May, 2004 Update:
The City and County have
made arrangements with Piedmont
Virginia Community College to create an off-leash area for dogs but
it is up to the public to assist in fundraising to cover construction
costs. Call the City
of Charlottesville Parks Division at (434) 970-3589 to find out how
you can help!Trail renovation, including erosion control, is complete at Riverview Park. Renovations are in progress at Jackson Park. The County of Albemarle Parks and Recreation has begun work on the creation of a new county park at the end of Woodburn Road at the boat launch to facilitate reservoir access. |
As of January, 2002, the City has a
leash
law which requires that dogs be on a leash and under control in all
city
parks, except for inside the fenced off-leash area at Azalea Park, and
for certain designated portions of Riverview Park only on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Pay attention to the
signs! Violations
of the City leash law are a Class 4 Misdemeanor.
Darden Towe Park, although jointly funded by the City, is a County park governed by County regulations. Dogs must be on leash and under control in Darden Towe except for inside the fenced off-leash area located about 200 feet east of the picnic shelter. (The picnic shelter is located at the north end of the upper parking lot.) Remember, since 2001 the City also has a law requiring cleanup of dog feces -- look for the plastic poop bag dispensers/waste containers in the parks. Failure to clean up after a dog in your care is a Class 4 misdemeanor. |
Park Name
County parks and those with fees are labelled |
Dogs Allowed? |
Size (acres) |
Play- ground? |
Swimming? | Fishing? | Sports facilities, activities? |
Walking trails? |
Azalea | Yes
(off-leash, fenced-in dog area) |
23 | Yes | No | No | Basketball Softball Volleyball poles (no net -- bring your own) |
Yes -- access to Rivanna Trails |
Bailey | Yes (on-leash only) |
Mini-park (0.33 acre) |
No | No | No | No | No |
Belmont | Yes (on-leash) | 3.1 | Yes | spray pool | No | Basketball | No |
Beaver
Creek (County) |
Yes (on-leash only) |
115 land 104 water |
No | No | Yes | No | ? |
Chris
Greene Lake (County) summer admission fee |
Yes (on-leash only) |
120 land 62 water |
? | Yes; 2 beach acres |
Yes | boat launch, canoe rental |
Yes |
Claudius Crozet (Private park in county) |
? | 22 land 1 water |
Yes | Swimming pool |
? | Baseball Basketball Horseshoe Arts & Crafts Festival |
? |
Cove Creek (Private park in county) |
? | ? | ? | No | No | Baseball, softball |
? |
Darden
Towe (County) |
Yes
(Off-leash, fenced-in dog area) |
110 | Yes | No | Yes | softball, tennis, boat launch, multi-use fields, shelter |
Yes |
Dorrier
(County) |
? | 2 | No | No | No | softball, soccer, tennis |
No |
Fifeville | Yes (on-leash) | Mini-park (0.66 acre) |
Yes | No | No | Basketball | No |
Forest Hills | Yes (on-leash) | 7.6 | Yes | Wading pool | No | Basketball Softball |
No |
Greenbrier | Yes (on-leash) | 28.3 | No | No | No | No | Yes -- part of Rivanna Trails |
Greenleaf | Yes (on-leash) | 14 | Yes | Spray pool | No | Basketball | Yes -- short nature walk |
Ivy Creek Natural Area (County) |
No Pets | 215 | No | No | Yes | No; quiet walking and nature observation only |
6+ miles |
Jackson | Yes (on-leash only) |
0.4 | No | No | No | No | No |
Jordan | Yes (on-leash) | 3.1 | Yes | No | No | Basketball | Yes -- part of Rivanna Trails |
Lee | Yes (on-leash only) |
1.04 | No | No | No | No | No |
McGuffey | Yes (on-leash only) |
1.1 | Yes | No | No | Basketball | No |
McIntire | Yes (on-leash) | 135.4 | Yes | Wading pool | No | Golf Softball Skateboard Picnic shelters |
2
miles thru woods created 2006 |
Meade | Yes (on-leash) | 5.2 | Yes | Pool | No | Basketball Softball |
No |
Meadowcreek | Yes (on-leash) | 20 | No | No | No | No -- only garden plots |
No |
Mint
Springs (County) summer admission fee |
Yes
(on-leash only) |
504 land 8 water 2 beach |
Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 3+ miles |
Northeast | Yes (on-leash) | 4.8 | Yes | No | No | Basketball | No |
Pen | Yes (on-leash only) |
280 | Yes | No | No | Tennis Volleyball Golf Walking Picnic shelters |
Yes |
Quarry | Yes (on-leash) | 7.5 | No | No | No | 2 ball fields | Yes -- part of Rivanna Trails |
Riverview
/ Rivanna Greenbelt |
Yes
(partial off-leash) |
26.6 | Yes | No | No | Biking Jogging |
2.5 miles -- part of Rivanna Trails |
Rives | Yes (on-leash) | 4.3 | Yes | No | No | Basketball Playing field |
No |
Ragged Mtn.
Natural Area (County) |
No Pets | 980 land 65 water |
No | No | Yes | No; quiet walking and nature observation only |
7 miles |
Shenandoah National Park |
Yes (on-leash only) |
197,411 | No | Yes | Yes, with some exceptions |
Hiking Camping |
500+ miles |
Simpson
Park (County) Located on Route 627 in Esmont across from Yancey Elementary. Closes daily one hour after dark. |
Yes (on-leash only) |
13.6 | No | Spray pool | No | 1 Basketball court 2 Tennis courts Little League field Multi-use field Soccer small Picnic shelter with one grill |
No |
Starr Hill | Yes (on-leash only) |
Mini-park (0.4 acre) |
No | No | No | No | No |
Tonsler | Yes (on-leash only) | 7.4 | Yes | No | No | Basketball Tennis Softball Rec. Center |
No |
Totier
Creek (County) |
Yes (on-leash only) |
144 land 66 water |
No | No | Yes | boat launch | ? |
Walnut
Creek (County) summer admission fee |
Yes (on-leash only) |
480 land 45 water 2 beach |
No | Yes | Yes | boat launch canoe rental Mtn. biking hiking running |
15 miles |
Booker T. Washington | Yes (on-leash) | 9.3 | Yes | Pool | No | Basketball Softball Rec. Center |
No |
Charlotte
Humphris (formerly Whitewood) (no public parking) |
Yes (on-leash only) |
23 |
No | No | No | walking | 1 mile |
Information on Virginia's State Parks can be found here. |