Description

Curtis Memorial Park sits just north of US 17 in the quiet countryside of Stafford County. In addition to hardwood forest and open fields, the park holds the Gauntlet Golf Course and Curtis Lake. The lake acts as a magnet for waterfowl in the area and can often be productive, with great blue herons fishing its shores and belted kingfishers and the occasional osprey or bald eagle perching on the many dead trees.

Upon entering the woodlands surrounding the lake, you’ll be greeted by the raucous calls of red-bellied and hairy woodpeckers. The nearby fields house several pairs of northern mockingbirds and family groups of eastern bluebirds. In the summer months look for dragonflies such as eastern pondhawks and the occasional great blue skimmer along the trails and eastern amberwings and slaty skimmers along the lakeshore. Butterflies can also be abundant, with American snouts, eastern tiger swallowtails and question marks flitting throughout the park.

Note: Portions of the hiking trails are in the same area as the disc golf course. Visitors should remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings while walking these trails.

Directions

Physical Address: 58 Jesse Curtis Lane, Fredericksburg, VA 22406

From C. F. Phelps WMA, return to Rt. 651 and turn right (northeast) and continue for approximately 5.0 miles to US 17. Turn right on US 17 South and follow it for 5.5 miles to Rt. 612/Hartwood Road. Turn left onto Rt. 612/Hartwood Road for 2.0 miles to Rt. 755/Jesse Curtin Lane. Turn right (east) on Jesse Curtin Lane and follow into the park.