Byrd Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Byrd Park |
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| William Byrd Park, New Reservoir Park | |
Boats on Fountain Lake
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| Type | Public Park |
| Location | Richmond, Virginia |
| Area | 268.7 acres (108.7 ha) |
| Created | 1875-1888 |
| Operated by | City of Richmond |
| Open | Year-Round |
Byrd Park, also known as William Byrd Park, is a large public park in Richmond, Virginia. It's located north of the James River and right next to Maymont, another popular spot. This park covers about 200 acres, which is like 150 football fields! It's a great place for outdoor fun and learning.
The park has a mile-long trail with exercise stops. You'll also find cool monuments, an amphitheatre for shows, and three pretty lakes. These lakes are called Shields, Swan, and Boat Lake. Boat Lake, also known as Fountain Lake, has a bright, lighted fountain in the middle. You can even rent pedal boats there during certain times of the year. Byrd Park also offers tennis courts, Little League baseball fields, and a children's playground. Inside the park, you can see the historic round house and Poplar Vale Cemetery. The park is named after William Byrd II, whose family owned a lot of land when Richmond was founded in 1737. In 2016, Byrd Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place with important history!
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Park History: How it Began
In 1873, the city of Richmond started building a new water system. The old one wasn't big enough for the growing city. From 1875 to 1888, land was bought and a large water reservoir was built. The big hole dug to create the reservoir's walls became what we now know as Fountain Lake. This lake is actually fed by the reservoir!
In 1884, the New Pump-House was finished. It pulled water from the old James River and Kanawha Canal. Then it pumped the water up to the reservoir. The large park area around the reservoir was first called New Reservoir Park. The street leading to the park, now called Arthur Ashe Boulevard, was built to carry the main water pipe. It also made it easy for people to visit the park.
By 1907, the park's name changed to William Byrd Park. By 1914, plans were made to add two more lakes: Shield's Lake and Swann Lake.
The Christopher Columbus Statue
A statue of Christopher Columbus was put up in the park in 1927. When it was first built, some people didn't like it because it honored Italian-Americans. At that time, there was a lot of feeling against new immigrants.
In 2020, the statue became controversial for different reasons. People began to focus on Columbus's actions towards Native Americans and his role in starting the slave trade. On June 9, 2020, the statue was taken down and placed into Fountain Lake.
Richmond Police Memorial
In 2016, the Richmond Police Memorial was moved to Byrd Park. This memorial is an 8-foot-tall bronze statue. It shows a police officer holding a girl who is clutching a teddy bear. There's also a plaque with the names of 28 Richmond police officers. These officers died while serving the city between 1869 and 2003. The memorial was later moved from the park after being damaged.
The Carillon: A Musical Tower
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Virginia War Memorial Carillon
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Virginia War Memorial Carillon
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| Location | 1300 Blanton Ave., Richmond, Virginia |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1928-1932 |
| Architect | Cram & Ferguson |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000053 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 04, 1984 |
The World War I Memorial Carillon is a tall tower built in 1932. It was created to remember those who died in World War I. A carillon is a musical instrument made of many bells. This one has 56 bells!
The Carillon is played on special days like Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and July 4th. It's also a popular spot for events. People use it for wedding receptions, parties, and meetings.
Fun Events at Byrd Park
Byrd Park is a hub for many exciting events throughout the year!
Dogwood Dell Amphitheatre
The amphitheatre called Dogwood Dell hosts summer concerts and plays. One popular event is a concert by the Richmond Concert Band. It ends with the "1812 Overture," which includes real cannon fire, the carillon playing, and a fireworks show! This happens on the 4th of July. There are also often shows and events for children at the Ha'Penny Stage, which is right next to the carillon.
Annual Festivals and Celebrations
In May, the park hosts the "Arts in the Park" festival. This is a fun two-day event where over 400 artists show and sell their amazing work. The park also has a Summer Festival of Arts from June through August. This festival includes plays, concerts, and activities for kids and families. In 2006, the Summer Festival of the Arts celebrated its fiftieth year!
The second Saturday in June brings Richmond's "It Starts in Park Festival." This festival encourages healthy living and family fun. It's a great way to kick off the summer vacation for school children. The carillon is also where the city's live Christmas Nativity pageant takes place. It's usually held on December 23rd, weather permitting. This tradition has been going on for over 60 years!
In 2016, Byrd Park was recognized for its importance. It was listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
