Watch the "Paddling on the James" video. 

Chesterfield County is the perfect place to live and work...

as evidenced by American City Business Journals' ranking in May 2004 as the "17th Best Place to Live in America." But, did you know it's also a great place to play?

There are more than 30 public parks here featuring nearly 3,000 acres of green space, an abundance of historical landmarks and several sports complexes that include playing fields. Pocahontas State Park also is located in the county.

Chesterfield's central location on the eastern seaboard also places it within a one-day drive of 50 percent of the U.S. population. It's just two hours from Virginia Beach, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Washington, D.C.; Colonial Williamsburg is just an hour away, as are Kings Dominion and Busch Gardens theme parks.

The Chesterfield County Department of Parks and Recreation offers a steady array of athletic and sporting events, outdoor adventures, therapeutic recreation, special programs for senior adults, teens, families and persons with disabilities, historical tours and annual cultural events and holiday festivities. For more information, call (804) 748-1623.