I drive from SC to CT and back twice a year and typically stop at a different dog park in Richmond but decided to switch it up this year. On the way up, we stopped at the Byrd Park dog park. It was clean, well shaded, had running water available, and even the human portapotties were clean and in the shade (a miracle!). The dogs that were there with us were well behaved and the owners seemed to be paying attention and interacting with them, always a good sign. On the way back, we parked at the little pond and walked around for a little while. It was a little too warm to do multiple laps, but it was a great view and, again, very clean. I think we'll be making Byrd Park a regular part of our journey from now on. read more

Richmond is home to many top-tier, well-maintained parks, and Byrd Park is no exception. The park is host to many events throughout the year, has cherry blossoms in the spring, and the foliage is lovely in the fall. It's a great place to go walking or catching up with friends. Parking is abundant as well. read more

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Beautiful park. Beautiful nature. Beautiful fountain. Came here for a farmers market but I will be returning for a picinic! Felt very serene and it's a in very nice neighborhood ! read more

Last weekend, I visited the tiny water section close to Boulevard where all the geese hang out for a mini picnic with my partner. While that section is really pretty, it is usually quite dirty. However, on this visit they recently cleaned it and it was spotless! No usual geese poop everywhere. I loved how clear the water was. We saw four different turtles pop their head out of the water which was beyond adorable. Byrd Park has a lot of things to do. There are workout sections, trails for walkers and bikers, picnic spots, an amphitheatre with shows in the summer, and great pond views. It's a charming spot to enjoy the summer weather. read more

Fond memories flood my mind whenever I come to Byrd Park! Being a longtime Richmonder, this park at the end of the Boulevard, brings back reflections of the big, gorgeous lake and times when my dad would take our family to ride the pedal boats! There were 9 kids so we made quite a splash! The fountain in the middle of the lake is a lovely feature of the property, surrounded by lush trees, bushes, flowers and other foliage. Here you will find winding paths, exercise equipment, benches, gazebos, tables, and other convenient amenities. No wonder this park is a magnet for runners, picnickers and nature lovers alike. There are a couple other smaller lakes in the park. Events of all kinds are held in the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater which has drawn audiences since the '50's! I've seen everything from Shakespeare to Blue Grass to musicals to movies to dance performances to farmer's markets to art shows here at this iconic landmark. You can't miss the majestic Carillon Tower, a historic building dedicated to the memory of World War I and those Virginians who served our country. Several festivals and ceremonies are held there throughout the year. If you've never heard the bells of the Carillon, you have missed quite a spectacular, beautiful experience! The Byrd Pump House is a cool, Gothic styled building that's once housed the waterworks for the area. Recently, the Parks & Rec Department have offered tours of this granite building and it's definitely worth seeing. Byrd Park is dog-friendly with it's pup-ular Barker field! It also offers baseball fields and playgrounds for children! Several monuments have been erected in the park, and are placed in prominent places as you drive or stroll through this well-maintained sprawling park. There are several entrances and plenty of parking making this spot an attractive place to visit. Byrd Park is surrounded by several RVA neighborhoods and is a favorite destination for families! Incidentally, Byrd Park was named for William Byrd II, a prominent colonists, Statesman, plantation owner and considered to be the founder of Richmond. read more

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I came here during my nine mile hike in Richmond yesterday. I was recommended to visit Byrd Park by local RVA experts. There is a lot of grassy space here for kids to play and do outdoor activities. The ponds didn't have much action, the smaller one seems to be overrun with frogs and turtles. The larger "Swan Lake" had some ducks and geese. The namesake swans had to be removed due to their violent tendencies. If you're interested in birding, there are a lot of taller, older trees in Byrd Park full of our feathered friends. Surprisingly there were a great deal of birds around a maintenance building near the lakes. I think the lakes are stocked with fish by the state. There were dads and sons fishing along the lakes and they looked to be having great success at reeling in some fish. The park was decently clean. Of course there was some bird poop around the Swan Lake, but it would be impossible to expect no poop. I wish I could have spent more time in this great park. If I lived in Richmond I would probably spend a lot of time here to relax. read more

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I did not realize that Byrd Park was as large as it is (a 287-acre park). We were looking for a park to pass a little bit of time by and to take a walk. We walked around Swan Lake and Shields Lake. These are 2 of the 3 lakes in the park, we missed out on Fountain Lake. Swan Lake was fun because you can see a lot of waterfowl. This park seems to be popular so carve some time out so you can see it all. read more

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Spring looks a little bit different in this current season of life but nonetheless still enjoyable. My mom and I wanted to switch up where we took our dog for a walk so we decided to venture to Byrd Park! Our little furry friend loved exploring and watching the geese. I'd say it's pretty pet friendly. Dogs cannot be off the leash but there are plenty of walking trails and grass to enjoy. The parking was easy and it wasn't crowded perfect place to bring the family and practice social distancing. I'm glad that we always carry potty bags for our dog because there are no potty stations just trash cans here and there. You'll see joggers, bikes, dogs, etc. There was some construction going on around the neighboring streets of the park so you may be subjected to following a detour to get there. The park was peaceful and looking at the water on a crisp sunny day brought a new sense of peace. Perfect place for a walk, run, or picnic. Downsides: some trash cans were full and a lot geese poop around the lake sidewalks. read more

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Really nice open and public park for families, kids, or even a picnic with some friends. There was some construction here which I'm sure is temporary but took away just a little from the overall views. Perfect to spend a day here. read more

Byrd Park - Parks Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Richmond, VA--Road Trip #2 After visiting Sub Rosa Bakery, my next stop was Byrd Park (BP). BP is named after William Byrd II, who was a prominent family during the founding of Richmond in 1737. BP has 287-acres to enjoy, and I had intended to look around more than I did, but Maymont was calling me. I did drive around and parked near Swan Lake. BP has three lakes: Swan, Shield, and Fountain, and as the majority of lakes in Virginia, they are man-made. Swan and Shield Lakes are right next to each other; Fountain Lake has a fountain in the middle, with paddle-boats that are available to rent in season. Look at all the wonderful amenities BP as to offer: * 1.3-mile vita exercise course loop through the park and popular for walkers, runners, and bikers (kind of small for such a large park) * Self-lighted tennis courts * Two softball fields * Playground * Historical monuments * Amphitheater for summer concerts, theater, and other events * A full concession at Fountain Lake during the summer and free Wi-Fi * Fishing at all three lakes (state fishing license required) * Picnic shelters with grills * Barker Field Dog Park * Restrooms at Fountain Lake and port-a-potties throughout Reminder: there are lots of geese in the park and they cross the road often; do not feed the geese or ducks. I wish I had more time to visit BP, but I will definitely come back. When you are done, take a short walk (or drive) to Maymont. Both are great ways to spend the day outside. read more

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I was told by a bunch of people to visit Byrd park while I was here for a girl's weekend last month. Maybe it was just the day or the weather or something but I wasn't all that impressed... lots of birds, lots of poop to walk through/around/avoid on the sidewalks, not a lot going on. There is a pretty bridge you walk over and can walk around the water for a while but there really just isn't much here... I don't know - I guess I was expecting more? read more

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I love this park! I used to come here with my friend to run 15 miles a week. They've updated some of the workout areas too. Come here to enjoy a walk or run or maybe lay a blanket in the grassy areas to enjoy a good book or sunbathe. The magnolia trees smell so amazing when they bloom. I love jogging here when they bloom to smell their sweet scent. Plenty of shaded areas to keep cool on those hot days too. read more

I love Byrd Park for its beauty, its peacefulness, and the fact that it provides a wonderful oasis amid the hustle and bustle of the city. I've eaten picnics on lawn chairs by the lakes, taken leisurely walks along the paths, watched a fashion show at the Carillon, and spent countless care-free hours just enjoying being in the park. Oh yea, and it also provides the perfect biking destination when the bf and I want to take our bicycles out for a spin. This past Sunday, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and cycle around the neighborhood a bit. I love to look at houses (and fantasize about owning one) so after riding around the Museum District and Fan for a little, we ventured to Byrd Park and soaked up its natural beauty. As other reviewers have mentioned, Byrd Park is not your tiny little city park. It's expansive and offers its visitors plenty of space to relax on a blanket or toss around a frisbee. It's a great place to take out-of-town guests (if only to prove to them that we do in fact have beautiful green spaces in the city), and the fact that it's right next to Maymont doesn't hurt, either. I've often scooped up a sandwich in Carytown, enjoyed eating it at Byrd, and then moseyed over to check out the animals at Maymont. In fact, I think I might just do that on my next free sunny day! read more

Byrd Park - Parks Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I remember going to Byrd Park in college and lying out in the sun on the grass near Boat Lake (also called Fountain Lake) and watching the pedal boats go by. Not much has changed here but it is the same great 200 hundred acre urban park that acts as the backyard to a great city. Comprise of three "lakes" and gently curving pathways and surface streets, this park makes a great place to play Frisbee, grab some rays, paddle boat, or grab some food from the concession stand. The big news this year is that Sally Bell's Kitchen will be catering at the snack bar which is big news for those who are fans (see my review of Sally Bells on Yelp*) Back in the day the two cement lined ponds (Shields and Swan Lakes) served as swimming holes for the city. Desegregation unfortunately bought that to an end . People still fish here and it is a great place to see swans, ducks and geese. Beautiful mansions line the West Side of the park and there is a wonderful 1 mile "Vita Course" that is heavily utilized for walking and running under the shaded canopy. Many do not realize that Byrd Park also encompasses free, lighted, public tennis courts, little league fields, Dogwood Dell amphitheater, and the Carillon. Dogwood Dell is the sight of a fantastic Richmond tradition which is the 4th of July classical concert and fireworks display. Byrd Park is also famous for hosting "Arts in the Park" every May which is well attended. There are also summer concert series and plays for adults and children. The Carillon is a monument to those who gave their lives in the First World War and was completed in 1926 and contains 56 bells. read more

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For most Richmonders, this place has real history. A lot of us grow up here in Richmond and besides perhaps going away for school, many return to raise their children here as well ,and this is one of those places that's kind of passed down through the generations. Most of us can remember coming here as kids with our families and feeding the ducks or maybe even getting chased by one :P I know my mom tells me about coming here as a teenager and the place would be packed with teens and 20-somethings in their shiny freshly-washed cars playing music and having a good time socializing on the weekends. Despite the insane amounts of duck poop that abound in some parts and not-so-clean water, this place is where it's at for the true Richmonders. We play frisbee here, picnic, grab a blanket and a book and people watch, go for jogs, walk our dogs, and just strike up random conversations with people here. Not to mention that Dogwood Dell is totally where it's at for cookouts in the summer for some, but for great 4th of July fireworks for just about all Richmonders. Expect to walk far from your distant parking space, bring a cooler and a blanket or chairs, along with a frisbee and have a good time. Instead of sitting (quite literally) in traffic after the fireworks, stay and play a bit of frisbee until it dies down. Enjoy the wait and the nice evening breeze instead of being frustrated in your car! read more

Loved this park! So peaceful and relaxing. Lots of space. Would be perfect meditation, a romantic chat/walk/picnic or to watch fireworks around the 4th of July. Not a fan of the brave geese, but hey...it's nature I guess. Grateful to have experienced this place. Very family friendly. I love the outdoors! read more

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I love this park. Tennis courts, paddle boats, fitness trails, mountain bike trails, ponds, and nature to name a few things there. It is usually well maintained with ample parking. Maymont is very close by as well as the nickel bridge. This is a great place to take a date, your family, or yourself to get some fresh air. Please stop feeding the geese though! read more

Went walking on the trail at Byrd Park. The trail is just about 1 mile around, so that takes out a lot of the guess work if u don't have a watch or tracker for ur distance. Work out stations for different exercises along the complete trail. This trail is good for a nice brisk or power walk, or if u decide on a slight jog. The trail doesn't allow bikes or dogs. Great way to start ur morning. read more

Byrd Park - Nice trail - Parks Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Plenty to do here: tennis courts, small lake, a track to walk/run on, and various obstacle courses. The negatives are few but huge deals... The benches are huge safety risks, the boards are very close to just snapping. Many obstacles but they are extremely old and outdated. Literally each time I come the grass is not cut. I would have given it 3 stars, it got an extra star only because it has a lot trees . read more

Byrd Park - Parks Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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My parents live in Richmond (well, Chesterfield) and since Chesterfield is as dull as can be I find myself exploring the city proper every time I'm in town to visit. At this point it wouldn't be remiss the say that Richmond does parks really, really well. I'd kill for green space right in the middle of town. Not only do they have one park, they have 3! And they're all awesome. I spent my afternoon laying in the sun, catching up on some reading, people watching and just letting my mind unwind and unplug. My highlight of the day came when a mom urged her tween-age son to put a cheese puff in his mouth and to see if one of the geese would eat it straight out of his mouth. Not only did I get to unwind but i saw some grade A parenting take place right in front of eyes! Byrd Park, you do not disappoint. read more

Very good place to walk/run. One walk around the water may be about a mile or a little under a mile. The only thing you have to look out for is the bird poop all over the place when your walking. read more

Byrd park is HUGE. I used to say, "you know, near Byrd park, the ..." and people would say, "Yeah that's still Byrd park." Like Sean C said, it's the Tennis courts, the jogging trails, the Carillon, the amphitheater, the boat lake, the fishing lake, everything. The paddle boat lake now has a little cafe thing in it. They take Restaurant.com gift certificates. Isn't that weird?! I think it's amazing weird. Dogs are welcome on leash. You can start out at the off-leash dog park Barker's Field (which I've also done a review for) near the Carillon and then do the exercise course together or go to the middle part, away from the lakes, where there is limited off leash space and throw sticks or frisbees. Dogs aren't allowed off leash anywhere near the lakes, since there are geese and ducks there. It can be kind of confusing to drive around/through the park. Most of the streets are one way but many are poorly marked. Make sure you keep an eye out not only for the typical "wrong way" and "one way" signs, but for whether or not the parking signs are facing you. Some streets are closed seasonally, so that's another thing to watch out for. There are lots of groups here that meet for different activities. I imagine that you'd find out more about the activities through the park's website but I'm not sure. This is a very nice and large urban park. You should definitely go! read more

Love this park I feed the goose. Lot of fun even temperature 95. Still. Nice to picnic cleans and quiet read more

Byrd Park - Parks Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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I grew up going to Byrd Park and it is simply beautiful. Whether you are feeding the ducks, going for a run or just riding through on the way to Maymont Park, it is a great place to be in Richmond. If your looking for a fun afternoon, try riding the boats. As a kid I can remember having so much fun just riding on them for what felt like hours, and riding as close as possible to the fountain so that I could get my mom wet (to her dismay). To this day I still ride the boats and if your lucky, you can enjoy a really awesome view of the sunset. P.S. : I do warn that when feeding the ducks, fingers may be mistake as moist little pieces of bread. read more

Very Nice here. I'll try the boat another time- just want to sit and take in the lovely sights. read more

Byrd Park - Peaceful - Parks Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Paddle boats! fitness track is nice to run instead of the pavement. read more

Byrd Park - Sunrise... - Parks Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I've spent many an afternoon here throwing the frisbee, on the paddle boats, cruising (when it was the cruise spot), feeding the ducks and running through Byrd Park. Even a time or two trying my hand (quite miserably) on the tennis courts. It's surrounded by gorgeous homes and has Maymont Park as its next door neighbor. Terrific place to wile away an afternoon with activity or laziness. read more

Can you please cut the grass around the stairs...people use them to run up and down for excercise...like seriously is cutting grass that difficult?? read more

This is a beautiful municipal park in the heart of Richmond. Lit and free tennis courts are a great asset to area residents. The lakes are gorgeous. The relatively quiet roads that traverse the park are popular for runners, walkers and cyclists. When I lived in Richmond, I used the Vita course a lot for mile repeats and tempo runs. Its cinder surface is friendly on the knees and joints, and the distance of one loop is just shy of a mile. There aren't any trails aside from it, but it's easy to access the North Bank and Buttermilk trails from here for longer runs. read more

This park has such a beautiful display near the water. I dont go here often, but when I do i love to be near the water. I went here for an early morning workout with friends, the park was empty at 830 when we came through with just a few other runners, and random people. It seems like a great park to come with your family to hang out on a beautiful day. read more

I LOVE walking my dog on the trails near the Carillon. We see runners, mountain bikers, dogs and their people, and lots of families as we meander through this beautiful park. This is another great example of an amazing green space in Richmond. read more

Byrd Park - Murphy and I have enjoyed Byrd park all winter long! - Parks Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Byrd Park is one of Richmond's treasures. Acres of land, three large lakes and beautiful architecture abound. You can rent a paddle boat and cruise one of the lakes if you like, or you can simply stroll the sidewalks and enjoy the view. A great place to walk a dog, take a bike ride, or go for a run (not that I'd know anything about exercise). Byrd Park has had its share of bad press, but I'd venture to say so too have most large parks in sizeable cities. Factoid: I'm almost certain I once saw a coyote roaming around near shields lake. The four-legged fella kept his distance, but I observed enough to say he didn't quite look like a dog. He was sporting a bit of a blue tint to his coat and had very large, almost round ears that sat straight up. read more

I've been coming to Byrd Park since I was a kid. The paddle boats were my favorite thing to do at Byrd Park (paddle boats only run at certain times). Every once in a while, I play football with friends. Byrd Park is a great place to have a picnic or read a book. There's plenty of grass for you to relax. The park has nice scenery, especially in the summer. The fountain lights up at night. The summer time is usually the busiest season for Byrd Park. You will find families and people jogging. Byrd Park has ducks roaming on it's grounds. If you like to play tennis, there are plenty of tennis courts nearby. Also, it's a great place for photography. Over the years, Byrd Park has toned down a bit from large crowds. It's still a great place to enjoy Richmond nature. Byrd Park is one of Richmond's most popular parks. If you go to TallTravelEats on YouTube, you can Byrd Park beautiful scenery. read more

This is my favorite park in all of Richmond (though Forest Hill Park is a close second). This place just screams Richmond to me and floods me with nostalgia anytime I visit. There are two lakes to walk around (one with a lighted fountain, paddle boats and concession stand), ducks to feed and a track to walk or run! It's set in a beautiful neighborhood and, my favorite feature, it's accessible at night for a romantic midnight stroll (or maybe some necking and petting in your car). Don't forget about the Carillon (the big bell tower) and amphitheater at Dogwood Dell as well as the tennis courts across the streets - some people refer to these as separate sites. And of course there's nearby Maymont Park for those who want to walk through peaceful gardens or see animals. This entire complex has something for everyone! read more

Byrd park is a great place for a walk or jog. Any Richmonder should grab a friend and do the paddle boats at least once. Honestly, they just need to cut the grass more often. read more

I live right by this park for a reason: This is that perfect escape from the city life. The collection of pond/lakes has been a city goers paradise for so many years. There is a surprising amount of wildlife hidden amongst the different ponds, I have even gone as far as to identify the rare ring necked ducks, a pair of endangered fox tail squirrels and little brown bats in the evening hours. The park now allows dogs as well. The main fountain lake offers paddle boating. While my favorite the swan lake I believe its called (with the bird island in the middle) is where we locals frequent with bird feed for the Canada and American bred geese, which tend to have two litters of goslings each year in both early and late spring. If you have children to entertain look no further. Anyone could get lost for hours in this park system. I have recently discovered some historical significances surrounding the "Round house" just off of Lakeside Ave. A walled in graveyard containing tombstones from both the Shields and the Robinson families. Along with a non functioning fountain that seems to have something to do with the prohibition times. I must mention the constant flow of couples having picnic lunches and the frisbees being tossed back and forth from dog to owner. It is easy to see, once you have explored the grounds yourself why almost anyone, wildlife enthusiasts, history guru's, children, Dog owners, and couples, alike would enjoy this Richmond wonder. read more

Great park in the city...a must visit when local events are held there...there is parking close to the amphitheater...

Really fun. Has a convenience stand where you can buy drinks, food and rent paddle boats. Great for a date. Great for a family day. Not so dog friendly and sometimes has a few weirdos at it. Pretty clean and we'll patrolled. Pretty much a flattish area with a big pond in the middle and some decorations. read more