Chesterfield County breaks ground on ‘park within a park’ at River City Sportsplex

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Chesterfield County formally paved the way for more wet and wild fun over at its state-of-the-art River City Sportsplex on Thursday, March 13.

"I don't know what the next steps are other than it looks like we have a couple of shovels," joked Chesterfield County Administrator Dr. Joe Carey at the event.

Officials said this project serves to represent "adventurer-ers."

"This is a park development project that was approved by the voters on the 2022 bond referendum," said Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Director Neil Luther.

Centered around a blue heron-shaped climbing structure, the new "park within a park" shines a spotlight on the James River ecosystem.

There will be a game space for young people, plus a 2,000-square-foot spray park, an outdoor fitness zone and walking trails.

"Easy access," Luther said regarding the site's positioning right at the center of the county. "It's a great location for residents and visitors alike to get to."

This sportsplex upgrade is not the only weekender's dream coming up in Chesterfield County. On Tuesday, March 11, just a couple of days prior to this groundbreaking, officials announced plans to re-open the historic Southside Speedway just around the corner. Still -- these are not the only projects underway in the Genito Road corridor.

"Look to the left here and that's where "The Lake" will be rising," Carey said.

Construction on "The Lake" -- which has come to be referred to as what will be "the world's largest surf park" -- is already underway. That massive project is growing in phases just down the street from both the speedway and sportsplex.

Luther said all of this family-focused development reminds him why he loves calling Chesterfield County "home."

"I raised my family here and I raised them here for a reason," Luther explained. "The more we're able to do on projects like this that improve the quality of life for current and future residents built around being connected to neighbors and friends … these kinds of spaces are perfect opportunities."

While shovels went into the ground Thursday, marking the official construction commencement, interested patrons will have to wait until next summer to experience the exciting new "park in a park."