James River Park

Or call (804) 646-5733 or email friends@jamesriverpark.org for more information.

• Christina
  Jul 17, 2019
  Beware for Bad Dog Owners

  I thought it would be great to take our two dogs here to get cooled off in the river. Our dogs were in control and on leashes. As we crossed the railroad tracks to climb down the stairs to access the water we encountered a man with a dog not on a leash. The dog was a pitbull which I wasn't too concerned about because so was mine. But his dog cornered my husband and one of my dogs in the stairwell. I was yelling and the owner was nowhere to be found! After about five minutes a guy comes up the stairs and says "sorry about that"...really?! Then while on the trail everyone we encountered did not have dogs on leashes. The worst thing is that when a dog not on a leash rushes a dog on a leash, no matter the breed, it can smell trouble. I recommend one of the state parks instead

• Ria
  Apr 21, 2018
  Forest Hill Park and Texas beach

  We parked at Forest Hill Park and took a walk towards James River. There were lots of mountain bikers and other hikers with dogs. My pup was hot so he cooled down in the stream and the river. Over all we had nice 1 hour walk. I stopped by again at Texas beach of James River. There is free parking lot with bathroom. You have to take the iron bridge across of the rail track to get to the river. There is some sand and easy access for dogs to swim.

• Katherine
  Dec 16, 2017
  Love Visiting this Park

  As a Richmonder I have visited this park many times both with and without my dog. I have never encountered a dog off leash unless they're in a canoe with their owners. I have brought my dog there but please keep in mind that dogs are not actually allowed in this park according to the city website.

• Brendalin
  More than a year ago
  Any dog can be a threat

  I can't help but notice how Pitbulls have been mentioned in the past two reviews. ANY dog off leash can pose a threat. ANY!! Can we please stop picking on breeds and focus on the irresponsible owners. The dogs are at risk for injury too. It goes both ways. Big, small, old, young, if we love our furbabies and respect others we keep our animals by our side, secured.

• Monique
  More than a year ago
  off the leash

  I agree I've been on the foot bridge and have seen dogs off the leash. Bad owners !
  It's too late when their precious oh no my pitbull is friendly has it's mouth clamped down on a person of other dog ! I say take pictures of the offenders and post them online and show the police
  

• Hedy
  More than a year ago
  Beware of Dogs Without Leashes

  As a Richmond local it is nice to see that the James River is a option on this web site. However, please know that every time I have been over the walking bridge on Belle Isle that there are dogs, with their owners, off leash. Recently, there was a good sized crowd walking both ways on the walking bridge, and a family with a baby in a stoller going one way, and an off leash adult size pit bull goin the other direction. You could just see everything in the near vicinity tense up as these two met just a few feet from each other. This clearly demonstrates a disregard for and disrespect of other people as well as other dogs. The City of Richmond does a very poor job of enforcing the leash requirement unfortunately, and there have been several dog attacks that have ended tragically. The owners do not realize that they cannot control their dog until it is too late, and that should NEVER happen. I think there needs to be more enforcement of the leash requirements and more signs - litter the area with signs - it is better to do that than to wait to have a dog attack a child or another dog. One suggestion whether you trek this area on your own, with your family or with your dog is to carry dog mace with you. You can purchase it at your local gun store. I have two cannisters of it. My dog and I have been attacked two times by a loose dog in the past year.

We dug up 5 pictures of dogs at James River Park.

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