… and don’t forget your camera

Guest post and pictures by Woodie Walker

There are two trails at Rotary Poor House Park in Essex County. One is more challenging, with 60-70 feet of gradual elevation drop, descending through upland pine forest into shrubby, riparian habitat along the headwaters of Piscataway Creek.

The other is flatter, and easier on the legs, winding through pines and enough oaks and hickories to demonstrate this is a forest in transition. Together, they offer something for everyone looking for a local nature experience near Tappahannock on the Middle Peninsula.

Created in 2015, Poor House Park covers more than 600 acres and is operated by Essex County Parks & Recreation. Tornadoes later destroyed the initial trails in 2016, but Parks & Rec staff secured a grant from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation in 2021 to reestablish park infrastructure. Boy Scouts and local volunteers pitched in, and this spring, the park is poised for its best season yet.

I recently took my bike to Poor House Park to get a feel for the surroundings. It’s located about two miles off Richmond Highway (Route 360), about two miles southeast of Tappahannock. From Richmond Highway, take Kino Road (Route 619) to its intersection with Poor House Road. The gravel access path is about 200 yards on the right, and there is good signage.

The bike trail is a winding path through the pines. It was covered with leaves the day I visited, but not hard to ride. It’s marked by Xs painted on trees. Families with younger riders should not have problems taking this route.

Parks and Recreation Director Kay Carlton said another trail will open by summer. Long-term plans for Poor House Park at large include a visitor and education center, a pavilion for outdoor events, grills for picnics, access to the creeks, a playground, multi-use fields, and a dog park.

With so much acreage, Carlton says the park could eventually support a full-blown sports complex.

“We could have softball fields, baseball fields, soccer fields, concessions and bathrooms. This would be a place to host travel ball tournaments and Little League could use the field along with adult leagues. We also hope to have a playground and outdoor basketball courts. There is enough land to do it all.”

After your visit to the park, nearby Tappahannock has many restaurants to choose from, and its historic district features gift shops, the Essex Museum, and TAG, a gallery featuring local artists.

Driving time to Rotary Poor House Park is about an hour from Richmond and Gloucester, and about 1.25 hours from Fredericksburg.

Looking for even more outdoor activities? Check out Visit Tappahannock’s TAPP into Nature sample itinerary and make it an outdoor weekend getaway.

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Woodie Walker is the executive director of the Essex County Economic Development Authority.