Parks & Recreation invites you to a spring and summer of fun – we’ve got over 60 summer camps for the kids, special events designed to connect and cultivate community and hundreds of family programs and outings, classes and activities. Copies of the brochure can be downloaded or picked up at the James City County Recreation Center, the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center, the Satellite Services Office in Toano, the Freedom Park Interpretive Center, County park offices, all public County government offices and the James City County and Williamsburg libraries!
Upcoming Special Events
Tour D’Trails • Ages 12+ FREE!
Race starts Monday, May 10*
The Tour D'Trails is a multi-stage mountain bike race where riders compete against the clock and the field! This socially distanced asynchronous time trial eliminates the technical features on different trails and allows a more inclusive opportunity to gain confidence in your riding skills! Men’s and Women’s Divisions: Masters (50+), Adults (20-49) and Teens (12-19). To register, email your name, age/division competing and gender to Christopher.mcknight@jamescitycountyva.gov. The race will take place in stages, featuring a different trail to ride each week between Monday and Sunday. Standings will be updated via email on Wednesday, Friday and Monday after the stage closes.
Summer Camp Fair (featuring See-A-Truck) • Families/All Ages FREE!
Saturday, May 15*, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
This fair is a one-stop shop for families planning summer activities! Find out about summer camps, programs and more for all ages! You can register onsite or just gather information. FREE for families to attend, but everyone must sign-up for a timeslot to attend! Sign up at WilliamsburgFamilies.com. After you've gathered info for summer, swing by the “See-A-Truck” area to explore and learn about various “big” or unique vehicles such as buses, farm equipment, fire trucks and more! Offered in partnership with WilliamsburgFamilies.com. For more information on the Fair, please contact Kristy Maynor at kristy@williamsburgfamilies.com or Olivia Bada at olivia@williamsburgfamilies.com.
Opening Day at the Pools • All Ages
Saturday, May 29*, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park & Upper County Park
It’s time to kick off summer! Come out to one of our outdoor pools to celebrate the start of the season. Door prizes given each hour between 1-4 p.m. Pool fees apply, visit us online for details.
Tails on the Trail • Families/All Ages FREE!
Saturday, June 5*, 9-11 a.m.
Greensprings Interpretive Trail
Are you up for a summer-long trail adventure with your dog? Join the Heritage Humane Society for this kick-off event! This self-guided adventure starts off at one of the eight trails for your exploration throughout the summer. Did you know the first Saturday in June is National Trails Day? Get active with your pet! For more information, visit heritagehumanesociety.org.
Capital Color Ride • All Ages
Sunday, June 6*, 2-6 p.m.
$10 by May 14; $15 after May 14
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
You’ve heard of The Color Run™, but how about a color ride? Enjoy this family-friendly biking event along a 15-mile stretch of the Virginia Capital Trail. Venture from Chickahominy Riverfront Park to the James City County Marina and back, while encountering color stops, snacks, water and more at the rest stops. Preregister for $10 online by May 14. Registration includes a free shirt and refreshments, while supplies last. For additional information and to register, visit https://runsignup.com/capitalcolorride
Virtual Student Art Show
Friday, June 18
Save the date! Our annual student art show and exhibit has gone virtual! Anne Kushnick’s oil painting, pastel and acrylic students will display their talents through a video compilation of art. The video link will be available on YouTube, JCC Parks & Recreation website and Facebook page. For information on fine arts classes, call 757-259-5353 or check out our summer brochure!
Freedom Stories & More • All Ages
Saturday, June 19*, Noon-3 p.m.
Freedom Park
Join Williamsburg native Dylan Pritchett, best known as “The Storyteller,” along with other Virginia Black Storytellers (VirBS) as they share with you Freedom Stories at Freedom Park! The Free Black Settlement area is the backdrop for this special event. Also featured are unique crafts for kids, music and food available for purchase.
Project: FiveFortySeven • All Ages
Sunday, June 20*, 5:47 a.m.-11:59 p.m.
Out late or up early? Celebrate the summer solstice by joining Parks & Recreation for the Longest Day of Play! On June 20, rise and shine at 5:47 a.m. as we cater to the sun and offer recreational activities all day long including outdoor recreation, virtual programs, scavenger hunts, family trivia and so much more! Explore new parks or try out a new activity—all for free! For more information, a full schedule of programs and preregistration requirements, please visit the JCC Parks & Recreation Facebook page beginning May 14. #jccparksrec
Spencer’s Ordinary Wreath Ceremony • All Ages FREE!
Saturday, June 26, 10-11:30 a.m.
Freedom Park
The Williamsburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will conduct a memorial service on June 26 in honor of the valiant Americans who gave their lives in the Battle of Spencer’s Ordinary on that date in 1781. A series of skirmishes occurred in the woods and meadows of Freedom Park between units of Lord Cornwallis and those of the French general, Marquis de Lafayette. Immediately following the Spencer’s Ordinary wreath ceremony, enjoy a presentation on the history of the battle in the Freedom Park Interpretive Center.
July 4 Celebration at the Pools • All Ages
July 4*, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park & Upper County Park
Beat the heat by visiting one of our outdoor pools! Pool fees apply. FREE ice pops to everyone entering the pool (while supplies last).
Movies Under the Stars • Families/All Ages FREE!
Friday, July 16*, 8:30 p.m.• Scheduled Feature: Goonies (PG)
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Enjoy some of the great box office titles out under the sky! Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. We’ll bring the stars. An adult must accompany children 12 and younger. Movies subject to change depending on availability.
Family Splash Party at the Pools • All Ages FREE!
Saturday, July 17*, 6-9 p.m. • Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Saturday, July 31*, 6-9 p.m. • Upper County Park
We’re hosting two FREE family nights at the pools. Join us for games, prizes and fun! Children age 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Movies Under the Stars • Families/All Ages FREE!
Friday, August 20*, 8:30 p.m.• Scheduled Feature: Frozen 2 (PG)
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Enjoy some of the great box office titles out under the sky! Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. We’ll bring the stars. An adult must accompany children 12 and younger. Movies subject to change depending on availability.
Drool in the Pool
Saturday, September 11*, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
$10/dog
This popular dog swim day is eagerly anticipated each year! Pool passes for your dog will be available at the gate on Sept. 11. Music, refreshments and goodies featured! All proceeds benefit the animals of Heritage Humane Society. For more details, visit heritagehumanesociety.org.
Scarecrow Row • All Ages/Families
Saturday, September 18*, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jamestown Beach Event Park (Event Field)
Onsite & At Home Kit: $20/scarecrow (includes all supplies)
Come out for this social distanced and FUN event making a scarecrow with your family. Make the biggest, the best, and maybe the only scarecrow in your neighborhood! Families must preregister for their scarecrow by Friday, Sept. 10. Fee includes all supplies including hay, clothes, paints, brushes and your space on the event field. Not able to make the event date/time or prefer to make your own at home? No problem! Select the "at home kit" and we'll package your supplies for pick-up on Monday, Sept. 20.
We’ve Got Camps!
Summer camps begin June 21! For the complete list, check out the Summer 2021 edition of the Destination Recreation brochure!
Program Sites
Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Highway
Freedom Park, 5537 Centerville Road
Greensprings Interpretive Trail, 3751 John Tyler Highway
Jamestown Beach Event Park, 2205 Jamestown Road
Upper County Park, 180 Leisure Road in Toano
*Weather permitting; please call the Activities Hotline at 757-259-3232 for any changes in schedule
As the impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt, we ask for your patience, flexibility and support in following safety and social distancing guidelines as regularly released by the Governor of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Events are subject to change based on social distancing guidelines, please call the activities hotline at 757-259-3232 before heading out.
Unless otherwise noted, please visit us online or call 757-259-4200 for more details and registration information. For the complete list of Parks & Recreation activities, programs and events, check out our seasonal brochure!
Media Contact:
Veda McMullen, Senior Communications Coordinator
757-259-5415; veda.mcmullen@jamescitycountyva.gov