McIntire Park

Spanning the rolling landscapes of Charlottesville, McIntire Park is a picturesque green oasis covering approximately 130 acres. It is a place where the natural beauty of the USA harmoniously blends with well-developed urban infrastructure. The park is renowned for its breathtaking views of the eastern mountains, dense forests, and winding streams that create an atmosphere of tranquility far from the city bustle.

Founded through a generous donation by philanthropist Paul Goodloe McIntire, the park is now a multi-functional space. It features three key areas: a modern skate park, a solemn veterans memorial (the Dogwood Memorial), and the site of the future Botanical Garden of the Piedmont. This diversity makes it a popular hub for both active sports enthusiasts and those seeking inspiration in nature.

This is more than just a city park; it is a living piece of community history, offering guests not only outdoor recreation but also a chance to connect with the region's cultural heritage. Its complex terrain and wooded areas make every walk here unique and full of discovery.

To find more information about events or to book picnic shelters, you can use the official contact details for the park administration.

Everyone will find something to enjoy at McIntire Park. Active lifestyle enthusiasts will appreciate the modern skate park, opened in 2019, which has become a real hit with the younger crowd. During the warmer months, the lighted softball and baseball fields often host practices and games that visitors can watch from nearby.

For those who prefer a more relaxed pace, the park offers three cozy picnic shelters where you can spend time with family or friends against the backdrop of majestic mountain scenery. Walking trails lead through dense woods and along scenic streams, revealing the beauty of the local flora and fauna. It's an ideal spot for morning jogs or meditative evening strolls.

Visiting the Veterans Memorial, surrounded by blooming dogwood trees, is particularly meaningful—it's a place for reflection and honoring history. In the future, the guest experience will be even richer with the opening of the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, which promises to be the jewel of the park's northern section, expanding opportunities for environmental education and aesthetic enjoyment.

McIntire Park is conveniently located along the 250 Bypass (also known as the Veterans Memorial Highway), making it easily accessible for travelers by car. The drive from the city center takes only a few minutes. For the convenience of visitors, several parking areas are provided near specific sites: the skate park, the memorial, and the sports fields.

If you prefer public transportation, you can reach the park via local Charlottesville buses. It is recommended to check the current city bus schedules for routes heading to the north side of the city. Taxis and ride-sharing apps are also popular ways to get there.

For those who enjoy an active lifestyle, the park is accessible via the city's bike path system. Navigation is straightforward: the GPS coordinates for the main entrance are 38.0472975, -78.4753847. Majestic views open up as you approach the grounds, setting the mood for a pleasant visit.

The history of this green haven is closely tied to philanthropist Paul Goodloe McIntire, who in the 1920s aimed to transform Charlottesville into a model for the "City Beautiful" movement. Most of the land was gifted to the city in 1925, and the park's boundaries were finalized by 1941 after several additional land acquisitions.

One of the most notable chapters of its past was the nine-hole golf course, opened in 1938. It was designed by the famous architect Frederick Augustus McPherson Findlay. The course stood out for its Scottish-style design, rare for the USA East Coast, featuring unique sand greens. The course faithfully served citizens until late 2015, remaining the city's oldest municipal course.

In the 1940s, the park became a site for bold social experiments. For instance, it featured some of the first lighted tennis courts, funded by a local business club. Although the construction of a bypass in later years slightly reduced the park's size, it has retained its historic charm and natural grandeur.

A standard visit to explore the grounds and main highlights of McIntire Park usually takes 2–3 hours. This is enough time for a leisurely stroll through the shaded trails, enjoying the mountain views, and visiting the memorial area.

If you plan to have a full family picnic in one of the shelters or spend time being active at the modern skate park, you should set aside half a day. The park offers many opportunities for recreation, so your length of stay depends entirely on your interests and preferred pace.

McIntire Park is open to visitors daily, making it easy to plan a visit at any convenient time. The operating hours are the same every day of the week:

Monday — Sunday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM.

This schedule is ideal for early morning walkers as well as those who prefer to relax in the park after the workday, enjoying the evening breeze and the bright lighting of the sports fields.

Exploring the area around McIntire Park will allow you to dive deeper into the atmosphere of Virginia. Thanks to the park's prime location, you can easily combine a walk in the fresh air with visits to historic estates, famous universities, and cozy wineries.

Below are the most interesting sites located near the park: