Seminole Park is the newest park in Amherst County and it is already very popular with local families. Seminole Park was originally planned to open in June, but construction ran behind schedule. The ribbon-cutting hasn't taken place yet, but the park stays busy.
Located beside The Westie apartments on Phelps Road in Madison Heights, Seminole Park includes swings, two playgrounds, climbing structures, a zipline, two covered pavilions, picnic tables, a crushed gravel walking trail around the perimeter of the park, and Central Bark Dog Park, Amherst County's first off-leash fenced dog park.
The most popular feature of Seminole Park for kids of all ages is the zipline! There's always a line of kids waiting in line when we visit Seminole Park. The zipline has a small platform for riders to use to get onto the zipline seat.
Younger kids can climb on the side rails to reach the seat or get a boost from an older child, parent or caregiver. Some older kids stand up to ride the zipline or give younger kids a push off to make them go faster.
I didn't measure the length of the zipline, but it took most kids five to 10 seconds to ride to the stopping point at the end. When you get to the end of the zipline ride, you just return the zipline seat to the next rider.
The excitement and enthusiasm of the zipline riders was clear to see. Some more adventurous kids ran and jumped onto the seat, zoomed quickly to the end, and tried to ride back to the platform. Many of the younger kids excitedly shouted to their parents after their first ride, "I did it!"
All of the kids were good about waiting their turn at the zipline as well as letting kids who had to leave go first. Older kids were very helpful for younger siblings and even kids they didn't know. Some parents stayed close to the zipline or walked alongside their young children, while others watched from the benches in the center of the park.
The two big playground structures are intended for different ages: one for toddlers and younger children and one for school age children. Both have multiple slides and climbing options. The playground for younger kids also has a sun shade.
There are two climbing structure connected to the playground for the older children. There's a swinging bridge that leads to the top of the playground platform from one climbing structure and climbing discs leading to the playground from the other climbing structure.
The dog park has two separate fenced areas, one for small dogs up to 40 pounds and one for large dogs who weigh over 40 pounds. We watched several dogs running and playing on the large dog side and some small puppies playing on the small dog side.
The surface of the park is a combination of mulch under the play structures and grass in the center of the park, dog park, and picnic areas. There are trash cans in the park and an enclosed bathroom building near the parking lot.
According to the sign at the park, Seminole Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. All pets must be leashed, except when they are in the dog park. Alcohol and controlled substances, motorized vehicles, glass containers, camping, and open fires are all prohibited in the park. In addition, children under age 10 must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
Seminole Park is a partnership between Amherst County, Waukeshaw Development, the owner of The Westie apartments, and their nonprofit partner, The Little Cities Foundation. Amherst County received a $165,000 federal grant to help fund their portion of the project and The Little Cities Foundation received a $25,000 grant from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation.
To get to Seminole Park from Lynchburg, take the Business 29 exit off Lynchburg Expressway (the exit with McDonalds, Dairy Queen, and Wendys). Turn right on Phelps Road, then left onto Center Street into the parking lot.
Seminole Park is a great day trip destination for kids of all ages. If you haven't visited yet, add it to your fall schedule. Bring a picnic lunch or pizzas and enjoy a day of fun in Amherst County's newest park.
Here's information about fall fun and popular parks, playgrounds, and trails in the Lynchburg area:
Lynchburg Macaroni Kid Fall Family Fun Bucket List - Here's 50+ ways to Find Your Family Fun® this fall!
Lynchburg Virginia Parks Guide - Our most popular guide offers information about all of the public parks in Lynchburg and the surrounding counties!
Visit Riveredge Park in Madison Heights - Riveredge Park is located across the James River from Lynchburg!
Find Your Family Fun at Bedford County Parks - Plan ahead for a fun adventure in Bedford County!
Falling Creek Park in Bedford - Falling Creek features biking and hiking trails, a playground, fitness stations, disc golf, a progressive bike park and a skate park!
Wayside Park in Hurt - Located along Seneca Creek in Hurt, Wayside Park offers fun for all ages!
Get Outdoors at Riverside Park - Lynchburg's favorite park is located on Rivermont Avenue!
Peaks View Park is a Lynchburg Favorite - Two playgrounds, walking and bike trails, a bike pump track, tennis and basketball courts, disc golf and more!
Enjoy Playing Disc Golf at Peaks View Park - Disc golf is fun for all ages, from littles to teens and adults!
Explore Ivy Creek Park - Ivy Creek Park in Lynchburg offers a newly renovated playground, fishing dock, paved and earthen walking trails, and seasonal canoe and kayak rentals!
English Park in Altavista - Most popular in summertime for the splash pad, English Park is also a great year-round destination!
10 Things to Do at Percival's Island - Formerly a railroad bed, a paved hiking and biking trail travels the length of Percival's Island!
Find Your Family Fun® at Lynchburg VA School Playgrounds - The school playgrounds at Linkhorne and Heritage Elementary Schools are very popular!
25 Places in the Lynchburg Area to Walk or Hike - From paved trails to earthen pathways, Find Your Family Fun® on one of these trails!
Otter Creek on the Blue Ridge Parkway - Otter Creek runs from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the James River!
Hiking Off the Blue Ridge Parkway - The Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect East Coast family getaway destination!
Take a Hike at the Peaks of Otter - Sharp Top is the best known of the three peaks that make up the Peaks of Otter
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