Henrico celebrates renovated Cheswick Park

Henrico County officials on Wednesday morning formally celebrated the reopening of Cheswick Park – the county’s first park – following an 11-month renovation effort.

Cheswick Park originally opened on 24.5 acres on Forest Avenue in the Near West End in 1980, thanks to funding from a 1977 bond referendum. Its $2.1-million overhaul was funded through the county’s 2016 bond referendum.

The enhancement effort included the creation of an open fitness area, upgrades to the park’s trails, playground, restroom facilities, pedestrian bridges, parking lot, main entrance, stormwater management infrastructure and signage.

The park already had an exercise trail but now has an outdoor exercise area that Recreation and Parks Director John Zannino termed “a fitness playground.” Later in the spring, crews will add a rubberized surface throughout that new area, Zannino said.

In April, the county is planning to host a community event at the park, he said, details of which will be announced at a later date.