Chesterfield
With nearly 60 public parks and 4,000 acres of green space, Chesterfield County offers many opportunities for residents and visitors to pursue recreation and outdoor leisure. The county is also home to many athletic complexes, making it a perfect place to participate in or watch sporting and athletic events. Located adjacent to Henricus Historical Park, the 810-acre Dutch Gap is considered one of the best birding sites on the East Coast including nesting bald eagles and a heron rookery. It has a bounty of woodlands, wildlife and waterways, plus fishing spots and six miles of trails. The James and Appomattox rivers are among the most historic rivers in the United States with some artifacts found along the James River dating back 11,000 years. Today, they continue to be an important part of the county’s economic development and recreational splendor. Whether you want to take a long walk with the dog, watch or participate in a sports tournament or learn more about the county’s history, Chesterfield County's Parks and Recreation Department has something to offer everyone. Here are some of Chesterfield county’s kid-friendly parks you can try out!

For more information about Chesterfield County Parks and Recreations, visit www.chesterfield.gov/parks.

Henrico County
When it comes to FUN, Henrico County is the place to be! Henrico currently owns almost 3,700 acres of parkland that includes athletic fields, playgrounds, hiking trails, fishing, disc golf courses, and more. Here is a list of some popular West End parks and what they have to offer. So grab the family and visit a local park. Enjoy a picnic, take a walk by the lake, swing on the playground, or play an impromptu game of soccer! The possibilities and fun times with your family are endless!

For more information on these parks or any of the other parks in Henrico County, please call 501-PARK (7275) or visit www.henricorecandparks.com. 

Hanover & Ashland
As a parent, you’ve probably heard the phrase, “I’m bored,” a million times. If your kids are saying this on a beautiful day, why not pack a picnic basket of their favorite goodies and head out to one of Hanover’s 11 or Ashland’s five parks. There’s plenty to do at each park, ranging from tot-lots at Hanover Wayside Park, roller hockey at Hanover’s Courthouse Park or swimming at Ashland’s Carter Park. If your kid has a big sports game coming up and wants to practice for it, you could take them to the basketball courts at Hanover’s South Taylor Street Park, the baseball mound at Hanover’s Montpelier Park or the soccer field at Hanover’s Poor Farm Park. Taking your kids out to explore all the options of these diverse parks is an experience they’ll remember, and it’ll be nice to get them away from the video games for a day. It’s sure to be a treat for you, as well, since they’ll be fast asleep on the car ride home! If this sounds like your idea of a great day, here are some kid-friendly parks you’ll definitely want to check out.

For more information about Hanover County Parks and Recreation, visit www.co.hanover.va.us/parksrec. For more information about Town of Ashland Parks, visit www.town.ashland.va.us.