The Best Parks in Charlottesville
The Charlottesville area boasts quite a few parks, some are hidden away in neighborhoods, others are home to weekly farmer’s markets and pick up basketball games, while others are known for their water features that are so popular in the summertime.
There’s something for everyone – families, sports enthusiasts and students – from parks with plenty of walking trails to those that have golf, tennis and swimming facilities to those with playground equipment that will keep even adults amused.
Here’s a quick tour:
Azalea Park
Located just off Old Lynchburg Road before it hits Fifth Street Extended, this park consists of 23 acres of level land. The city secured the land in two acquisitions from the Bellmead Corporation in 1965. On the south side is Moore’s Creek, which winds its way along the entire length of the park. Available are two paved parking areas and recreational facilities, which include a Little League baseball field, a concession stand, basketball courts, swing sets, and a playground.
There are 30’X30′ garden plots which can be rented to area residents. For information on renting a plot, call (434) 970-3592.
There’s a stepping stone ford to the Rivanna Trail system – which connects in a circle around the city – at the south end of the gardens.
A fenced-in area is provided for off-leash dog activities. Park hours are 6 am to 9 pm.
Bailey Park
Bailey Mini-Park is a landscaped area located at the corner of U.S. 250 Bypass and Hillcrest Road. The 0.33 acres of land were given to the city by Jon Bailey in 1979 to be used as a park dedicated to the memory of his parents, Annie Mae and Tilly Bailey.
Although this once was a shady spot that offered a quiet place to sit, the new construction of the John Warner Parkway changed the landscape and new plantings have gone in.
Belmont Park
Belmont Park is bounded by Stonehenge Avenue, Rialto Street and Druid Avenue. The 3.1 acres of land were bought by Paul Goodloe McIntire in 1921 and transferred to the city to be used as a park and playground for local citizens. There’s a full basketball court, benches, swing set and playground equipment, large shady oak trees and a courtyard with shelter for outdoor concerts.
The latest addition to this park is the spray ground, which is operated by a touch pad, recycles the water and is operational daily from 9 am to 8 pm.
Fifeville Park
Fifeville Park is a neighborhood park of 0.66 acres located within Grove, Spring and King Streets. The land was a gift of H.W. Walsh and five other trustees who in 1949 formally set it aside for the residents of the Fifeville District. The fenced-in park land rises above the surrounding streets and contains a basketball court, a shelter and playground.
Park hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Forest Hills Park
Oak trees and a view of Carter’s Mountain highlight the 7.35 acres that make up this popular park, which was originally known as Forest Park. Located on Forest Hills Avenue, the city acquired the property from J. Hubert and Dorothy Carver in 1955.
The new and improved Forest Hills Park, which includes a fantastic expanded spray ground, was re-opened to the public on May 15, 2010. The park is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Greenbrier Park
This park consists of 28.3 acres of undeveloped area located in the Greenbrier neighborhood with walking/biking trails along Meadow Creek. Greenbrier Marsh is believed to be one of only two such natural marshes in the Virginia Piedmont region. A footbridge spans the creek; many neighborhood school children use it to walk to Greenbrier School.
Greenbrier Park benefited from the Meadowcreek Stream Restoration project. It was deeded to the City by the Greenbrier Corporation in 1965. The Rivanna Trails Foundation trails pass through Greenbrier park.
The park is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parking is available on nearby streets.
Greenleaf Park
Home to the mighty turtle that a generation of city kids has played on for years, Greenleaf Park consists of 14 acres of grassy hillsides with hardwood and evergreen trees. The land was part of McIntire Park until the construction of Route 250 Bypass cut it off from the rest of the park. At that time it became a neighborhood park with its own identity.
Greenleaf offers a playground area, including equipment for children ages 2-5 years old, a picnic shelter, seasonal restrooms, and a half-basketball court. The park has a touch sensitive spray ground featuring a mushroom fountain and an interactive water pole. A wide soft surface trail follows the creek near the 250 bypass and connects the park to Walker School as well as natural trails leading to Plymouth Road.
McGuffey Park
Adults and kids alike go to this park to spin themselves silly on spinner bowls and other contraptions at this popular park located near the Downtown Mall, known as an urban park in its own right.
This neighborhood park of 1.1 acres sits atop a hill next to the McGuffey Art Center at Second Street N.W. and Jefferson Street. A 2007 renovation established the park as one of the premier play facilities in the area.
The renovations, funded in conjunction with the McGuffey Friends and the Charlottesville Community Design Center, include a sunken basketball court, a “weeping water well” water feature, spicas, spinner bowls, swings and a circular bike path. Much of the equipment is unique not just to the park but to the region and state as well.
In 1945, this land was donated by the City to the Charlottesville School Board; in 1974, the School Board gave the land and adjoining school back to the city as a gift to become the McGuffey Art Center and to form McGuffey Park.
The park is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Mcintire Park
Most locals know this park as the place to go for the April Dogwood Festival, Fourth of July Fireworks and softball & baseball games. It contains land originally donated by Paul Goodloe McIntire and other lands purchased from multiple property owners, and continues to be one of the most popular parks in the City.
Located off the Route 250 Bypass, it features views of the mountains to the east, and a heavily wooded area with steep and varied topography and winding streams. There’s a major community focus on the lighted softball fields, baseball field, and the three shelters which are used extensively from spring to fall.
In the southeastern half of the park, lies a seven-hole sand green golf course – two of the holes were swallowed up by the John Warner Parkway construction, and the skateboard park, as well as a playground. The wading pool will eventually be taken out.
There are nature trails in the west end of the park near picnic shelters and a new bridge to Charlottesville High School. Near the intersection of the Bypass and McIntire Road is the Dogwood Vietnam Memorial.
McIntire park was originally larger than its current size. Of the original 150 acres, approximately 130 lie north of the 250 bypass with 55 acres on the west side of the railroad tracks, and 75 acres on the east side. 49 acres of land north of Melbourne Road have been acquired as new City parkland to replace that used by the John Warner Parkway.
Park hours are 6 a.m to 10 p.m. There are separate entrances to the three major parts and parking is available at each. The new Brooks Family YMCA being built in the main section is expected to be completed by July 2017.
Meade Park
The latest entry in the “best water parks” category is Meade Park, which is located at the corner of Meade Avenue and Chesapeake Street on 5.2 acres. The state-of-the art Onesty Family Aquatic Center opened in the summer of 2009. The park also has a playground with tot area for children ages 2-5 years old, picnic shelter and a farmer’s market on Wednesday evenings.
Off-street parking is provided. The park is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Meadow Creek Gardens
Like Azalea Park, Meadow Creek Gardens offers residents a chance to have their own garden plot. Originally acquired in 1963 as a park, Meadow Creek Gardens has since evolved into a set of 73 garden plots where residents can rent space to grow flowers and vegetables. The remainder of the 20 acre park has been left undeveloped.
The gardens are located off Morton Drive near the intersection of Emmet Street and 250 Bypass behind the English Inn. Meadow Creek meanders through the woods along the entire southeastern portion of the park. The Rivanna Trail system runs through this park.
The park is also the location of a 9-hole disc golf course that opened in 2015.
For information on renting a plot, call (434) 970-3592.
Northeast Park
If you like more out of the way parks, Northeast might suit quite well. It is a 4.8 acre neighborhood park acquired in 1975 and located at the corner of Sheridan Avenue and Calhoun Street.
There’s a full basketball court and playground facilities with tot area for children ages 2-5 years old. A footbridge connects the park to Marshall Street. Picnic tables are available. The City acquired the adjacent 6.5 acre “Davis Field” property – better known on as the soccer field no one can ever find – to expand the park
The Park is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Parking is available on the street.
Pen Park
Charlottesville’s oldest named park, Pen Park is the “go-to” park for county and city residents alike. Located off East Rio Road just past the Riverrun developments and Catholic School, it’s often referred to as the “gem” of the City park system.
Pen Park is the largest park in the City and it is from this park that Park Street takes its name. This area of land has kept its name for more than 200 years; by 1979 the city acquired the last of the park’s 280 acres.
In addition to sweeping vistas of mountains and open rolling land in all directions, the park offers recreational opportunities for all ages. There are eight tennis courts, a Little League baseball field with batting cage, volleyball court, three outdoor picnic shelters, and a playground with tot area for children ages 2-5 years old.
The 18-hole Meadowcreek Golf Course – built to replace the Mcintire golf course – has a clubhouse and pro shop, but dogs are not allowed on the course. Walkers and runners can enjoy an outdoor physical fitness course with 10 exercise stations winding through the natural setting toward the Rivanna River, where a 1.5-mile long trail winds along the river at the end of the nature trail.
Quarry Park
The 9.1 acre Quarry Park is located off of Monticello Avenue/Route 20 South on Quarry Road at the southern edge of the city. One major baseball field, one minor baseball field and a t-ball field with a concession stand and restrooms comprise the recreational amenities.
A parking lot near the restrooms, and some off-street parking are available. The park has views of the nearby mountains and includes a portion of Moores Creek. The City acquired an additional 12 acres of land in 2014 to expand the park, including the site of the quarry the park is named for.
The Rivanna Trail, a system of foot trails in and around the city and maintained by the non-profit Rivanna Trails Foundation, runs near Quarry Park, which is also a stop on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
The Park is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Riverview Park
For walkers, bikers and runners, Riverview Park is the start of one of the prettiest trails in the city – the Rivanna Trail – and is quite popular on nice weekends.
Riverview Park is located at the end of Chesapeake Street at the eastern city limits and consists of 26.6 acres bordering the river. This land was donated by Riverview Cemetery in 1974 for use as public space and by 1989 it was renovated into a park.
With a large paved parking area, kiosk, playground, benches and an open field, this park is ideal for picnickers and families. The park is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Rivanna Trail is a handicapped-accessible paved trail that starts at Riverview Park and meanders north about 2.3 miles crossing under Free Bridge and Route 250 East along the Rivanna river. The trail is a public right-of-way across private property which is maintained by Parks and Recreation; please respect the adjacent private property by staying on the path. Riverview Park is also a stop on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail
This trail is also part of the Rivanna Trails Foundation system, a pedestrian trail that encircles the City and is maintained by a private non-profit foundation.
Rives Park
A neighborhood park, 4.3 acres in size, it consists of flat open space with a view of Carter’s Mountain in the distance, and is located on Rives Street between Monticello and Florence Roads, near Quarry Park. Featured are a basketball court, athletic field, two picnic shelters, playground with tot area for children ages 2-5 years old, restrooms and walking paths.
Tonsler Park
Tonsler Park is one of the busiest parks in Charlottesville. Its location on Cherry Avenue at 5th Street S.W. makes it a popular place to congregate. Small children, teenagers and families gather to enjoy the recreation center, tennis courts, life-size chess board, lighted basketball courts, little league field, and extensive playground equipment.
Originally acquired in 1946, by 1978 the park was expanded to its present size of 8.72 acres. The park is named after Benjamin Tonsler, a local educator during segregation. There are tennis courts also available.
The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Off-street parking is provided by the tennis courts and in front of the recreation center.
Washington Park
Washington Park sits on land deeded to the City in 1926 by Paul Goodloe McIntire to be used as a public park and playground. During the 2001 African-American Cultural Arts Festival, the park originally known as Washington Park was re-dedicated as Booker T. Washington Park. Booker T. Washington was a close friend of Charlottesville educator Benjamin Tonsler whom he met while in college.
The park has 9.25 acres, but remains one of the most heavily used parks. It has a lighted outdoor pool with a wading area and bath house, three basketball courts (including a lighted court on the upper level), a recreation building with restrooms and a playground area. The sloping land drops spectacularly to a level plain far below where park patrons can enjoy a regulation softball field, basketball courts, multi-use field, picnic shelter and tot play area.
Washington Park is the site for the Annual African-American Cultural Arts Festival every summer. The festival welcomes people of all backgrounds to listen to the storyteller, watch the performers, and discover more about local and national African American history and the contributions of African Americans to our community. Contact Leslie Harris-Scott at (434) 980-3164 for more information.
The new playground and picnic shelter were given to the City by the Dave Matthews Band. The drainage, seeding and grading for the third phase of the Washington Park renovations were funded by a generous grant by the Perry Foundation.
A wooden boardwalk, including a ramp for handicap access, have been added to make Washington Park’s bog garden more accessible. New plants have been added including both native and non-native bog plant varieties. Future plans include permanent plant labeling, educational brochure and bog garden walks to educate and involve the public in our unique micro-habitat.
The park is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. There are parking lots at both upper and lower levels.
