During the summer of 2020 my family discovered our deep love of creek play. It wasn’t that I’d planned to take my children to creeks on hot summer days. The pandemic forced us – outdoor pools weren’t open, and I desperately needed to get the kids out of the house. But, it was hot!
We unintentionally came upon the creek at Larus Park one day and the kids were hooked. So was I. Somehow the splashing and cooling off had a calming effect on all of us. Beyond that, this alternative to swimming pools was much less anxiety-inducing for me, considering both kids had not yet fully mastered swimming.
Nowadays, both of my children swim with confidence, but we still go “creeking” often. I use creeks as our end destination on hikes to motivate the kids to keep going, or if we’re all feeling overstimulated and cranky, a quick creek trip still soothes.
Here are a few creeks around Richmond:
Tuckahoe Public Park
The park itself is nestled in a Henrico neighborhood, so it’s never too crowded. The creek is just behind the playground, and perfect for cooling off after running around.
Maymont
Of course you know Maymont for the farm and Nature Center, but if you continue just past the goats you’ll have access to a lovely creek near the Stone Bridge.
Poor Farm Park
Located in Hanover, Poor Farm Park’s creek is a bit of a walk from the parking lot, so I would suggest saving this for older children. From the gravel trail at the playground, you’ll continue and then find the creek.
Larus Park
Larus Park is a hidden gem, located near Stony Point Fashion Park. Walking the trails has an enchanted forest feeling. There are multiple trails and several creeks and streams to play in, including one with a tire swing!
Forest Hill Park
If you park at the top of the park near the playground and tennis courts, you can enjoy a nice walk around the lake and find your way to the creek past the bridge.
Robious Landing Park
This Chesterfield park has a shallow creek just off the trail from the picnic area. It’s a very short walk from the parking lot to the creek area, so this is a good outing for younger children.
Tips for creek play:
Let Go and Enjoy
Go into the outing with the expectation that your children will get wet and need a change of clothes. Creek play isn’t meant to be pinterest-perfect; it’s meant to be fun.
Bring Sand Toys
Bringing just a few shovels or buckets can make a creek outing even more fun. Not to mention, the pouring and filling are excellent for building those motor skills!
Love Thy Mother
Creek play offers the opportunity to talk to your children about nature and how we can protect our Earth. If we see trash in the creek, I remind my children how pollution hurts our planet, and can make it unsafe for us to enjoy.
I also encourage my kids to “leave it in the ecosystem.” My son loves to use rocks and sticks during creek play. When he asks to bring these things home, my reply is always, “let’s leave it in the ecosystem.” It’s an easy way to him to understand that these things don’t belong to us; they are part of something larger. Plus, it keeps my car clean!
Pack Wisely
I bring a change of clothes for everyone, including grownups. I also suggest bringing a first-aid kit, towels, bug spray, and hand sanitizer.
We love to see RFM Readers enjoying our area parks! Tag us @rfmtoday in your family’s next outdoor adventure!
