Parks & Recreation - Parks And Recreation
Williamsburg area localities take recreation seriously and offer residents myriad options. Anyone interested in sports and recreation information should consult the Virginia Gazette’s sports section, which gives extensive coverage to local sports. Another good source of information is the James City County Parks and Recreation’s comprehensive seasonal publication, which is available at the JCC-Williamsburg Community Center, listed later in this chapter, and at other sites. Both the Williamsburg and York parks and recreation departments also publish lists that will let you know about recreational opportunities.
For those of you hoping to hit the links during your stay, please turn to our Golf chapter for information on area courses.
1. James City County Parks And Recreation
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 259-4200
Description: This department oversees a wide range of recreation programs throughout the county including those at the James City County–Williamsburg Community Center, the James River Community Center, Little Creek Reservoir, Mid County Park, and Upper County Park. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon through Fri.
2. Williamsburg Parks And Recreation Department
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 259-3760
Address: 202 Quarterpath Rd.
Description: Numerous recreation programs are available through this department, which also oversees Quarterpath Park, Waller Mill Park, and Kiwanis Park. The department’s regular office hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mon through Fri, although someone is on duty whenever the recreation center is open.
3. Back Creek Park
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 890-3850
Description: A free boat-launching facility keeps this 27-acre York County park hopping year-round. It is a U.S. Tennis Association award-winning park that also features a picnic area, restrooms, and six, well-maintained, lighted tennis courts.
4. Charles Brown Park
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 890-3500
Description: Named in memory of a Lackey resident and York County educator who demonstrated a keen interest in youth, this 10-acre park includes a baseball field, two basketball courts, two tennis courts, picnic shelter, playground area, and restrooms. A 3,000-square-foot community center on-site includes two small meeting rooms, one large meeting room, restrooms, and a small kitchen.
5. Chisman Creek Park
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 890-3852
Description: This 13-acre park was reclaimed from a fly ash site in 1991. It has two lighted softball fields, restrooms, and a parking lot. It includes skinned infields and irrigated outfields. It is used primarily for York County’s adult softball program in the spring and summer, and is used in the fall for youth soccer.
6. College Landing Park
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 220-6170
Description: This small park on the southern edge of town off South Henry Street is always open. It is built alongside a marsh and has picnic areas, a boat ramp, and a quiet boardwalk. It is wheelchair accessible.
7. Diascund Reservoir
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 259-4200
Description: This James City County reservoir, operated jointly with Newport News and the Division of Game and Inland Fisheries, is open to the public for boating and fishing. Public boat-landing hours are one hour before dawn to one hour after sunset. Electric trolling motors are the only ones allowed on the reservoir.
8. The Greensprings Trail
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 259-4200
Description: The 4.7-mile Greensprings Trail is a soft-surface hiking trail that consists of three interconnecting loops through rural landscapes. It includes a boardwalk over a beaver pond. It can be reached by parking at the tennis courts at Jamestown High School and following the dirt road to the left of the courts.
9. James City County District Park Sports Complex
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 259-4200
Description: This new 675-acre park being built by James City County is under development; plans call for numerous trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It will also have picnicking facilities as well as tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts. Long-range plans include an outdoor education center and an indoor/outdoor pool. The project is ongoing.
10. Kiln Creek Park
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 890-3500
Description: Located in the Kiln Creek community, this 21-acre York County park opened in 1999. The park features a lighted soccer field, lighted baseball field, youth softball/baseball field, two outdoor basketball courts, a playground, a picnic shelter, parking, and restrooms. The park is used primarily for the Little League baseball program and the youth soccer program.
11. Kiwanis Municipal Park
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 259-3760
Address: 123 Longhill Rd.
Description: Little League baseball fields, basketball courts, lighted tennis courts, a picnic shelter, and a playground and playground equipment make this Longhill Road park a local favorite. Besides a convenient location and many leisure activities, the park offers tennis classes.
12. Mid County Park
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 229-1232
Address: 3793 Ironbound Rd.
Description: Fitness trails, soccer, baseball, basketball, softball, tennis, and volleyball are a few of the recreational activities available at this James City County park, which is open daily from sunrise to dusk. Located off Route 199, Mid County also offers picnic shelters and Kidsburg, an all-volunteer, community-built children’s play area, parts of which are modeled on area attractions.
13. New Quarter Park
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 890-3500
Description: Near the Queens Lake area of Williamsburg, this 545-acre York County park is especially good for group activities. Family reunions, company picnics, business meetings, and the like often take place here, where people can enjoy boating, hiking, fishing from the piers, playing horseshoes, and picnicking in the pavilions. The park is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
14. Powhatan Creek Access
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 259-4200
Description: Listed on the Natural Resources Inventory, this facility provides access to Jamestown Island and the James River. It consists of a small-boat and canoe launch with parking for 20 vehicles.
15. Quarterpath Park And Recreation Center
City: Williamsburg, VA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (757) 259-3760
Address: 202 Quarterpath Rd.
Description: This park is home to some huge area sports leagues, and for good reason. Its facilities include free tennis and basketball courts (which are being renovated), an outdoor pool that’s open through Labor Day, three softball fields, a playground, and indoor courts for basketball or volleyball. For open-play volleyball, stop by between 6 to 9 p.m. on Thurs in the summer and 6 to 8 p.m. Sun the rest of the year. Or, if you prefer basketball, come by for open play daily from 1 to 5 p.m. Cost for either is $2. Morning aerobics classes are offered for a fee.