Applause filled the air as Tuckahoe District Supervisor Jody K. Rogish announced Henrico County’s plans to create a neighborhood park on a wooded 6-acre property along Patterson Avenue by Maybeury Elementary School and the Tuckahoe Family YMCA.
“It’s going to be a small pocket park,” Rogish said during an Aug. 4 community celebration at Maybeury.
Rogish noted that more than 400 signatures by residents on a petition was one of the reasons the Board of Supervisors voted to purchase the property on July 22. He thanked his colleagues and told the crowd, “We care about what you want in this community.”
The property previously was considered for private development, including a subdivision and an assisted-living facility. “It’s so important to understand that you do have a voice in your local government, and I hope that tells you that we are listening,” Rogish said.
The Division of Recreation & Parks plans to hold community meetings to begin to shape details of the park, including recreational amenities and connections to Maybeury and the YMCA.
The timing on that process is not yet known, according to John Zannino, director of Recreation & Parks. “We will need to develop a master plan for the site. This process will include public meetings to determine what the community would like to see on the site” he said.
A deficiency of county parks in Tuckahoe was among the findings of the 2024 Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Master Plan. Zannino noted this “pocket park” will help meet the shortfall in the division’s level of service for Tuckahoe.
When county officials propose a new park, community participation is part of the process. “When we start the master plan process, the community can participate by sharing their ideas, thoughts and concerns,” Zannino said. “This can be done both in person at community meetings and electronically. We will collect feedback digitally for those that are unable to attend the meetings.”
At the Aug. 4 event, more than 75 individuals came out to celebrate with food and fun. A bounce house, games and a dunk tank kept children entertained while parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends cheered the announcement.
Residents can learn more about Recreation & Parks Division online. The division continues to look for opportunities to expand parks and recreational programs as visitation and participation rise and residents enjoy more outdoor fitness in parks, recreation areas, athletic complexes, historic sites, and natural areas throughout the county.
Henrico’s parks attract more than 6 million visits annually. The county has 56 parks and facility sites that encompass more than 3,300 acres.
This month, Recreation & Parks will be formally honored by the National Recreation and Park Association with its 2025 Innovation in Park Design Award for Taylor Farm Park.
