2025 Guided Hikes: Atkins Acres Community Park – FULL

Join Capital Region Land Conservancy and Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation for a Spring Equinox Hike at Atkins Acres Community Park in Chesterfield County, Virginia on Monday, March 24, 2025. Guided hike led by Chesterfield County Naturalist, Mark Battista, and CRLC Land Stewardship Manager, Ashley Moulton.

ABOUT THE SITE

Atkins Acres is a picturesque 109-acre parcel of land that was gifted in 2011 to Chesterfield County for the creation of a future new park. Capital Region Land Conservancy worked with the landowner Anna Atkins and her family to fulfill her wishes that the property never be developed for housing but to ultimately become a public park. The land is primarily a mix of pine and hardwood forest with two sandy bottomed streams which flow through the property.

ABOUT THE HIKE

The Atkins Acres hike is a 2-3 mile easy to moderate level walk through and around the property. Mark Battista, Chesterfield County Naturalist, will lead our hike through the property where he will share excerpts of Anna Atkins’ journal entries of her love of the land and history with the 100 acres of woodlands. We’ll follow a stream through the property to discover a vernal pool, observe a cut bank that reveals an interesting geologic history, and observe some changes as we head to the uplands. Vernal pools are temporary bodies of water that are vitally important for the survival of many animals, from slimy salamanders to rare turtles.

There are no trails so participants should be comfortable on uneven terrain walking on flat ground of varying elevations. Participants should wear comfortable, sturdy hiking shoes or boots and be prepared to cross a slow-moving steam. Hiking poles are handy if you have them. Don’t forget water, and a light snack if desired.