Maymont invites the community to celebrate the reopening of Maymont’s Virginia Wildlife Trail after a two-year enhancement project with a free Grrrrand Reopening event on Saturday, May 2, from 10am to 4pm.
A Milestone Celebration Year
“We are delighted to welcome everyone back to explore the new features of the Virginia Wildlife Trail — especially significant during our 100th anniversary year as a public space,” said Parke Richeson, President and CEO of Maymont Foundation. “We are planning a day filled with fun family activities and a chance to say hello to old friends like Big Bear and Little Bear, Monty the bobcat, and Finnley the fox, and to meet our new animal ambassadors — porcupine and coyote — in their new habitats!”
A Revitalized Wildlife Experience
Maymont’s Virginia Wildlife Trail is a mile-long educational trail featuring habitats for about a dozen different native species of rescued and rehabilitated wildlife, tucked into a forested valley in the heart of Richmond. The recent enhancements, made possible by the Maymont 2025 project, include two new habitats for new species — porcupines and a coyote — as well as more accessible pathways, new interpretive signs, and more viewing areas and educational behind-the-scenes spaces. Resident species include American black bears, bison, bobcat, coyote, elk, porcupine, red fox, sika deer and various raptors, such as bald eagles, hawks, and vultures. The individual animals have been deemed non-releasable by wildlife rescue organizations, due to injury or habituation to humans.
Honoring History, Enhancing Access
“The first wildlife habitats were established at Maymont in 1959 by local philanthropist William B. Thalhimer Sr., and the trail has been expanded at different points in time. This project has given us the opportunity to create a more cohesive experience for visitors,” added Krista Weatherford, Director of Programming and Curator of Natural Resources. “Visitors will notice that the pathways connect more fluidly, with larger viewing areas, new educational spaces and new interpretive signage all along the trail.”
A Day of Family-Friendly Festivities
The Grrrrand Reopening day will feature live music and food trucks, plus animal keeper talks and enrichment sessions with the animals. Kids can make animal-themed crafts and play games and go on scavenger hunts. Local mascots and partner wildlife organizations will join in for photo ops and activities. Activities will be spread out along the mile-long trail stretching from The Robins Nature Center and Maymont Farm to the bear habitat. The event is free, and donations are welcome. The event is rain or shine.
Starting May 3, the Virginia Wildlife Trail will be open daily for free, self-guided walks.
Guided Experiences and Up-Close Encounters
For a more curated experience, guided Trail Treks and Breakfast with the Bears programs will be available starting May 3, and continue on weekends through the fall. On the Trail Treks, a staff guide will lead an hour-long walking tour of the full Virginia Wildlife Trail, with binoculars, sharing stories of the animals along the way. The Trail Trek includes a meet and greet with an animal keeper, who will give an enrichment treat to one of the animals so participants can see them in action.
The Breakfast with the Bears programs will take advantage of a new behind-the-scenes educational space by the bear habitat. A Maymont educator will give an overview of the species’ behavior, natural history and unique adaptations to our environment, along with a Q&A session and a photo op. (Please note, breakfast for humans is not included!)
More information on these programs will be posted on Maymont.org/wildlife or visit The Robins Nature Center, where the tours will begin. All proceeds from these programs support the nonprofit Maymont Foundation, which cares for the historic collections, gardens and animals.
About Maymont
Maymont, located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year as a 100-acre public space where all are welcome to connect with history, nature, wildlife and each other. Built as a Gilded Age estate overlooking the James River, Maymont opened to the public in 1926 and today offers free admission to explore its miles of walking paths through rolling hills, beautiful landscaped gardens, with farm animals and the Virginia Wildlife Trail with habitats for rescued native animals. In addition, Maymont offers staff-guided and self-guided tours of the 1893 Maymont Mansion, historic estate buildings and gardens, plus The Robins Nature Center, with 30,000 gallons of aquaria showcasing the remarkable James River ecosystem. Since 1975, the nonprofit Maymont Foundation has been entrusted to care for this unique place, galvanizing community support around its mission to delight, educate and inspire. Maymont annually welcomes more than a million guests and is consistently ranked among the top regional attractions by travelers and locals alike.
