A walk in the park

 

Goochland’s parks are a good place to get outside and take a walk.

On June 1, the supervisors joined Parks and Recreation staff; Scott Foster, Director of General Service; and members of the Friends of Goochland Parks and the Tucker Park Task Force to cut the ribbon on the newly completed walkway under the Maidens Bridge along the James River. Bisected by busy Rt. 522, connecting both sides of the park was long thought to be an unattainable goal.

Cutting the ribbon on the Tucker Park connector

“This is the fulfillment of a plan drawn on a napkin at the White Hawk Café by the late Don Charles, former Deputy County administrator. It looks very much like the original sketch. A lot of people have had a hand making this park what it is today,” said Jessica Kronberg, Director of Parks and Recreation. Indeed, Charles’ vision, though dismissed by some as impossible, planted the seeds for the connector, which have blossomed.

The county obtained grant funds for the project, which was initially conceived as an asphalt path under the bridge. In 2019, John K. George and Company, which has extensive experience in building walkways over or near bodies of water, submitted a bid to the county to build the connector for the amount of money available. The stars aligned and the project was completed earlier this year.

The connector curves under the bridge for an up close view of the river

Foster said that the final project is the result of a team effort the work of many hands in most county departments.

County Administrator Kenneth Young said the project is exciting. He thanked the Friends of Goochland Parks for their role in the project. The walkway, supported by massive timbers—purchased before the cost of lumber skyrocketed—curves gently under the bridge above the river. The connector extends trails that wind around the west side of the park.

Walking trails, picnic tables, an archery range, a canoe launch, dog “barks”, and rare access to the James River are other features of Tucker Park. The Goochland Rotary Club has plans to add a grilling area.

The canoe launch at Tucker Park

Tucker Park is not the only park in the county system. During Covid lockdowns, Goochland Parks were well used and offer many nice walking opportunities.

Leake’s Mill Park, on the south side of Rt. 6 west of Rock Castle Road, has fields for soccer and lacrosse, a playground, walking trails, one of which leads to the ruins of the mill, and a system of well-regarded mountain bike trails. Earlier this year, Parks and Rec offered guided nature walks, which, sadly, were poorly attended.

Ruins of Leake's Mill can be accessed by trail.

Hidden Rock Park, near the animal shelter and central convenience center, has a recently completed walking trail from the “dog barks” at the foot of the hill to the animal shelter. The Goochland Rotary Club built a “boardwalk” over a damp potion of this walkway.

A two-mile trail through densely wooded parcels in Courthouse Village can be accessed behind the Fire-Rescue Office, which is at the back of the Courthouse Complex.

The walking trail planned for Matthews Park, north of Hadensville-Fife Road, is not yet complete.

Completion of the initial phase of an east end trail system, from the West Creek Emergency Center to the Hardywood Craft Brewery, though being deigned, is not expected for a few years, according to Kronberg.

A local non-profit whose volunteers raise money for county parks, promote them, and contribute sweat equity to continually improve them, Friends of Goochland Parks (https://www.friendsofgoochlandparks.com/) is yet another group of people that makes Goochland a great place to live. In normal years, the group hosts a Riverfest fund raising event. Hope it will be back in 2021.