Richmond’s Historic Urban Oasis

Byrd Park is a 275-acre public park in western Richmond, originally developed in the 1870s around a new city reservoir. Fountain Lake was dug to provide fill for the reservoir’s berms, and the park—first called New Reservoir Park—was renamed William Byrd Park in 1907. Designed under city engineer Col. Wilfred Emory Cutshaw, Byrd Park reflects late 19th and early 20th-century landscape ideals and features rolling hills, wooded ravines, open lawns, and three lakes. Today, it is a hub for recreation, culture, and community gatherings, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Shields-Robinson Cemetery (1823): A private family cemetery with approximately 30 marked graves. Also known as Poplar Vale, the name of the estate of the Shields Robinson family before the land was incorporated into Byrd Park.

Reservoir (1876): Water first flowed into the city system on January 1, 1876, and the reservoir still supplies Richmond today.

Byrd Park Pump House (1882) An impressive Gothic Revival former waterworks structure overlooking two canals. (https://www.visitrichmondva.com/listing/pump-house-park/4686/)

Roundhouse (c. 1914): Octagonal brick building built in the Rustic style and available for rent for private events.

Virginia War Memorial Carillon (1932): A 240-foot Georgian Revival bell tower honoring Virginians who died in WWI, featuring 53 functional bells.

Dogwood Dell Amphitheater (1957): A 2,000-seat outdoor venue with terraced sod seating, hosting concerts and community events, including the annual Festival of Arts.

Architecture

Fountain Lake (1876): Also called Boat Lake, Fountain Lake features a tree-lined walking loop, historic refreshment stand, and decorative lighted fountain installed in 1925.

Shields Lake (7 acres, c. 1917): The southern end was open for public swimming from 1919-1955. Today it is a recreational pond and fishing site with annual children’s catch-and-release event.

Swan Lake (13 acres): Created in the early 20th century by regrading a ravine and building a dam and spillway. Today, it’s a haven for waterfowl.

Lakes

Tennis courts (1916)

Ballfields (1908) Originally a racetrack and now home to Richmond Little League. https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/richmondlittleleague

Vita Course (1979) 1-mile fitness trail with exercise stations.

Ultimate frisbee pick-up games around the Carillon Mall and Westover Road

Fishing: Swan Lake and Shields Lake offer shoreline fishing opportunities. Shields Lake is stocked with native species and hosts seasonal trout fishing.

Barker Field Dog Park: 1-acre enclosed dog run

Tot Lot (1986): Picnic areas with stone hearths

Athletics and Fitness

Ecological Features

Dell Meadow (2023) A former construction dump site has been transformed into a native plant and pollinator garden with a pond. 

Carillon Meadow

Restoration & Reforest Area

Trails

Dogwood Dell Trail: 0.9 miles, easy

Byrd Park Loop: 1.5 miles, easy

Byrd Park Map

View the dropdown menu below to learn more about the history and features of Byrd Park!

  • Shields-Robinson Cemetery (1823): A private family cemetery with approximately 30 marked graves. Also known as Poplar Vale, the name of the estate of the Shields Robinson family before the land was incorporated into Byrd Park.

    Reservoir (1876): Water first flowed into the city system on January 1, 1876, and the reservoir still supplies Richmond today.

    Byrd Park Pump House (1882) An impressive Gothic Revival former waterworks structure overlooking two canals. (https://www.visitrichmondva.com/listing/pump-house-park/4686/)

    Roundhouse (c. 1914): Octagonal brick building built in the Rustic style and available for rent for private events.

    Virginia War Memorial Carillon (1932): A 240-foot Georgian Revival bell tower honoring Virginians who died in WWI, featuring 53 functional bells.

    Dogwood Dell Amphitheater (1957): A 2,000-seat outdoor venue with terraced sod seating, hosting concerts and community events, including the annual Festival of Arts

  • Fountain Lake (1876): Also called Boat Lake, Fountain Lake features a tree-lined walking loop, historic refreshment stand, and decorative lighted fountain installed in 1925.

    Shields Lake (7 acres, c. 1917): The southern end was open for public swimming from 1919-1955. Today it is a recreational pond and fishing site with annual children’s catch-and-release event.

    Swan Lake (13 acres): Created in the early 20th century by regrading a ravine and building a dam and spillway. Today, it’s a haven for waterfowl.

  • Tennis courts (1916)

    Ballfields (1908) Originally a racetrack and now home to Richmond Little League. https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/richmondlittleleague

    Vita Course (1979) 1-mile fitness trail with exercise stations.

    Ultimate frisbee pick-up games around the Carillon Mall and Westover Road

    Fishing: Swan Lake and Shields Lake offer shoreline fishing opportunities. Shields Lake is stocked with native species and hosts seasonal trout fishing.

    Barker Field Dog Park: 1-acre enclosed dog run

    Tot Lot (1986): Picnic areas with stone hearths

  • Dell Meadow (2023) A former construction dump site has been transformed into a native plant and pollinator garden with a pond. 

    Carillon Meadow

    Restoration & Reforest Area

  • Dogwood Dell Trail: 0.9 miles, easy

    Byrd Park Loop: 1.5 miles, easy