Celebrate Where You Belong with Recreation and Parks

Posted on July 1, 2024 by Katie Jones, Marketing Coordinator, Department of Recreation and Parks
Tags: county connection Recreation and Parks
Celebrate Where You Belong with Recreation and Parks

Did you know that July is Parks and Recreation Month?! (Well, now you do!) The 2024 theme is “Where You Belong,” — celebrating the many ways park and recreation professionals foster a sense of belonging in their community by providing welcoming and inclusive programs, essential services for all ages and abilities, and safe, accessible spaces to build meaningful connections.

You can celebrate with us this month in many ways, from attending events and watching movies to visiting our programs or parks.

Kicking off the month, we’re hosting our Red, White, and Lights Independence Day celebration at Crump Park on July 4 from 4 to 10 p.m. The free event will include live music, food trucks, and a kids’ zone. The Richmond Symphony is headlining with a laser light show finale set to music. Please note: there will not be any fireworks, but there will be plenty of family fun!

We are opening Taylor Farm Park sometime in the middle of July. The park is located off Williamsburg Road in the Sandston area (behind the Chickahominy YMCA). The land is just over 99 acres and will be the first new large community park in Varina since Dorey Park opened in 1982.

overhead view of playground at Taylor Park, Henrico, Virginia
overhead view of playground at Taylor Park, Henrico, Virginia

The park features a destination skatepark, event area, large playground, splash area, pump track, bike skills course, mile asphalt trail loop, memorial for fallen heroes, and monuments for each service branch and first responders. (This place is SO dreamy!) A grand opening announcement will be coming out very soon, so we encourage you to follow us on social media to stay in the know!

Last but definitely not least, have you visited our hidden gem — The Henrico Theatre?! (It’s cheaper than the Dollar Store!) Tickets and concessions are only $1 each, so make us your first stop for second-run movies. The July movie lineup is pretty exciting; even Santa Claus is coming to town for Christmas in July. You can catch Jingle All the Way at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. and Scrooged at 7 p.m. on July 25. (Santa will be around for pictures, and we’ll have a themed giveaway item!)

 

We’re also proud to partner with Henrico Christmas Mother (HCM) to Stock the Warehouse! HCM is a non-profit organization that provides each program recipient with a shopping experience characterized by choice and dignity. During the holiday season, they provide food, new clothing, books, toys, and other gift items to qualifying Henrico County families with children, seniors aged 65 and older, and disabled adults.

 

We’ll be collecting the following items at the Christmas in July movies:

  • Diapers
  • Diaper wipes
  • Full-size toothbrushes
  • Full-size toothpaste
  • Socks (all sizes)
  • NEW Books
  • Adult puzzle books
  • Board books for children 0-2
  • Middle/high school level books about sports

     

 

We could spend all day telling you about our amenities and activities, but we tried to keep it brief. Come out, explore, and find where you belong. We hope to see you somewhere!

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