Rivanna Chapter
Virginia Master Naturalists
Serving the
Central Piedmont of Virginia
RMN Sponsored Walks Around Charlottesville
Join Rivanna Master Naturalist volunteer guides on a 90-minute weekend hike along the Rivanna Trail. Enjoy spring beauty in the Piedmont, learn more about our natural resources, and improve your health too! This nine week series includes 18 different hikes, held on Saturdays at 1:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM (listed separately.) No registration required. For more information call 970-3585 or email parkvolunteers@charlottesville.org
Every weekend in April, May and early June
Saturday Walks Start at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday Walks Start at 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 3, 1:00 pm: Pen Park Road to Holmes Avenue.
Skirting the golf course on one side and a small stream on the other, the trail we'll walk winds through pine, tulip poplar, beech and an understory of holly. As we cross the stream on footbridges, look for a sentinal white oak marking the path down to a stepping stone crossing of Meadow Creek. The trail then follows Meadow Creek upstream as it courses over rocks through a shaded forest. Meet at the Catholic School, located on the corner of Rio and Pen Park Roads. RMN walk leader, Keggie Mallett.
- Sunday, May 4, 2:00 pm: CHS to Holmes Avenue.
After we scramble over rocks under Rio Road, this path follows rock bluffs and Meadow Creek through a forest of ferns and wildflowers. The creek and trail bend east at the site of the original 1754 Cochran's Mill and eventually climbs up to Holmes Ave. Meet at the CHS softball field on Melbourne Road. RMN walk leader, Ruth Douglas.
- Saturday, May 10, 1:00 pm: Sam's Kitchen to Leonard Sandridge Road.
On this walk, we will follow small streams as we head toward the headwaters of Meadow Creek. We'll see history blend with natural history noting the hackberries and ferns that lead to the foundation of the County's 1806 Poor House. Meet behind Sam's Kitchen in the Kindercare parking lot, across from Bodo's on Emmet St. RMN walk leader, Keggie Mallett.
- Sunday, May 11, 2:00 pm: Ivy Road to Leonard Sandridge Road.
Crossing Old Ivy Road we will come to a meadow and a pond then walk into a forest of mountain laurel and chestnut oaks, looking for signs of wildlife along the way. Meet at UVa Printing and Copying Service, located on Ivy Rd. near Rt. 250 bridge. RMN walk leader, Marjie Giuliano.
- Saturday, May 17, 1:00 pm: Greenbrier Elementary to CHS.
Explore Greenbrier Park, with its forest glen of ferns and wildflowers, sycamores and boxelder trees, opening up to a wetlands. After a tricky passage under the railroad underpass, we will have a choice of a creekside trail or an old road bed on our way to CHS. Meet at Greenbrier Elementary School. RMN walk leader, Nat Rogers.
- Sunday, May 18, 2:00 pm: Greenbrier Elementary to Meadowcreek Park.
Discover another little known city park called Meadowcreek Park on this Sunday afternoon walk. After crossing Meadow Creek on stepping stones with the help of a guide wire, this trail meanders through a riverine forest of hickory, oak and tulip poplar. Ferns, ground cedar and spicebush are abundant. Meadowcreek Park is a largely undeveloped park where community garden plots are available to rent. Meet at Greenbrier Elementary School. RMN walk leader, Frances Lee-Vandell.
- Saturday, May 24, 1:00 pm: Fontaine Research Park to Ivy Road.
Walking the base of Observatory Mountain, we will see abundant ferns and ground cedar beneath a forest of poplar, hickory and chestnut oaks, ending in soothing pines. Meet at Health South parking lot at 400 Ray Hunt Drive in the Fontaine Research Park. RMN walk leader, Susan Pleiss.
- Sunday, May 25, 2:00 pm: Department of Forestry trails in Fontaine Research Park.
Beaver and birds are among the diversity of animals that can be found along this trail known for its diverse habitats including streamside, marshland, a small pond, and a beautiful forest. Look for several trees unusual to Virginia at a 1930's nursery site. The Department of Forestry has identified 50 areas of interest along this trail. Meet at Health South parking lot at 400 Ray Hunt Drive. RMN walk leader, Susan Pleiss
- Saturday, May 31, 1:00 pm: Azalea Park to Bent Creek Bridge/5th Street.
Walking the length of the park, we will go into the woods crossing Moore's Creek on stepping stones; then follow the stream through spicebush and a grove of black walnut trees. Meet at Azalea Park, off Old Lynchburg Rd. near I-64. RMN walk leader, Dianne Gagliano.
- Sunday, June 1, 2:00 pm: Jordan Park to Bent Creek Bridge/5th Street.
This walk along Moore's Creek showcases spectacular fern varieties and large old trees within a dense forest. A wetland habitat on a nearby side trail adds to the diversity of plants and animals seen along this walk. Meet at Jordan Park, located at the end of 6th Street SE. RMN walk leader, Ida Swenson.
- Saturday, June 7, 1:00 pm: Quarry Park to Jordan Park.
Starting from Quarry Park, this trail follows Moore's Creek on gentle hillsides and through a second-growth forest. We'll look and listen for birds and other wildlife on this moderate hike to Jordan Park. Meet at Quarry Park, located off Monticello Ave. on Quarry Rd. RMN walk leader, Dorothy Tompkins.
- Sunday, June 8, 2:00 pm: Quarry Park to Woolen Mills.
On this trail walk we'll look for signs of wildlife along Moore's Creek as it leads us to the Rivanna River at Woolen Mills. Historic building sites along the way will add to the intrigue. Meet at Quarry Park, located off Monticello Ave. on Quarry Rd. RMN walk leader, Ruth Douglas.