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Parks & Recreation

The Farmville area is home to many outdoor enthusiasts who take full advantage of all available recreational opportunities. The Willis River offers lovely floats through Cumberland, and the Appomatox River offers the same through Farmville. The James River, beautiful in scenery and busy with recreational activities, is located within a short drive. The Friends of the Appomattox River are working to improve stream accessibility in Prince Edward County. Plans include the opening of a Blueway route beginning on Buffalo Creek at the Business 460 Bridge, connecting with the Appomattox River and continuing eastward on the Appomattox River to the Riverside Park Boat ramp just before the Route 45 Bridge. This route will include approximately two miles of flat water for paddling opportunities and will enhance Farmville’s quality of life.

The Sandy River Reservoir is a 740-acre county-owned lake in Prince Edward that is stocked and managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Public facilities at the reservoir include a double board ramp with courtesy pier and a 150-foot fishing pier. The nationally regarded 845-acre Briery Creek Lake and 3,100-acre Wildlife Management Area, located about seven miles south of Farmville, appeals to hunters and fishermen. Wilck’s Lake, a 35-acre lake and 175-acre natural area, is a lovely retreat positioned just a few blocks from the downtown Farmville area.

Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland County and Twin Lakes State Park in Prince Edward County provide a wide range of outdoor activities and programs. Hiking trails, camping facilities, and swimming areas are available. Cumberland County boasts one of the best multi-use (hike, bike, and horseback) trails in the area. Cumberland State Forest is home of 16-mile Willis River Hiking trail (foot traffic only) and miles of multi-use trails for horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking. The State Forest includes an archery range and a 10-station sporting clays range. The campus of Hampden-Sydney College houses a circuit of nature trails used by hikers and bikers. Farmville’s Dogwood Trail is located off High Street and stretches approximately half a mile north through a beautiful hardwood forest to Southside Community Hospital. This paved walking trail is for non-motorized use and will someday be connected to the Trail that loops around Wilck’s Lake by a bridge over Buffalo Creek. A four-mile portion of the High Bridge Linear State Park opened in 2008. The completed park between Pamplin and Burkeville will run through Prince Edward County and the Town of Farmville and will offer a great place to walk, bike, and ride on horseback.

The golfer is content in the Farmville area with nine-hole courses in both Cumberland and Farmville. The Manor Resort Golf Club, in Prince Edward County, is the centerpiece of a 1,060-acre multi-use resort community. The golf course, which opened in June 2006, was recently honored by Golf Digest as “One of the Best New Courses for 2007.” In just two years, the all bent grass golf course has already garnered a reputation as one of the best in the mid-Atlantic region.The Town and County Recreation Departments, along with the Dixie Youth League and the Prince Edward/Farmville Youth Association, offer year-round programs for area youth and adults. The Farmville Skate Park is open to all skateboard enthusiasts during daylight hours.

The Southside Virginia YMCA, located at 580 Commerce Road, has been impacting lives in Southside Virginia for more than 15 years by providing programs and services that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. In May 2008, a new state-of-the-art facility was opened on 32 acres of land with such amenities as a wellness center, children’s activity gym, a teen center, group exercise room, and an indoor warm water family recreation and lap pool. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 6 am-9 pm; Saturday, 7 am-7 pm; and Sunday, 1-7 pm.

For the spectator, Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College have gained national reputations for accomplishments in basketball, baseball, football, and other sports in their divisions.

The new Virginia’s Heartland Regional Visitor Center and Transportation Heritage Museum in the Town of Farmville is a wonderful source of tourist and recreation information serving the Prince Edward, Cumberland, and Farmville areas. Brochures, maps, magazines, and flyers are available for local and regional events and activities.