Fall Brochure Available!
Parks & Recreation invites you to a fall of fun – we’ve got a great variety of programs, events and activities for all ages, interests and abilities! Over ten special events are planned to connect community, and we encourage you to take advantage of the many unique amenities in our two recreation centers and sign-up for our new programming including Splash on Fridays, At Home Paint Nights, new health and wellness trainings and presentations, trips and tours, skate camps for youth, and virtual programming if you prefer to play at home! We continue to celebrate our 40th anniversary of working in partnership with you! In the fall brochure, we take a look at the history of community programming and thank the individuals, partners and staff who have helped us in meeting our mission to provide the parks, programs and facilities you enjoy today.
Fall/Winter Special Events
Drool in the Pool
Saturday, Sept. 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. Info: heritagehumanesociety.org.
Butterfly Festival • All Ages FREE!
Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 11-12*
Freedom Park
This two-day event includes drive through pick-ups of craft bags for children, photo contests, Zoom speakers, self-guided Garden tours and the ever-popular Chrysalis Pyramid activity. The Williamsburg Botanical Garden is hosting the event in conjunction with James City County Parks & Recreation and is funded by the Green Spring Garden Club, Inc. Look for details at Williamsburg Botanical Garden.
Movies Under the Stars • All Ages FREE!
Friday, Sept. 17*, 8 p.m.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Enjoy the outdoors while taking in great box office titles! Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. We’ll bring the stars. Children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Scheduled feature: Raya and the last Dragon; movies subject to change (PG)
Scarecrow Row • All Ages & Families
Saturday, Sept. 18*, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jamestown Beach Event Park (event field)
$20/scarecrow (includes all supplies for onsite/kit)
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 or prefer to make your scarecrow at home? No problem! Select the “at home kit” and we’ll package your supplies for pick-up at the park on Monday, Sept. 20, 4-6 p.m.
Boo Bash at the Beach • All Ages
Saturday, Oct. 16*, 1-4 p.m.
Jamestown Beach Event Park
$5/car (cash or check only)
Enjoy a day at the beach with a Halloween twist! Costumes welcome. Trick-or-treating onsite for ages 12 and younger. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Also enjoy hands-on activities, music, games, food for purchase and more! Pumpkin carving and decorating ($5/pumpkin) available first-come, first-served while supplies last.
Live Well Expo • All Ages FREE!
Friday, Nov. 5, 8:30-11:30 a.m.
James City County Recreation Center
Pamper your mind, body and spirit while taking advantage of FREE preventative health screenings during this annual event! Explore a variety of health and leisure services for ages 55+.
Bike the Bridge • All Ages
Saturday, Nov. 6*, 8 a.m.- 1 p.m.
$20; $25 after Oct. 22
Jamestown Beach Event Park (check in, parking & lunch)
Join James City County in the second annual Bike the Bridge event. Starting location is mile marker 0 of the Virginia Capital Trail and includes various lengths of 15, 25 and 50 routes; exact route and rest stop locations available by Oct.1. Light refreshments at rest stops, a T-shirt and lunch provided with rider registration. Registration closes Nov. 3, noon. To register, visit runsignup.com/bikethebridge.
Santa Calling • Ages 9 & Younger FREE!
Tuesday, Dec. 7 • 5:45-8 p.m.
James City County Parks & Recreation is sponsoring “Phone Calls from Santa” for children ages 9 and younger living in James City County and Williamsburg. Arrangements have been made with the North Pole for Santa and/or Mrs. Claus to personally call each child who returns their completed form by Tuesday, Nov. 30. Santa/Mrs. Claus will attempt to call children between 5:45-8 p.m.; however, specific call times cannot be guaranteed due to their holiday schedule. Registration forms available beginning Nov. 1 at the James City County Recreation Center, the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center, Satellite Services Office in Toano, Freedom Park Interpretive Center, Chickahominy Riverfront Park and online at jamescitycountyva.gov/recreation.
Breakfast with Santa • All Ages
Saturday, Dec. 11, 9-11 a.m.
James City County Recreation Center
$12/person; ages 2 years & younger are FREE!
You and your family are invited to attend Breakfast with Santa! Enjoy a pancake breakfast and a morning of “holly”-day cheer with Santa. Photo opportunities available. Registration required by Dec. 1 or until full. Please register everyone who is attending (adults and children) to ensure their seat – fee includes a special gift for each attendee.
Fitness Open House • All Ages FREE!
Saturday, Jan.15, 9-11 a.m.
James City County Recreation Center
It will soon be a new year and time for a new healthy routine! Meet our instructors, reserve a spot for demo classes and receive information on all that James City County Health & Wellness has to offer. Look for details in December in the local media. Please call 757-259-4176 for more information.
2022 Hit the Reset Virtual 5K Run/Walk • All Ages
Saturdays, Jan. 15 – Feb. 26*
It’s time to put 2021 in the past and HIT THE RESET! We’re racing into 2022 with positive resolutions - let’s move forward together! Join James City County Parks & Recreation for their second annual virtual 5K! You can complete this virtual 3.1 mile run/walk anywhere, with anyone, at any time. Complete within the dates below and submit online. Race registration includes a commemorative medal and shirt. The County has some of the most beautiful trails in the state of Virginia. If you choose to run your 5K on one of our trails, submit your location photo and every participant will receive an extra entry into our raffle. Registration closes on Feb. 22 at 10 p.m. To register, visit runsignup.com/hitthereset. Please call 757-259-4176 for more information.
* All outdoor events are weather permitting. Please call the Activities Hotline at 757-259-3232 for any changes in schedule.
Program Sites
Chickahominy Riverfront Park, 1350 John Tyler Highway
Freedom Park, 5537 Centerville Road
Greensprings Interpretive Trail, 3751 John Tyler Highway
James City County Recreation Center, 5301 Longhill Road
Jamestown Beach Event Park, 2205 Jamestown Road
Upper County Park, 180 Leisure Road in Toano
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 Fall 2021 Brochure! 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!
Thank you for your flexibility and support as we continue to ensure COVID compliance from the Governor, the VDH and the CDC.
Media Contact:
Veda McMullen, Senior Communications Specialist
757-259-5415; veda.mcmullen@jamescitycountyva.gov