Lawrence Lewis, Jr. -Park Charles City County

February 20, 2012

Civil War Trails site

Lawrence Lewis, Jr. Park is a 24-acre site located on the James River and accessible from Route 5 via Wilcox Wharf Road. This is a great place for fishing, bird watching and picnicking. The park is home to eagles, blue heron and other waterfowl. A Virginia Civil War Trails exhibit tells the story of Union army crossing the river from this landing in 1864. Six historical exhibits related to the 1600s connect the park to the John Smith Adventures on the James driving tour. The park is also a Chesapeake Bay Gateways site and a stop on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife tour. Park amenities include a picnic area, comfort station, fishing and birding pier and a short swamp boardwalk leading to a wooded trail. The park has separate entrances for the upper and lower levels – don’t miss half the park

This park provides the only north side public access to the James for approximately 36 river miles between Henrico and James City County. A wooded area surrounded by acres of farm fields, the park provides a tranquil setting in which to fish, picnic or appreciate nature. A 200 foot fishing/birding pier provides a panoramic view of the James River. Bald eagles winter in trees overlooking the river and great blue herons and wood ducks nest in park wetlands created by active beaver. The site is an historic river landing once the site of tobacco warehouses and in 1864 the point from which the Union Army crossed the James before the siege of Petersburg.