Chickahominy Bluff — Attraction in Mechanicsville

Chickahominy Bluff is a little bigger than a pocket-park, but it has the same cozy spirit of one. Between 3 and 6 interpretive signs (depending on how you count) discuss the history of the park, including the battlefield earthworks now protected behind fences. Cool breezes keep it pleasant in the summer, though it can get a little nippy in the winter.

Recommended location for walking small dogs and cats. Possibly good for games of fetch with a medium-sized dog. Few garbage cans, so plan to pack out what you or your animal companions bring in.

Oh! And if you visit at the right time of year, blue, green, and yellow dragonflies number in the thousands, here. If the dragonflies are not present, expect to find harvestmen/daddy-longlegs making good use of the trees. Bring your camera and your favorite...

No hiking trail, just a little park with some interesting history signs. One's got a good audio reading to accompany it. Recent fencing blocked off trails it may once have had to preserve the earthworks. But this park's best feature has nothing to do with history: the multitude of big, beautiful dragonflies everywhere. They didn't seem to mind being looked at up close, even. Entomological...

Nice little piece of the Seven Days battles. Just off the very busy Mechanicsville Turnpike and not far from. HWY64 is Chickahominy Bluff. Pull off the turnpike and you are in a quiet wooded area where there are still field works. An overlooked part of the Richmond national park system and significant where Lee started his...