It’s almost that time of year again, folks! And by “that time of year,” I mean snow. And by “snow,” I, of course, mean sledding. For some people, this is the highlight of the winter season. While I’m more of a “sit by the warm fire with hot chocolate and a good book” kind of girl, there’s nothing my kids love more than bundling themselves up in countless layers, waddling to the nearest hill and throwing themselves down – usually head first. Sometimes, they even use sleds.
My youngest daughter once announced to a fellow sled-mother soon after we arrived to our favorite sledding hill, “We’re lucky our mom loves us. It’s the only reason she comes out here.” And love them, I do. So, while I do need to be more careful about what I mumble under my breath when getting them bundled up in their snow suits, I also make it my job to know the coolest (no pun intended) sledding hills in town. I mean, if you’re going to do it, do it right…right?
But what makes a “good” sledding spot, exactly? With winter weather in the forecast pretty much every year, we’ve wanted to share some of our favorite sledding hills and locations. And, for us, when choosing a “good” sledding spot, these are the things that matter:
- A variety of steep and not-so-steep hills for both the “big” kids and the little ones.
- Plenty of open space at the bottom of the hills for a safe, gliding stop.
- Proximity to roads cleared by the city so that driving/parking is possible if you don’t live close enough to walk.
Here are some sledding spots that are a lot of fun but just didn’t make our list this year:
Battery Park
Located at the corner of Hawthorne Avenue and Overbrook Road
Boatwright Lawn
Located in front of Boatwright Library at The University of Richmond
Byrd Middle School
Located at 9400 Quioccasin Rd, VA 23238
Deep Run Park
Located at 9900 Ridgefield Parkway, Henrico, VA 23233
Enon Elementary School
Located at 2001 E Hundred Rd, Chester, VA 23836
Gambles Hill Park
Located at the corner of 2nd St and Spring St in downtown
Hollywood Cemetery
Located at the corner of Cherry Street and Albemarle Street in the Oregon Hill neighborhood
Maymont
Located at 1700 Hampton Street. Check their Facebook page or call them (804-358-7166) for when they open their grounds to sledding: Maymont’s Facebook Page
Powhatan Hill Park
Located at the corner of Williamsburg Road and Fulton Street in Fulton Hill
Westham Park
Located on Baldwin Road just off Patterson Avenue in the West End
Now to the list of five spots that hit all the marks and make for a fabulous morning or afternoon of sledding fun.
5. Libby Hill Park
Bill Dickinson via Flickr (Creative Commons)
As one of the original parks in the Richmond City Park system, this historic park offers one of the best skyline views in the city. And then there’s the sledding. If you’re looking for speed, then Libby Hill Park is the place to go. Located in Richmond’s historic Church Hill, the hills at Libby Hill Park will have you – and your heart rate – going at top speed.
Why we love it: If you’re going to spend an afternoon throwing yourself around in the snow, then you might as well enjoy the view! The views of the city from this historic park are hard to beat, even when you’re barreling down a snow covered hill.
Where to find it:
Located at 28th Street and East Franklin Street
2801 East Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23223
Open from sunrise to sunset.
Visit Richmond City Parks’ Libby Hill Park website to learn more.
4. Chimborazo Park
Y and H Mercantile
If the speed and excitement of Libby Hill Park proves to be too much, have no fear, just a few blocks down you’ll find another of our favorite sledding spots at Chimborazo Park. This park is great for a couple of reasons. First, it has some smaller, gentler hills that are better for smaller sledders (or those who prefer a more leisurely sledding speed….like me). Secondly, because the best hills for kids are located behind the year-round dog park, you are welcome to bring your fluffy friends along for the fun. (Of course, you’ll want to respect other sledders and keep your pets on a leash unless they are inside the dog park fence.)
Why we love it: In addition to the fact that it offers a variety of hills, with 30+ acres, there’s plenty of space for sledding. Plus, like Libby Hill Park, it offers stunning city views.
Where to find it:
Located in Church Hill at 32nd Street and East Broad Street.
3201 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23223
Open from sunrise to sunset.
Visit Richmond City Parks’ Chimborazo Park website to learn more.
3. Byrd Park
WTVR CBS 6/ Youtube
Richmonders have been bringing their sleds to this popular city park for decades. As a favorite destination year-round, Byrd Park has been a hot spot for sledding since the 1950s. Many sledders flock to Reservoir Hill or take the leisurely hill leading down the to the park’s famous Swan Lake. And because the park offers 387 acres to enjoy, finding the perfect sledding spot is never a challenge! This park is located just at the end of Boulevard near Maymont Park. Because there are major roads nearby, you should be able to access the park as soon as roads are cleared.
Why we love it: The fact that there’s plenty of winter wonderland to explore (The Carillon, Dogwood Dell, the lakes, etc) makes this park a perfect spot, even after you’re done sledding.
Where to find it:
600 South Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220
Open from sunrise to sunset.
Visit the Richmond City Parks’ Byrd Park webpage to learn more.
2. Bryan Park
Friends of Bryan Park
If you’re on the North side, then you probably already know that Bryan Park is the place to be when the winter weather hits. After a good coating of snow, the disc golf course at Bryan Park becomes a sledder’s paradise, full of open space and great hills in a variety of sizes.
Why we love it: Because Bryan Park is located near the I-95 interchange just up Hermitage Road, as soon as the snow settles, roads should be cleared, making it easily accessible while the snow is still fresh.
Where to find it:
Located at Hermitage Road and Lakeside Avenue
4308 Hermitage Road
Richmond, VA 23227
Open from sunrise to sunset.
Visit Richmond City Parks’ Bryan Park webpage or Friends of Bryan Park to learn more.
1. Forest Hill Park
Friends of Forest Hill Park / Facebook
As one of the most popular sledding spots in the entire city (as evidenced by the fact that it almost always ends up on the local news during “sledding season”), this beautiful, historic park is a winner all year round. But as soon as the snow falls, locals come running to this South side favorite. With plenty of wide open spaces, this park is the perfect place to bring your sleds, tubes or toboggans. And because it’s a city park, it’s well-maintained and offers plenty of cleared roads for driving and parking. But best of all, it offers gentle slopes, as well as steeper hills to satisfy every kind of sledder – from the newbies to the daredevils.
Why we love it: While the park does get crowded during a good snow, the large hills offers plenty of wide-open space to prevent crashes.
Where to find it:
Located at Forest Hill Avenue and West 41st Street
4021 Forest Hill Avenue
Richmond, VA 23225
Open from sunrise to sunset
Visit Richmond City Parks’ Forest Hill Park webpage or Friends of Forest Hill Park to learn more.
Make sure to bundle the family and get ready for some winter fun! Also, stock up on winter essentials while they’re still in the stores and get ready for a fabulous sledding season! In the meantime, let us know about your favorite Richmond sledding spots in the comments below.
