Darden Towe Park

Darden Towe Park lies in northern Charlottesville along the east bank of the Rivanna River. Open playing fields, as well as a small pond, several thick brushy areas are a great place to search for killdeers and the occasional chipping sparrows foraging in the short grass. At certain times of year large flocks of “blackbirds,” including common grackle, red-winged blackbird and the introduced European starling, descend on the park to forage, and roost on the telephone wires and fence lines.

While walking along the river, listen for red-bellied and downy woodpeckers overhead and watch the river for migratory waterfowl or the resident Canada geese. During migration there is also potential for a variety of neotropical migrants to appear. Later in the fall, yellow-rumped warblers appear and are sometimes joined by ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets, as well as white-throated sparrows. The summer months bring the flowerbeds alive with butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies.

Also available at the park is the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center, which offers a variety of rotating activities and exhibits related to exploration skills, including nature observation and hiking.