What To Do

State Park, Parks, and Gardens

State Park

Smith Mountain Lake State Park
1235 State Park Road
Huddleston, VA 24104
540-297-6066
Web: www.dcr.state.va.us | www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/smi.shtml

What to do:  Go for a walk or ride bikes along the quiet roads.  There are several small playgrounds and numerous places to sneak a peak at the lake.  Fishing and boating are also available.  Admission is required, but there is no attendant and the fee, $3 on weekdays and $4 on weekends, is paid in envelopes.  Bring single bills.

Best Roads to Ride:  Park near the swimming beach and ride up to Interpretive Trail and back.  For a challenge, ride up Overnight Road, which has larger hills.  Stay on the roads, as the trails are not meant for bikes.  If you have a child learning to ride, the paved parking lot near the swimming beach might be the place to make the move off training wheels.

Parks and Gardens

Smith Mountain Lake Community Park
Franklin County
Parkway Avenue
Smith Mountain Lake
www.franklincountyva.org/parks/sml_park.htm
When finished, this 37 acre park will have picnic shelters, hiking trails, biking trails, beach area and ADA accessible fishing area. This park will be phased in. The first phase will be the initial access to the 37 acres and shoreline stabilization. Phases two and three will include all the amenities.

Falling Creek Park: Visitors are offered a variety of leisure opportunities in Bedford County's centrally located Falling Creek Park. The 250 acre park offers a rural setting with picnic shelters, playground equipment, a fitness trail, various outdoor game courts and over 7 miles of marked trails that offer walkers, hikers, mountain bikers, runners and others, opportunities to enjoy the out of doors. The trails take users through a variety of habitats, all offering opportunities for sighting the wide variety of birds and other wildlife that frequent the park. Visitors along the bluebird trail are practically guaranteed a sighting of bluebirds and tree swallows during the spring and summer months. For more information call 540-586-7682.

Liberty Lake Park: Liberty Lake Park is comprised of 60 acres and features three developed playgrounds, a stocked fishing lake, fishing docks, three ball fields, three lighted tennis courts, state-of-the-art skateboard pod, fenced basketball courts, a roller-skating and walking loop, five picnic shelters, two concessions stands, vending machines, racquetball court and a nature trails facility featuring a paved handicapped accessible trail. Public restrooms and large open play areas are available. The Community Center is located here where many classes and programs are conducted. Liberty Lake Park is located on Hwy 122 South (Burks Hill Road).

Poplar Park: The 1.5-acre park on Grand Arbre Drive is home to the largest Yellow Poplar tree in the United States and the largest tree in Virginia. The park features picnic tables and benches.

Orange Street Park: This 2-acre ball field located on Orange Street is home for girls softball.

Greenwood Park: Located at the intersection of Greenwood Street and Quarles Street, this 3-acre park provides picnic tables, basketball courts, playground equipment and an open play area.

Reynolds Park: This 5.5-acre park on East Main Street features walking trails, gazebos and gardens.

City Lake: Located on Lake Drive, this 4-acre park features a small lake for fishing, quiet woods and picnic tables.

City Park: Located in the center of the City on Main Street, City Park provides benches for relaxation and pleasant viewing of the Historic District. Many downtown events are held here.

Edmund Street Park: This 6.5-acre park features playground equipment, picnic tables, tennis and basketball courts, gardens, horseshoes, a picnic shelter and large open play area.

The Wharton Garden: The Wharton Garden is adjacent to the Bedford Central Library and the Wharton House. Encompassing two historic structures, it consists of perennial and shrub borders, annual beds, a gazebo, brick walks and terraces and a mature boxwood maze.

Upcoming Events

  • Jul 4 - LibertyFest - 5:00pm to 11:00pm - There will be live music & entertainment 6:30 – 10:30pm. Folks attending LibertyFest will have a front row seat as a huge fireworks show is launched from the D-Day Memorial, Burk’s Hill, Bedford’s highest point. The Beer & Wine Cafe is being hosted by Bud Light and Hickory Hill Vineyards. Hot Dogs, Burgers, Lemonade, Funnel cakes and ice cream will also be available. Children’s activities and arts & crafts will also be on hand. Admission is only $5 per person. Children 12 & under are free. Bring your own chair. The Bedford Farmers Market is located in the heart of Centertown, with entry gates on Washington Street behind Bedford Hardware and on West Main Street next to SunTrust Bank - 540-586-2148 - www.centertownbedford.com

  • Jul 12 - 4th annual “Horse and Hound” Wine Festival at Peaks of Otter Winery - 11:00am to 6:00pm - Enjoy wine from nine of Virginia’s finest wineries while listening to good music and visiting art, craft and food vendors. Virginia’s most unique wine festival has numerous events throughout the day with horses and dogs as the primary attractions such as the Parade of Horses, agility dogs and muskrat racing. Families will enjoy this festival because it appeals to both young and old. The event takes place on the spacious and gracious grounds of Johnson’s Orchards. Tasters $15.00, General Admission $10.00, Children & Dogs $5.00. - Peaks of Otter Winery and Johnson's Orchards, 2122 Sheep Creek Road, Bedford - 540-586-3707 - www.bedfordwine.com.

  • Jul 12 - Sedalia Blues Festival - The James River Blues Society of Sedalia presents BluesFest 2008, featuring the Blues Competition. Following the competition will be performances by various headliners. Food, beer, wine, beverages and food for sale. Wine garden by Virginia wineries. Held rain or shine in our covered pavilion. RV and rough camping available. No coolers or pets, please. Fast becoming the most popular Blues festival in Virginia! - The Sedalia Center, 1108 Sedalia School Road, Big Island - $15 adv/$20 door - 434-299-5080 - www.sedaliacenter.org

 

These events and more can be found in our event calendar.

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