New Quarter Park- York County-Williamsburg

March 1, 2012

The mature forest, ridges, bottoms, and wetlands of this 545- acre York County park are alive with a wide variety of woody and herbaceous plants that provide habitat for deer, raccoons, birds, turtles, snakes, millipedes, and more. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ Birding and Wildlife Trail program has recognized New Quarter Park as one of coastal Virginia’s best sites for wildlife-watching and hiking.

History
Archaeologists have discovered prehistoric sites that reveal this land was home to Woodland Indians. After 1607, explorers from Jamestown crossed through the area to visit Chief Powhatan at Werowocomoco (Gloucester). The land along Queens Creek and the York River was granted to English settlers beginning in the 1630s.

In the early 1700s, Robert “King” Carter named this tract New Quarter, one of many quarters or farms that made up his landholding. He gave it to his grandson, Carter Burwell, who built Carter’s Grove. Slaves lived and toiled here for about 150 years. Nathaniel Burwell, Carter Burwell’s son, and many of his slaves moved west after the American Revolution.

During the Civil War, Union Troops at Fort Monroe launched a campaign to take Richmond, the Confederate Capital. Earthworks were built to slow the advance; Redoubts 12 and 13 are within the Park. After the Civil War, the forest grew while the land was lightly used by tenant farmers. York County acquired the property at no cost through the federal surplus land act program in 1976 on the condition that it be used for recreational purposes. Today the park is enjoyed by thousands of outdoor and recreational enthusiasts.

FACILITIES

• Available first come, first served: Hiking & mountain biking trails, playgrounds, picnic shelters, disc golf course, canoe & kayak launch, floating dock/ fishing pier, basketball & volleyball courts, soft ball field, horseshoe pits. • Picnic shelters may be reserved (see fees). • Public restrooms.

OFFICE

• Information, facility reservations, disc golf and canoe/kayak launch fee collection. • Drinks and snacks for sale. • Disc golf rentals and merchandise for sale.

• Special programs may require registration and fee; please inquire.

PROGRAMS

• Walk and Talk: First Saturday of the month, 10 a.m. to noon. Call for information about topic and leader.

• Bird Walks: Second Saturday of the month, 8 to 10 a.m.; Fourth Saturday of the month 7 to 9 a.m.

• BYOK (Bring your own kayak or canoe): Third Saturday of the month, April to October, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Special events:

Calendar available in the park office. Call 757-890- 3500 or 757-890-5840 to inquire or to add your e-mail address to the e-mailing list.

HOURS

May Through October: Open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk November Through April: Friday 10 a.m. to dusk Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to dusk

DIRECTIONS

From I-64: Exit 242A at Rt. 199 to Jamestown. Exit Rt. 199 at Rt. 143. Turn right. Follow Rt. 143 to Penniman Rd. Turn right. Travel 1 block. Turn left on Hubbard Lane. Follow Hubbard for about one mile. After Colonial Parkway overpass, turn right on Lakeshead and follow to park. From Colonial Parkway: Exit at Queens Lake. Turn right. Turn onto Lakeshead and follow the sign to New Quarter Park.

TELEPHONE

• New Quarter Park office: 757-890-5840 • New Quarter Park cell: 757-812-5589 • York County Parks & Recreation: 757-890-3500 • York County Dispatch: 757-890-3621 (non-emergency)