Department Milestones
Milestones for 1970's
- June 12, 1969 - Board of Supervisors approved the Open Space and Recreation Plan for the Richmond Region, for acquiring and developing regional parks.
- April 14, 1971 - The first Director was hired for the Parks and Recreation Department in Chesterfield County: Carl Wise.
- County’s Recreation Resources Open Spaces Plan identified the need for the development of regional and local parks. The county purchased sites to create Ettrick and Matoaca parks.
- July 1975 - Rockwood Park opened.
- Spring 1976 - Ecoff, Matoaca, Ettrick and Harrowgate parks opened.
- March 1978 – A second Parks and Recreation director was hired, Phil Hester.
- 1978 - Tennis lessons, summer basketball league and camps, and arts and crafts classes began.
- 1979 - Final year of wildlife film series.
- Department operated a horse stable complex with 71 horse stalls, a western and English riding ring, judges, and concessions stands, and restrooms.
Milestones for 1980's
- During 1980’s, major expansion of recreation services into areas including sports, outdoor recreation, nature programs, historical tours, and activities for persons with disabilities and senior adults.
- 1980 - Dodd Park at Point of Rocks opened.
- 1981 - Huguenot Park and Robious Athletic Complex opened.
- 1982 - First Annual Chesterfield County Special Olympics track and field event.
- 1982 - May Fest was held at Point of Rocks Park.
- 1986 - Third Parks and Recreation director hired, M.D. Pete Stith, Jr.
- 1986 - Henricus Historical Park and Daniel Park at Iron Bridge opened.
- 1989 - Bensley Park and Woodlake Complex opened.
- 1989 - Eppington Plantation donated to the County.
Milestones for 1990's
- 1992 - Hosted first Banff Mountain Film Festival.
- 1993 - Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission was established.
- 1993 - Fourth Parks and Recreation director hired, Mike Golden.
- 1995 - Ettrick Community Building opened.
- 1995 - Horseback riding rings developed at fairgrounds.
- 1995 - Purchase of Horner Park property.
- 1996 - Parks Division began maintenance of school grounds.
- 1997 - Dedication of Henricus Visitor Center and Dutch Gap Conservation Area.
- 1998 - Robious Landing park opened.
- 1998 - Purchase of Pleasant View Schoolhouse.
Milestones for 2000's
- 2000 - Clover Hill Athletic Complex opened.
- 2004 - Brown and Williamson Conservation Area donated to County.
- 2004 - Mid-Lothian Mines Park opened.
- 2005 - Expansion of Rockwood Nature Center. Ruff House Dog Park opened at Rockwood Park.
- 2006 - Government Center Trail opened.
- 2007 - Miracle League field opened at Bird Athletic Complex.
- 2008 - Bridge opened at Dutch Gap Conservation Area creating a four-mile loop trail.
Milestones for 2010's
- 2010 - Radcliffe Conservation Area purchased.
- 2011 - Atkins Acres Park property acquired.
- 2013 - Synthetic fields installed at Stratton Park.
- October 2015 - Pickleball courts installed at Rockwood Park.
- 2016 - James River Conservation Area acquired.
- August 2016 - Fifth Parks and Recreation director hired, Dr. James Worsley.
- December 2016 - River City Sportsplex acquired.
- March 2018 - Stonebridge Recreation Center opened.
- September 2018 - Department obtained CAPRA accreditation.
- October 2018 - First Trunk or Treat event held.
- July 2019 - First Festival de Musica held.
- August 2019 - Rec-N-Roll mobile playground debuted.
- September 2019 - First Multicultural Community Cup held.
- December 2019 - First Santa Trail event held.
Milestones for 2020's
- October 2020 - Sixth Parks and Recreation director hired, Bob Smet.
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Parks and Recreation
Physical Address
12140 Harrowgate Road
Chester, VA 23831
Phone: 804-748-1623