Vawter Street Park / Glen Lea Recreation Area

Despite its location just east of the Richmond International Raceway, the Vawter Street Park / Glen Lea Recreation Area supports ample wildlife. The start of a forested trail loop in the Vawter Street Park is tucked behind the radio tower and runs along a steep hill above the floodplain. The combination of forest, meadow, and wetland habitats brings many bird species together in a relatively small area. Woodpeckers, northern cardinals, wrens, Carolina chickadees, and tufted titmice mix with indigo buntings, sparrows, and finches. Red-eyed vireos, eastern wood-pewees, and acadian flycatchers feature prominently in the summer soundscape. White-tailed deer and other mammals are common, too. The sports fields of the Glen Lea Recreation Area are just over the bridge opposite the radio tower. Eastern bluebirds, American robins, eastern phoebes, and mixed flocks of blackbirds are serenaded by bold northern mockingbirds and shy brown thrashers. Hawks make good use of the open grass.