Description
Darden Towe Park lies in northern Charlottesville along the east bank of the Rivanna River. Open playing fields, as well as a small pond, several thick brushy areas are a great place to search for killdeers and the occasional chipping sparrows foraging in the short grass. At certain times of year large flocks of “blackbirds,” including common grackle, red-winged blackbird and the introduced European starling, descend on the park to forage, and roost on the telephone wires and fence lines.
While walking along the river, listen for red-bellied and downy woodpeckers overhead and watch the river for migratory waterfowl or the resident Canada geese. During migration there is also potential for a variety of neotropical migrants to appear. Later in the fall, yellow-rumped warblers appear and are sometimes joined by ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets, as well as white-throated sparrows. The summer months bring the flowerbeds alive with butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.
Also available at the park is the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center, which offers a variety of rotating activities and exhibits related to exploration skills, including nature observation and hiking.
Directions
Physical Address: 1445 Darden Towe Park Road, Charlottesville, VA 22911
From US-250, turn onto Stony Point Road/VA-20 North, turn left onto Elk Drive, and continue to the Park entrance.
Location & Directions
View on Google MapsSite Information
- Site Contact: Albemarle County Parks & Recreation: 434-296-5844, trollins@albemarle.org
- Website
- Access: Free, open daily sunrise to sunset
Birds Recently Seen at Darden Towe Park (as reported to eBird)
- Canada Goose
- Mourning Dove
- Black Vulture
- Turkey Vulture
- Cooper's Hawk
- Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Northern Flicker
- Blue Jay
Seasonal Bird Observations
Facilities
- Bike Trails
- Accessible
- Hiking Trails
- Information
- Parking
- Phone
- Picnic
- Restrooms
- Viewing Blinds