Park365: Family-Friendly Playground Stop Along I-95

Park365 is a great stop if you are traveling through Richmond, Virginia. It is conveniently located just off routes I-95 and I-195, and is an easy on-and-off. It is adjacent to and built by Soar365, an non-profit organization “committed to building a world where people with disabilities play, work, socialize, and thrive as part of their local community”. Most features in the park are accessible to children of all abilities. There is a parking lot next to the park, and the playground is completely fenced in, which is always a plus in our book!

There are two traditional-style play structures with inclusive elements, in addition to slides and climbing walls. There are swings and musical instruments, as well as an accessible “tree house” that allows children of all abilities to get a bird’s eye view of the park. There is a small water feature, but we visited in December and it was closed, I am assuming for the season.

In the center of the park is a large patio with several picnic tables. If you are familiar with my road trip advice, we like to feed the kids in the car and then my husband and I will enjoy a picnic while they play. While I realize some people prefer not to eat in the car, we find that feeding our kids before or after a stop allows them to maximize burning off some energy when we do stop. It has worked very well for us, especially when we don’t have a lot of time to stop.

The only downside to this playground is the lack of shade. We visited during the winter months so the sun added some welcome warmth. In warmer months, we will bring sunhats, sunscreen, and plenty of water. There is also a water refill station near the restrooms, so you can fill up before you hit the road again. The restrooms were open, even in the off-season. They were clean, with running water, but the toilets were stainless steel. It was not an issue for us, but I know some kids, especially those newly potty-trained, can be easily put off by new or unusual bathrooms.

Are you planning an East Coast road trip? Don’t miss our I-95 Guide with great stops like this! Be sure to connect with us on social media for more family travel tips!