As of January, 2002, a city-wide leash law went into effect for all city parks, with the exception of inside the fenced off-leash area at Azalea Park and in designated portions here on the Rivanna Greenbelt trail ONLY on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays.  This time-sharing plan for off-leash activity is being conducted on a 6 month trial basis; successful compliance will determine if it is extended.  Pay attention to the signs designating the off-leash portions of the trail!  And City code requires people to clean up after pets that are in their care in the park.  A dispenser/waste receptacle near the kiosk provides dog owners with plastic waste removal bags for this purpose. 

Failure to comply with the leash law and dog waste removal law is a Class 4 misdemeanor.

The Rivanna Greenbelt is a handicapped-accessible paved trail that starts at Riverview Park and meanders north about 1.25 miles to Free Bridge / Route 250 Bypass East (at the base of Pantops) along the Rivanna river. The Greenbelt is actually a public right-of-way across private property but it is maintained by Parks and Grounds; please respect the adjacent private property by staying on the paved trail.

The Greenbelt is also part of the Rivanna Trail, a pedestrian trail system that encircles the City and which is maintained by a private non-profit foundation.