Joey Parent rounding a switchback in Forest Hill Park (photo Hunter Davis)
Forest Hill Park (RichmondOutside.com) is the first obstacle to tackle in ‘King of the James’ & is traversed by foot as the Trail Running portion of the event. The trail (RVA MORE) that encompasses almost the entire park is hilly with some roots; however, overall it is a fast trail with plenty of flow.
Forest Hill Park, as a whole, offers more than just a 3.2 mile trail – it is a beautiful, wooded space with large deciduous & evergreen trees mixed in with plenty of colorful flowers.
Flowers of the Park (photo Megan Davis)
Take a second to check out Reedy Creek. This little stream creates plenty of relief inside the park as it makes it’s way to the James River. Reedy Creek’s stream bed is lined with car sized boulders and slabs of granite. As luck would have it, some phenomenal whitewater can be found here after heavy rains.
Screen Shot from a video of Patrick Griffin paddling Reedy Creek (video Hunter Davis)
Like many things in Richmond, there is a lot of history associated with Forest Hill Park. It has been an estate, quarry, amusement park, and much more. Friends of Forest Hill Park have a great website where you can learn a lot more about the park. Check it out!
Enjoy your time well spent in Forest Hill Park when you’re making your way through the Trail Running portion of ‘King of the James’.
Joey Parent cruising on the Forest Hill Park Trail. (photo Hunter Davis)
Love the James,
King