Huguenot Park
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Huguenot Park offers a unique combination of recreational facilities, highlighted by an exceptional playground perfectly suited for younger children (2-3 years old) to play independently. Beyond the playground, it features diverse sports courts (basketball, pickleball, soccer), a short wooded trail that provides a refreshing escape from the urban feel, and dedicated exercise bays along its paths. The park is consistently praised for its convenience, perceived safety, and ample parking, making it a versatile option for families.
Key Highlights
- ✓The playground is specifically "geared to younger kids," allowing "my almost three year old could do most things on his own," which is a rare find for independent toddler play.
- ✓Offers a variety of recreational activities, including outdoor basketball courts, pickleball courts, and soccer fields.
- ✓Features a "short trail that goes into the woods" that makes you "feel you’re far from the city/county."
- ✓Includes "nice exercise bays thru out the path" for adult fitness.
- ✓"Plenty of parking" available, enhancing convenience.
- ✓"Port-a-potties around" are available for restroom needs.
- ✓Perceived as "pretty safe" with "alot of kids biking around by themselves."
Standout Features
- ⭐Playground thoughtfully designed for independent play for toddlers.
- ⭐Diverse recreational facilities including basketball, pickleball, and soccer courts.
- ⭐Ample and convenient parking.
- ⭐Short, wooded walking trail offering a sense of nature and escape.
- ⭐Integrated "exercise bays" along the path for adult fitness.
- ⭐Availability of port-a-potties.
- ⭐Generally perceived as a safe environment.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Check the weather and bring sun protection**: Due to "not a lot of shade," plan accordingly for sunny days. Visiting "later in the day helps."
- →**Prepare for an ice cream truck distraction**: If visiting the playground, be aware of a potentially persistent ice cream truck and manage children's expectations.
- →**Be mindful of dogs in the playground**: As there's no "no dogs" sign, be prepared for dogs to be present in the playground area.
- →**Consider bringing bikes**: The park's trails and general layout seem suitable for kids to bike around safely.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Dogs were observed being brought into the playground area, and there was "no sign that said no dogs," raising potential safety or hygiene concerns in an enclosed space with children.
- ⚠There is "not a lot of shade," so visitors need to "pay attention to the weather" to avoid excessive sun exposure.
- ⚠An "annoying ice cream truck parked right in front of the playground playing music the entire time," potentially causing children to "scream and cry" for treats and detracting from a peaceful atmosphere.
Price & Value
Likely a free public park as no entry fees or costs were mentioned in any of the reviews, suggesting excellent value for the variety of amenities offered.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Port-a-potties are available on-site. No other specific accessibility features were mentioned.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No specific park food policy was mentioned. An ice cream truck often parks nearby, suggesting external food vendors are present, but there's no information on bringing outside food or internal concessions.
🚗Parking Info
- •"Plenty of parking" is available, indicating easy access and convenience for visitors.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Can be active with "alot of kids biking around by themselves."
- •The regular presence of an ice cream truck suggests a consistent flow of visitors, particularly around the playground.
- •The concern about dogs in the playground implies a level of activity where park supervision or clear rules might be overlooked.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Explicitly stated as "safe" by multiple reviewers.
- •Perceived as safe enough for "alot of kids biking around by themselves."
- •**Concern**: Lack of a "no dogs" sign in the enclosed playground area, which some parents view as a safety/hygiene issue.
⏰When to Avoid
- • **Hot, sunny middays**: Due to the lack of shade, it might be uncomfortable during peak sun hours.
- • **If your child is easily swayed by treats**: The presence of an ice cream truck near the playground can lead to meltdowns.
- • **If you require a strictly dog-free playground**: As there are no clear rules or signage, dogs may be present in the playground area.
Pricing/Package/Events
🍎Food Policy
- • Picnic areas are available on a first come, first served basis.
- • No open fires outside of park grills.
- • No alcohol allowed in the park.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • No possession of illegal weapons.
- • No operation of devices that cause projectiles (drones; guns; bow and arrow; BB, air or paintball guns; or hitting balls where landing cannot be seen).
- • No possession of illegal drugs or marijuana.
- • Proper footwear is required for basketball, pickleball, and tennis courts.
- • Personal flotation devices are required for water access.
- • All users, visitors, and patrons of county park or recreation facilities shall adhere to the Parks and Recreation Code of Conduct.
- • No person may interfere with any Parks and Recreation employee acting in the course of their duties or falsely represent or impersonate a park employee.
- • No person shall fail or refuse to obey the lawful order of a uniformed or properly identified park employee or police officer.
📅Booking Policy
- • Picnic areas are available on a first come, first served basis.
- • Picnic shelters (Shelter Number 1, Shelter Number 2) can be rented/reserved via Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation.
- • For special events on county property, an event rental application (PDF) must be submitted a minimum of 30 days in advance.
- • Special events require insurance coverage by the applicant/event holder, including a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming Chesterfield County as additional insured and Certificate Holder with at least $1 million in liability coverage.
- • Persons with permits issued by the director shall have priority in the use of facilities; failure to relinquish facilities to a person with a permit is unlawful and constitutes trespassing.
🚗Parking Information
- • Parking is allowed in designated areas only.
- • No overnight parking.
- • Violations are subject to ticketing and towing.
What People Say
What's Great
- Safe environment for children (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Corin Gonzalez
a week agoAwesome playground! Definitely geared to younger kids. My almost three year old could do most things on his own, which I feel like you can never find!!! One issue is people were bringing there dogs in and there was no sign that said no dogs. I just don’t think this is a great idea in an inclosed space with kids running around. Second which was out of the parks control, the most annoying ice cream truck parked right in front of the playground playing music the entire time, kids were screaming and crying cause their parents wouldn’t let them get ice cream. Definitely took from the fun and peaceful atmosphere.
Dan Noble
in the last weekGreat place, especially for the youngest kids. Lots of different activities. I recommend paying attention to the weather because there isn't a lot of shade. Later in the day helps.
Masaya Funakoshi
6 months agoA nice park with outdoor baskeball courts, pickleball courts, soccer fields, and plenty of parking. Has a short trail that goes into the woods, leads to the pickleball courts, hospital and residential areas. Alot of kids biking around by themselves so seems pretty safe. There are port-a-potties around as well.
Sam Soto
2 weeks agoGreat place to bring the kids to the play park. Families can take a nice walk thru the path that makes you feel you’re far from the city/county. Nice exercise bays thru out the path.
Walter Dubuc
6 months agoConvenient, safe, and beautiful trees. I ran several miles and did not have any issues. I plan to go back.