Short Pump Park Playgrounds

The playground areas are varied and memorable. Short Pump is truly a wonderful spot in Henrico.

There's plenty to climb on, a wide array of swings, and a large lawn for running and playing. The rear of the park has a colonnade with benches where parents can sit in the summer and watch their kids play in the … wait for it… spray park! During the summer months, giant water fountains spring from the ground onto textured cobblestone pavers for kids (and maybe some adults) to cool off.  Of course, you could also cross Pump Road and run into Chick-Fil-A for a milkshake if you prefer to stay dry.

Short Pump Park wraps around the back of the adjacent baseball field, where you will find an additional, smaller playground and pavilion.  Both of these spots offer more shade and seem to be geared toward smaller kids. ADA-compliant swings are also available in this play area, which is a perfect spot to watch games on either the baseball diamond or the youth football team on the opposite side of the playground.

All of these amenities, plus ample parking (occasionally full-on youth sports days), make Short Pump Park a great spot to let kids run, but my favorite part is the paved walking path that winds through the woods to John Rolfe Parkway which is popular for all ages.  Henrico County has done a great job of putting a traffic light and crosswalk where the path emerges, allowing motivated adventurers to explore West Broad Village - which happens to have a Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Sweet Frog, a pond, a walking trail, and it’s own small playground.