About Us

Mission Statement

The Division of Recreation and Parks exists to enhance the quality of life and to foster a sense of well-being and community for the citizens of Henrico County. This is accomplished through management of resources and by facilitating leisure services and recreational opportunities in safe and well-maintained environments.

Vision Statement

The Division of Recreation and Parks strives to:

provide the citizens of Henrico County safe, clean, and well-maintained parks and facilities;
provide the citizens of Henrico County with a wide range of convenient and affordable general-interest recreation programs, classes, activities, and special events;
maximize the use of parks, open space, athletic sites, and facilities;
ensure the protection of open space and historically significant properties in the County for the recreational and educational needs of future generations of citizens;
cultivate an effective and dynamic workforce; and
attract visitors to Henrico County as a premier family-and-friends tourism destination.

Division History

The Division of Recreation & Parks began during the Depression. In 1934, organized summer recreation programs were offered at three schools. From 1940 until 1945, summer recreation (June to September) was supervised and administered under the direction of the Henrico County Welfare Board. In 1945, under the County Manager form of government, the responsibilities of public recreation in the County were delegated to the Superintendent of the Department of Education.

In 1950, Recreation & Parks was transferred to the General Government area and placed under the part time leadership of Mr. Ellett R. McGeorge, Jr. In 1956, Mr. McGeorge was appointed as Director. He held this position until his retirement in 1988. Recreation was recognized as a full time operation in 1969 when the County of Henrico Board of Supervisors voted to create the Division of Recreation and Parks. Three bond referendums, $7.5 million in 1977, $7.1 million in 1989, and $16 million in 2000 have enabled the Division to build a sound foundation through the construction of numerous parks and facilities.

Perceiving the need for more citizen involvement, the County of Henrico Board of Supervisors established the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission in 1976 and the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee in 1990.

Division Fast Facts

The Division has compiled a list of facts including history, budget, facilities, and parks. View the Fast Facts for FY18.

Division Organizational Structure

The Division of Recreation & Parks is led by a director who reports to a deputy county manager. The Division is divided into three main sections: Administration, Park Services, and Recreation Services. For additional details, view the Organizational Chart.

CAPRA Accreditation

Henrico County Recreation & Parks joins the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies and is a measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. This mark of distinction indicates that an agency has met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety and services. Henrico County was awarded accreditation during the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, MD.

Awards

2023

National Association of Counties (NACo) Award

Achievement Award for Juneteenth Celebration
Achievement Award for Park Mobile
Achievement Award for Parsons Community Center

Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) Award

Achievement Award for Parsons Community Center

2022