Parks and Open Space
Planning District III's tidal rivers and creeks form its parks and open space system. These include Skiffes Creek, Bailey Creek, Curtis Run, the Warwick River, Jones Run, Stoney Run, Lucas Creek, Church Creek and their tributaries. All eventually flow into the James River.
Greenways/Natural Areas
Greenways along these creeks can connect the various neighborhoods, centers, schools, parks, transit centers and other community facilities of the District. Marshland and other wetlands should be preserved as natural areas within these greenways. The greenway system will contain trails and public access points. Portions of the greenway system will remain private natural areas.
The Department of Engineering is acquiring the flood plain area along Stoney Run from the CSX railroad to Warwick Boulevard and plans the acquisition of the flood plain west to Epes Elementary School. This property will create a regional storm water management basin and be the City's first public greenway.
Parks and Recreation
The major parks in Planning District III are Riverview Farm Park, Newport News Park, and Stoney Run Park. Other smaller neighborhood parks include Nicewood and Lee’s Mill Park and other green spaces and playgrounds at schools such as the Denbigh Early Childhood Center.
Riverview Farm Park
Riverview Farm Park is a 300-acre park that overlooks the James River at the confluence of the Warwick River and Deep Creek. The park contains a gymnastics center, soccer fields, dog-park, wetlands trail, boardwalk and overlook, flower garden, interpretive center, concession stand with restrooms, and "Fantasy Farm Playground”. The development of the park is in accordance with the Riverview Farm Park Master Plan adopted by City Council in 1991.
Stoney Run Park
Stoney Run Park is a 228 acre park that occupies the former Denbigh Landfill. The park has five ball fields and will continue
to be developed according to the master plan for Stoney Run Park, adopted in 1998. The master plan calls for a lake, picnic
areas, a sledding park, and other recreational opportunities. With the City’s purchase of the former Denbigh Toyota site,
Stoney Run Park will include the North District Recreation Center that will be built at the park's entrance.
City Farm Transformation
The City Farm is the site of the WarwickTown and has inspiring views of the Warwick and James River. A plan will be developed
with citizen input to determine the long-term use of the City Farm site at 100 City Farm Road and the Menchville Marina totaling
approximately 58-acres. The Plan should be comprehensive and include the following: future disposition of the City Farm, public
access to the water, protection of historic assets, and connectivity to the Riverview Farm Park.
Additional parks are planned for historic Windmill Point, overlooking the Warwick River at the mouth of Lucas Creek and on Skiffe's Creek Reservoir to serve Carleton Falls and surrounding neighborhoods. The Skiffe's Creek Park will provide passive access to the Reservoir for fishing and boating.
Recreation Centers
A new recreation center is planned for District III near Stoney Run Park. The North District Recreation Center will be built near the intersection of Warwick Blvdand Denbigh Park Driveon land formerly owned by Denbigh Toyota. The North Recreation Community Center will feature similar facilities as at the Midtown Recreation Center including a new pool to serve the Denbigh Community. It will also be served by Stoney Run Park and be easily accessible from the nearby Mary Passage Middle School.