Get Out and Play!
Vacations should be a time to relax and unwind, with plenty of time for play and fun. While it’s true that everyone needs downtime, it’s especially important for children to have time to romp. Traveling can be stressful for little ones, and having time to run, jump, climb and explore at our Appomattox area parks may be just what they need during your stay at the Babcock House.
Children are always welcome at the Babcock House. You’ll often find Remy, our son and fellow innkeeper, helping in the garden or with his sibling Euan playing on the screened-in porch. We’re parents as well as innkeepers and know that asking children to sit quietly in the car for a long drive or behave in an unfamiliar place can be stressful. The best way to unwind or simply to help your children enjoy their vacation is to let them play. We have yard games at the inn so you can enjoy bocci, horseshoes, yardzee or disc golf just steps from your room. It’s a great way to unwind if you’re too tired to head back out in the car.
However, if you’d prefer to find a local playground, we’ve put together a list of local parks and outdoor amusements for children of all ages, but mostly for kids under age 12. All the recommended places are a short driving distance away from the inn. Most are free, while others, like Holliday Lake State Park, charge a nominal entrance fee or an activity fee. Please check with specific venues for fees, hours, and age or other restrictions. We’ve linked to their sites so you can access the information easily from our blog.
And let’s not forget – adults need time to play, too! So while this is a guide to local children’s playgrounds and parks, read to the end for a few venues suitable for both small and big kids to have fun. There’s plenty to see and do in our small, friendly rural town and nearby locations. The Babcock House is a convenient starting point for a day’s adventure, whether it takes you to a National Historic Park or to a local park for playtime.
Let’s get out and play!
Where to Go: Local Playgrounds
Appomattox Area
Appomattox Town Park
Hunter Street (near the high school)
The Appomattox Town Park is a favorite destination for local families. It is near the high school and about 1 mile from the Babcock House. The park is free and open dawn to dusk. It includes a great playground for small children, a walking trail, and a real train caboose on display. Trains are an important part of the area’s local heritage and helped local farmers and tradesmen ship goods by rail to Richmond, Lynchburg, and beyond. The local train line also played a critical role in the days leading up to Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House. The park is so close to The Babcock House that it’s an easy destination for families with small children, and it offers places to play as well as sit and enjoy the seasons.
Appomattox Community Park
250 Hunter Street, Appomattox, VA
Appomattox County Park is located on the southern side of town, a 9 minute drive from the Babcock House. It features a traditional children’s playground for ages 7 and under plus easy walking trails around the park. The park itself is surrounded by open fields and woodlands and is known as a great area for spotting local wildlife and birdwatching. There’s also a baseball diamond and a picnic area if you’d like to pick up a snack in town to bring to the park for a picnic.
A unique feature at the Appomattox County Park is the Elk Creek Disc Golf Course. If you’ve never played disc golf, you’re in for a treat! Instead of swinging your nine iron, you toss a disc (like a Fisbree) to the hole, a raised basket. It’s great fun for the whole family, especially older children and adults.
Holliday Lake State Park
2759 State Park Road, Appomattox, VA
Holliday Lake State Park offers playtime for children as well as adults throughout the park.
The park offers walking biking, and hiking trails, swimming areas, and boat/canoe rentals. You can park very near the children’s playground. There is extensive playground equipment and a nice soft, sand base for safe play.
Near the playground is the boathouse and snack bar. You can rent canoes and paddle boats at the boathouse during the summer months. Along the lakeshore is a designated swimming area that’s popular during the summer months. It does not have a lifeguard, so parents, please be sure to accompany your children even in the shallow splashing area for their safety. Bring a blanket or chairs and your sunscreen for a fun afternoon splashing on the shore and playing in the “Critter Hole” play area.
On land, there are several walking trails, and many are easy for school-age children to enjoy with an adult. The lakeshore trail includes benches and wildlife viewing areas with interesting signs describing the local wildlife, such as birds and fish, and a butterfly garden. Play a game with your child and see if you can spot the animals described on the sign. Here’s a hint: if you walk to the dock about halfway around the lake, it’s easy to spot turtles sunning themselves on logs near the shore.
There is an entrance fee to the park. Hours of operation vary, so check the park’s website when you’re staying at the Babcock House to plan your trip.
Appomattox Community Library for Rainy Day Fun
J. Robert Jamerson Community Library
Main Street, Appomattox
Located just about a mile and a half from The Babcock House on Main Street is the J. Robert Jamerson Community Library. It’s a great retreat on a rainy day if the kids are getting restless. Story time, craft days and more are available, but check the library website for dates and times of activities.
Farmville-Area Playgrounds and Recreation Areas
Farmville is a small college town located about 30 miles east of Appomattox. It’s an easy drive along Route 460 from Appomattox into the main part of town. Take the first exit heading east for the shortest route to the Wilck’s Lake area where you can find the playground.
Wilck’s Lake Lion’s Club Playground
West Third Street, Farmville
Wilck’s Lake is a 55-acre lake located on the outskirts of Farmville. There are several parking areas, ball fields, a skateboard park, a walking trail around the lake, a brand-new children’s playground, and a splash pad opening soon.
The Lion’s Club Playground is a great playground for children 7 and under. It features climbing areas, slides, and more, with areas for grown-ups to sit and rest in the shade near the lake while the kids play or dig in the sand. Some of the playground is in the open sun, so if visiting during July and August, pack a sun hat or take a break (it can get hot!). The playground area is free and open to the public from dawn to dusk.
There’s a well-marked, shady walking trail along the lakeshore that’s mostly flat and well-groomed, making it easy to push a stroller or take a young child for a stroll. It’s a popular local spot for dog walkers, joggers, and bird watchers, too. Food is available a short drive away in the town center of Farmville, including fast food and sit-down restaurants.
If you travel just a little further past the entrance to the Lion’s Playground, you’ll see the Farmville Community Library. The library often has free children’s programs such as movies, story time or crafts, so you may also want to check out what they have to offer, especially if the weather changes and a sudden thunderstorm brings an end to outdoor fun.
Another unique area to visit is the skateboard park, located on the far side of the lake. If you have teens who love skating, bring their boards and safety gear, and let them enjoy the well-designed skateboard park.
Splash Pad
Located at Wilck’s Lake, Farmville
We’re including the Splash Pad even though at the time of this writing (May 2024) it is not open yet. Work has been progressing on it, however, and we hope it is open by July 2024. Please check the town’s website for updates.
The Splash Pad is a new addition to the town park at Wilck’s Lake. It is located near the Lion’s Club playground and picnic island and features many water arches and sprays so kids can cool off during the hot Virginia summers.
Sandy River Outdoor Adventure Park
47 Monroe Church Rd, Rice, VA
Big kids, teens, and adults will love the Sandy River Outdoor Adventure Park. The park features an outdoor adventure course complete with high and low rope climbing obstacles and a zip line. Unique safety features, including a two-part belay system, ensure that climbers are never left without an attachment to a safety rope. This means they can climb, fall, and try again without fear. You can make reservations for up to three hours of fun on the rope course.
A few notes: First, there is a fee to enjoy this park, so do check the website for prices and hours of operation. You must also make reservations to enjoy the outdoor adventure course.
Lastly, there are height and weight guidelines to ensure the safety of all to enjoy the park. All participants must be at least 48 inches tall and weigh at least 60 pounds and not over 260 pounds. Children ages 7-12 must be accompanied by an adult (or by someone 15 years of age or older acting as an adult) with a ratio of 3-4 kids/adult. Teens aged 13 – 14 may be able to climb solo depending on size, strength, and maturity level.
Adults can get out and play too, with bike and boat rentals available through Sandy River Outdoor Adventure Park.
Tips for a Fun Day’s Outing
Check your favorite weather app for the forecast, but be prepared for pop-up thunderstorms, especially in early spring and throughout the summer. Take cover inside your car if you’re at a town park or playground and it starts rumbling. If you’re visiting Wilck’s Lake, go inside a building, such as the library, or stay in your vehicle until the storm passes.
If you aren’t from Central Virginia and you’re visiting us during the summer, the heat may take you by surprise. During the height of the day, in the full sun, the heat can be intense. Bring sun hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water or your child’s favorite beverage with you to ensure they stay hydrated and comfortable.
Although food is available near many of these parks and venues, many parks do not have concession areas. Picnic tables and grills are available at some of the parks, but you’ll need to bring your own food and beverages. Stop at one of the local supermarkets – Walmart, Kroger, Food Lion – to pick up quick snacks for the trip. There is a Walmart and Kroger in Appomattox and a Walmart and Food Lion in Farmville.
Let’s take a moment to talk about restrooms: some parks have them, some don’t. Holliday Lake has a traditional restroom while Wilck’s Lake only has portable toilets. The library is very close by, however, and has indoor restrooms. If your child is fussy about using more primitive accommodations, take this into consideration and plan accordingly.
Lastly, you know your child best and what will appeal to them. If you have a water baby who loves to splash, the lake may be better than an outdoor playground on a hot day.
Welcome to Our Youngest Guests
We hope that this guide to local area parks, playgrounds, and outdoor adventures helps you and your family have a pleasant stay at The Babcock House and enjoy our small town hospitality at the local parks, playgrounds, and outdoor play areas. From our local Appomattox Town Park to the Elk Creek Disc Golf area at the Community Park, there is fun for kids of all ages, including grownups, who want to get out and play. So plan your adventure, load the car up with snacks and water, and head on out. There’s fun waiting for you!