Jefferson Park

Jefferson Park is an iconic green space located in Union Hill, one of Richmond’s seven hills. From its perch on a high bluff, this Church Hill park offers panoramic views of the city’s skyline. 

Among the park’s other attractions are walking trails, exercise equipment, a playground, and an ornamental water fountain. One of its newest attractions is a mural created by Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School students. Encompassing the length of the back wall of the bandstand, the mural was inspired by the park’s plants, trees, and critters. It is also the only mural in the city that is bathed in light at night.

Jefferson Park is associated with a solemn piece of Richmond history. A section of it is located above the site of a train tunnel that collapsed on Oct. 2, 1925, claiming the lives of a number of workers. The remains of at least two men are still buried there.

The Friends of Jefferson Park (FoJP), founded in 1996 by area residents, was formed to assist the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities with improving the accessibility and functionality of the park. Another part of that mission is increasing the diversity of tree species and improving tree health, which is achieved through routine plantings and maintenance.

Yet another FoJP mission is to keep the park beautiful. The friends group undertakes this effort in part by coordinating with the civic organization, Befriend (https://befriendmovement.org/), on monthly cleanups. 

Visit the FoJP Instagram page at  Instagram to learn more about Jefferson Park.