Healthy Parks Healthy People

Dogs and owners enjoy a walk in the park.

NPS

Appomattox Court House National Historical Park and six Virginia State Parks in the Central Virginia Region have created the Healthy Parks, Healthy People program for community members and park visitors. The initiative encourages people to spend more time recreating outdoors on their public lands. The program is a partnership of seven parks including Appomattox Court House National Historical Park, Bear Creek Lake State Park, High Bridge Trail State Park, Holliday Lake State Park, James River State Park, Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park, and Twin Lakes State Park.
To Participate:

• Visit one of the seven parks Visitor’s Center’s and pick up a Healthy Parks Healthy People passport booklet. These booklets contain information about the trails at the seven parks, as well as to hold your stamps.
• Walk one of the trails at the park, and stop in the Visitor’s Center to receive a stamp specific to that park in your passport booklet.
• Visit each of the parks, walk a trail, and receive a stamp to complete your booklet.
• Mail the completed Healthy Parks Healthy People booklet to Appomattox Court House NHP P.O. Box 218 Appomattox, Va 24522 or email a picture of your finished booklet to e-mail us
• Once submitted, you will receive a commemorative patch to recognize you walked at all seven parks, and be entered into a drawing for special prizes, including a National Park Pass and a Virginia State Parks Pass

The Healthy Parks Healthy People partnership’s mission is intended to showcase healthy recreational opportunities on public lands in Central Virginia, to increase awareness of the national and state parks, encourage stewardship of these special places, and promote the park’s importance in tourism and economic development in their communities.
Special Events:
All seven participating parks are additionally holding special events to promote the Healthy Parks Healthy People project. Check our website and Facebook page for upcoming events. Make sure to check the State Parks websites for events at the other six parks.

The February-March activities at the Park are as follows:

Dog Walks: Bring your dog for a casual walk along one of the Park’s trails on February 10th and/or March 3rd at 10 a.m. (Saturdays). The Feb. 10th walk will begin at the Appomattox River Pull Off along Highway 24. The March 3rd walk will begin at the Lee’s Headquarters Pull Off. Enjoy the fall air with your dog along the approximately 2 mile loop. Please wear appropriate shoes for walking in the woods. All dogs must be on a leash.

Birding Walk: Meet park staff on Feb. 17th and March 17th. The Feb. 17th walk will begin at the Lee's Headquarters Pull Off at 9:00 a.m.. The March 17th (you can even wear green if you like) walk begins at the Appomattox River Wayside parking area, along Highway 24 at 8:00 a.m.. The 1.5-2 mile walk will offer opportunities to find birds in and around a grassy field along the Ferguson Wildlife Trail. Come out to see and hear a variety of local species in their natural habitat. Several species of Sparrow and other songbirds spend the winter in and around open fields like the one in the Park. Dress accordingly for an outdoor walk, and wear comfortable shoes. Novices to experienced birders are welcome. Binoculars will be provided, or bring your own.