Overview
Cross the pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks from the West McIntire parking lot and the ground starts to roll. This is one of Charlottesville's oldest and most-used parks, and it does not present as a single tidy green rectangle. It is rolling land with views of the mountains to the east, a heavily wooded stretch with steep and varied topography, and winding streams cutting through it. The park contains land originally donated by Paul Goodloe McIntire along with parcels bought later from a number of property owners, and it has been stitched together and cut apart more than once over the years.
That cutting-apart is worth knowing, because it explains why the park feels the way it does. McIntire was originally larger. When the 250 Bypass was built, it ran straight through, splitting off one section that became Greenleaf Park and another, at the southeast end of McIntire Road, that is now the site of the rescue squad. Of the original 150 acres, roughly 130 lie north of the bypass today, divided by the railroad into about 55 acres on the west side and 75 on the east. When the John Warner Parkway later took another bite, 49 acres north of Melbourne Road were acquired as replacement parkland. The park you walk today is the surviving core of something bigger.
What's on each side
The park has two distinct halves, and it helps to know which one you want before you go. The west side is the ballfield-and-picnic side: lighted softball fields, a baseball field, little league, and three picnic shelters that get heavy use from spring into fall. This is the side people book for family gatherings and league nights. Its entrance and parking are at 375 US-250 Bypass.
The east side is where the park turns into a collection of civic landmarks. The Charlottesville Skate Park sits here. So does the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, on the south end. On the north end is the Botanical Garden of the Piedmont, the newest and most ambitious addition to the grounds. The east side has its own entrance at 425 US-250 Bypass. A pollinator garden habitat is among the park's listed features, which fits the botanical direction the east end has taken.
Threading through both halves is a network of paved and nature trails, and that network is still growing. The trail system continues to expand, so the map you have in your head from a visit a few years ago may already be out of date.
Getting in and getting around
Because the park is split by both a highway bypass and a railroad, arriving is less obvious than at most parks, and it rewards a little planning. Parking is available in West McIntire Park, and from there you reach the rest of the grounds over the pedestrian bridge across the railroad. There is also parking by the CARS rescue squad on McIntire Road, south of 250. Each of the three major sections has its own entrance and its own lot, so it is worth deciding which part of the park you are headed to before you pick where to leave the car.
If you are coming without one, CTS serves Charlottesville High School with a stop at the MLKPAC on Route 9. From that bus stop you can walk into the park using the footbridge by the high school's tennis courts.
Good to know
The park is open every day from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, which is a genuinely long window for early runners and evening softball alike. Dogs are welcome, provided they are on a leash and under control. For questions, the park's number is (434) 970-3589, and the full facility listing lives on the City of Charlottesville site.
It is a lot of park to take in on one visit, and that is part of its character. A softball field under the lights, a skate park, a war memorial, a botanical garden, and miles of trail through steep woods do not usually share a name, but here they do, because the land has been absorbing the city's needs for a very long time.
More parks & recreation in Crozet
Frequently asked questions
Where is McIntire Park?
McIntire Park is located at 375 US-250 BYP, Charlottesville, VA 22901, USA, in Crozet, Virginia.
What are McIntire Park's hours?
Monday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
How do I contact McIntire Park?
You can call (434) 970-3589 or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/McIntire-Park-25. Hours and current information are most reliable directly from the business.
What kind of business is McIntire Park?
McIntire Park is categorized as parks & recreation in our Crozet directory. See the description and quick facts above for what makes this listing distinctive.
Sources: charlottesville.gov