Park & Playground Picks

The Richmond area is full of fun parks & playgrounds.  The ones listed below are the Completely Kids top picks – they have something special, even out of the ordinary, to offer kids of all ages.  If you have a park or playground you think makes the grade – email and tell us about it!

A Playground for Katie and Friends at Huguenot Park

10901 Robious Road, Midlothian, VA 23113 
Located in the 56 acres of Huguenot Park is a wheel chair accessible playground with adaptive play equipment for all children – regardless of ability or disability.  Kids of all ages enjoy the sandboxes, ramp structures and swings.  To get a better feel for the park, take a look at the photos online.

Parking:  Parking is located right at the playground entrance.

Restrooms:  Restrooms are located in the building adjacent to the play area.

 

canal-walkCanal Walk

The Canal Walk is a 1.25 mile walk along James River’s north bank and Kanawha Canal from Tredegar Iron Works on 5th Street to 17th Street.  Pedestrian entrances are available at Tredegar Iron Works, 7th, 12th, 14th, 15th and 17th and Virginia streets.  Moms beware – the entire 1.25 miles of the Canal Walk is not stroller friendly! Boat tours are available from the Turning Basin at 14th and Dock Streets.  They offer a 35 min historical narrated tour of James River and Kanawha Canal.  Call Richmond Canal Cruises  at 804.649-2800 for more information.

 

Crump Park Playground & Meadow Farm Museum

3400 Mountain Road,  Glen Allen, VA 23060
Meadow Farm/Crump Park has a playground with all kinds of fabulous equipment for kids.  The toddler area is huge with three miniature houses, a fire truck, a train, and a climbing apparatus with slides.  The park also has a giant  piece of play equipment for older children to enjoy that includes multiple slides, monkey bars and a crank-driven platform.  This is a  well laid out playground for families with kids of all ages.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAMeadow Farm/Crump Park is also home to a 19th century farm and museum.  For  more information visit our ‘Animals‘ section.

Parking:  If you enter the park from Mountain Road, the first two parking lots you come upon will give you the best access to the playground and picnic area.

Restrooms:   Restrooms are located at the playground and museum areas.

Pictures of Crump Park Playground:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deep Run Park

9900 Ridgefield Parkway, Richmond, VA 23233
Deep Run is a 167 acre park that has a little bit of everything.  Two playgrounds, two ponds that are stocked for fishing, soccer fields, picnic shelters, paved trails, a nature pavilion and a recreation center.  There is a playground for little ones with little equipment close to the large pond near the entrance.   The second larger playground for kids of all ages in the back of the park.  It has a castle with slides, a kinds of swings, monkey bars, and other fun equipment.  Most important –  this playground is shaded!

Parking:  Parking is located throughout the park and close to all the playgrounds.

Restrooms:  Restrooms are located in a building adjacent to the large playground in the back of the park and in the recreation center.

Pictures of the Larger Playground in Deep Run Park:

 

Humphrey Calder Community Center Playground

414 N. Thompson Street,  Richmond, VA 23221
This city park is different from most because it is covered with sand and overlooks I-195 and a major railway artery.  Children of all ages are thrilled when trains pass by below and they often idle, so kids can get a great look at all the train cars.  There is a toddler friendly area with swings, slide, seesaw and miniature train; and older children will love the huge corkscrew slide.

Parking:  Parking can be tricky since Thompson is a one-way street.  The best approach is from Grove Avenue, head north on Thompson and look for the brown parking signs that point to a lot behind the fire station and community center.  Or use the off-street parking on the neighboring side streets. Restrooms:  There is restroom access at the playground and in the community center when open.

Pictures of Humphrey Calder Playground:

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Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens

1800 Lakeside Avenue, Richmond, VA 23228 Phone: 804.262.9887
Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens is a by far the most beautiful garden in all of Richmond.  There are so many different varieties and styles of gardens to enjoy including; Asian, Rose, Healing, Perennial, and Water Gardens.  There is also a beautiful Conservatory that houses plants from around the globe.  The garden is almost entirely stroller and wheelchair accessible.  Check Lewis Ginter’s website or call for details on hours and fees.

Don’t miss the Children’s Garden complete with a 13 foot high tree house, giant sandbox, and miniature playhouses designed after villages around the world.  Kids also enjoy climbing the 100 year old mulberry tree and splashing around in the water play area in the summertime.

Older kids enjoy Kids Quest, the self directed garden treasure hunt.  The theme and treasures change every month or so.  Maps are located in the visitor center and each item is noted with a special Kid’s Quest sign to identify it.  Upon completion children receive a special reward.  And don’t miss the GardenFest of Lights event that is held each year between Thanksgiving and the new year.

Visit the website for additional information on membership and special events for families.

Parking:  Free Parking is available around the Visitor’s Center.

Restrooms:  Are located in the Visitor’s Center, and behind the Children’s Garden.

 

Lombardy Park

1500 Hanover Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220 at Hanover and Park Avenues. 
It is a great place for toddlers and preschoolers who enjoy the sandbox and fun playground equipment. There’s a rock wall and bridge.  It’s a smaller type neighborhood park but lots of fun.

Parking:   Only on-street parking available for one hour blocks of time. Watch out for the meter maid!

 

James River Park

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPhone: 804.646.8911
The James River Park System is the largest park in Richmond, encompassing 500+ acres along the banks of the James River.  This park offers opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, jogging, swimming, hiking, rock-climbing, fishing, boating, sunning, and bird watching.  Two of the most popular areas within the park system are Belle Isle and Pony Pasture.  To really enjoy your visit, avoid peak weekend afternoons.

Belle Isle
300 Tredegar Street, Richmond VA 23219
Belle Isle is found downtown (near the financial district) in the middle of the James River. The island is the site of a notorious Civil War prison and the remains of a historic iron foundry are still visible.  Belle Isle can be accessed from the northside of the River by a pedestrian bridge suspended directly under the Lee Bridge.   Free parking is available in the Belle Isle parking lot just past the Tredegar Iron Works or along 5th Street, a porta potty is located on the island. Older kids enjoy riding their bikes across the bridge and around the island trail (approx one mile), wading in the shallows of the river, sunbathing, and climbing on the rocks when water levels are low.

Pony Pasture
7310 Riverside Drive, Richmond VA 23225
Pony Pasture is located on the south bank of the James a mile or so east from the Huguenot Bridge on Riverside Drive.   There is ample parking and restrooms.  Pony Pasture offers walking and bike trails, bird watching, rock climbing, and fishing.

 

Maymont

1700 Hampton Street,  Richmond, VA  23220   Phone:  804.358.7166
Maymont is a 100 acre park located in the heart of the city and includes a Nature Center, Japanese and Italian Gardens, the Maymont house, and a Children’s Farm.  Check Maymont’s website or call for details on hours and fees.   If you visit the park with little ones, be sure to bring a stroller, this park is enormous and has lots of hills.

  • The Nature Center interprets the natural environment of the James River. A 20-foot waterfall cascades into one of 13 giant, linked aquariums that are home to playful river otters, turtles and indigenous species of fish.
  • The Italian Garden features exquisite stonework, statuary, gazebos, and fountains, as well as beautiful trees and flowers.   It is a popular location for weddings.
  • The Japanese Garden landscape contrasts strongly with the formality of the Italian Garden. A Japanese Garden Guide and Map (available for purchase at the Visitor Center) provides interpretive information, including Japanese history and symbolism.
  • The Maymont House Museum is a Victorian-age, 33-room home, once owned by the Dooley family.  It is a well-preserved example of Gilded Age design with twelve restored rooms on the first and second floors available for viewing during guided tour hours.
  • The Children’s Farm and Barn is a kiddie favorite.  It is located at the Spottswood Road Entrance.  At the Children’s Farm youngsters can visit all kinds of animals; pot-bellied pigs, rabbits, peacocks, chickens, goats, horses, foxes, and bears, just to name a few. For more details about the Children’s Farm, visit our Animals link under Outings.

Directions and Entrances:  There are three entrances to Maymont, so make sure to get directions.

Parking:  Free Parking is located at each entrance.

Restrooms are located in the Nature & Visitor Center, near the Bear Exhibit, at the Maymont House, and at the Children’s Farm.

 

Pocahontas State Park

10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield, VA 28382.
Just 20 miles from downtown Richmond, this 7900-acre park is a popular park for families! There is boating, picnicking, camping, hiking, a kiddie pool, leisure and activity pools, rowboats, paddleboats, kayak & canoe rentals and more.  The lake is 150-acres and you can even fish here! There are more than 80 miles of trails open for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Kids can run and play for hours. Plenty of picnic areas and bathrooms.

 

Pouncey Tract Park

Pouncey Tract Road, Henrico, VA 23228.
A small park with a baseball field, volleyball fields, and playground.  This is a great park for families with multiple little ones because they can see almost the entire playground at one time.

Pictures of Pouncey Tract Playground:

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Powhatan State Park

4616 Powhatan State Park Road, Powhatan, Virginia 23139
The 1,564 acre Powhatan State Park has 2.5 miles of frontage along the southern bank of the James River. The land, originally part of the Beaumont Correctional Center, was transferred from the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation for use as a state park in 2003.  For more information on all of Virginia’s award-winning Virginia State Parks go to the website, or call toll-free 1-800-933-PARK (7275).

 

Rockwood Park

3401 Courthouse Road, Richmond, VA 23236.  Phone: 804.748.1623
This is a fun park for all ages. It’s Chesterfield County’s oldest and most popular park, this  site features a complex of ball fields and tennis courts, a nature center, an archery range, Ruff House Dog Park, garden plots and a system of 5 nature trails. There are 7 baseball fields, 3 outdoor basketball courts, 9 tennis courts, a 5.5 mile walking trail suitable for all ages (some inclines and hills), a nature center, dog park and fun playground.

 

Short Pump Park

3401 Pump Road, Richmond, VA. 
This park is right behind Short Pump Elementary School and you enter to see the baseball field. There’s also a football field. The park is behind the fields as you pass through the picnic area. There are fun slides, and great structures for small children. There’s even a small play house and some baby swings. Kids will enjoy the rock wall too. This is a great park for toddlers.

Bathrooms: Nice and clean (look for sign that says “Home of the Kanawha Redskins”)

 

Springfield Park

4600 Springfield Road, Richmond VA
Springfield Park has fun playgrounds with structures that are safely enclosed with metal rails. Kids love running through the maze of the structure and you don’t have to worry about them falling off! There are cool tubes for sliding down too. You can enjoy a picnic and they even have special little toys for babies.

 

Three Lakes Nature Center

400 Sausiluta Drive,  Richmond, VA 23227   Phone: 804.261.8230
The Three Lakes Nature Center  is a 90-acre community park.  It is home to a 50,000 gallon fresh water aquarium where kids can see the view from under the water.  There are also small habitats for all kinds of turtles, snakes, and salamanders.  Other exhibits include information on the woodland forest and wetlands.

There are gravel trails that circle the three man-made lakes; each is approximately a quarter to half mile in length.  Fishing is permitted on two of the lakes.

Three Lakes Park also has an extensive playground with all sorts of equipment for kids of all ages, including a pirate ship for little tots, and an intricate spider web and rock wall for older ones. Free.  Closed on Mondays.

Parking:  Parking is conveniently located between the playground and nature center.

Restrooms:   Restrooms are located in the nature center when open and by the playground.

 

LOCAL PARK SYSTEM WEBSITES

City of Richmond Parks – General Information:  804.646.5733

Henrico County Parks – General Information:  804.501.7275

Hanover County Parks – General Information:  804.365.4595

Chesterfield County Parks – General Information:  804.748.1623

Virginia Division of State Parks – General Information:  800.933.PARK