Country life

Why does a rural county need parks?

Most people in Goochland believe protection of our rural character is vital. Rural, however, is a concept defined by the beholder. Denizens of River Road with public utilities and high speed internet believe that they live in the country.

Residents of the upper end of the county, far from the madding crowd and just about everything else, know that they are in the country and like their isolation just fine. Interestingly, neither group wants more new subdivisions in Goochland.

Why do people move to the “country” anyhow? Peace and privacy are high on the list followed by a simpler way of life and a better place to raise a family.

Kids. There’s the rub. Their needs are often best supplied by a community. Schools, playing fields, places to socialize so they don’t get into trouble are large-scale projects, which are often best provided by local government.

Never mind that in prehistoric times — when adults were young and everyone walked six miles to school in the snow uphill both ways — school, church, scouts and Four H provided ample diversion for the young. Times and expectations have changed.

Teams sports including soccer, softball, baseball and football build character, social and leadership skills and get the kids away from their computers and game consoles. The fellowship among the children and their families that is a by products of the activities builds and strengthens the community.

Thanks to the dedication and hard work of local citizens Goochland has a fine YMCA, another community builder. The gyms behind the administration building and former middle school also offer opportunities for organized recreation.


While the supervisors seemed to agree in theory that more fields were needed, until the recent purchase of parcels of land in Courthouse Village for a soccer complex and river front park, there was little action.

To his great credit, District 5 supervisor Jim Eads repeatedly advocated creation of a long term master plan for the county’s recreational needs complete with a cost estimate that can be used as the basis for a inclusion of a recreational bond referendum on a November ballot. Given the current economic climate, that referendum is a long way off, but the plan is in process.

The county invited citizen input on recreation needs and used that information to craft a Parks and Recreation master plan.

A meeting to discuss the plan, which can be viewed in its entirety at the Parks and Recreation portion of the county website www.co.goochland.va.us, will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21 in the county administration building.

The plan examines and addresses everything from soccer fields to a dog park. Using a level of service approach, needed facilities are quantified on a per capita basis. A cost estimate is also included.

Some of the facilities that are included in the master plan provide interesting insight about the county’s people.

If people move to Goochland for more land, why do they need a dog park, usually found in urban areas populated by apartment dwellers. Although high density housing options would address the paucity of workforce housing in the county, Goochland currently permits neither apartments nor townhouses, but a dog park is in the master plan.

On the other end of the spectrum, riding trails are included for the equestrian community. Many people seem to believe that they can buy a few acres here, get a horse and trespass on the neighbors’ property. Owners of ATVs have the same attitude.

Friction between those who would range freely and property owners who do not want their land trespassed on must be addressed.


Another beneficial aspect of this plan is that it gives a locus for development of future recreational facilities and the amount of land they will need.

A complete inventory of land owned by the county, including preservation tracts that are part of rural preservation subdivisions is part of the plan.

Under current Goochland ordinance, preservation tracts may be turned over to the county if a homeowner’s association decides that it no longer wishes to assume maintenance. While this loophole could provide additional recreation space, it could also plunk a soccer field in the middle of an otherwise quiet residential community.

The Plan talks about annual festivals and parades. Many people were disappointed that this year’s spring festival, a successor to Goochland Day, did not include a parade.

At the March, 2009 supervisors’ meeting, the parade was discussed. Sheriff Agnew pointed out that since the last Goochland Day parade was held in 2001, Courthouse Village has changed dramatically.

The new library, YMCA, Goochland Farmers Market and both traffic lights did not exist back then. The Courthouse Commons Shopping Center had not been built and River Road West had little traffic on Saturday morning.

Now, there is a lot going on. The traditional parade route that began at Company 5 and concluded at the Courthouse green, where Goochland Day was traditionally held, would be a mess. As the festival is centered on the football field on Sandy Hook Road, ending the parade at the Courthouse would create wide scale confusion.

A new route must be devised and planning for the parade should begin well in advance of the event to ensure robust participation. Why not have a homecoming parade, or one on the Fourth of July?

The Plan is an excellent start to what will be a long and fruitful conversation about recreational facilities in Goochland. Come to the meeting and add your thoughts.