Dorrier Park and Levee Walk

Dorrier Park, with its pleasant Levee Walk along the berm separating the open playing fields from the railway, is a nice spot for an afternoon or early morning walk. At first glance it may seem like a small park without much to see, but there is a lot of life hiding in the trees and brush. Along the levee, hikers can take in the commanding view of the park, baseball diamonds, and nearby treetops. In the southwest corner of the park, a small wastewater pond offers a haven for woodchucks, and could host a variety of waterfowl during migration. The open parklands and scattered trees hold numerous blue jays, northern mockingbirds, and large numbers of mourning doves in the fall. Tree, barn, and northern rough-winged swallows sally back and forth from the James River to the playing fields.

The Levee Walk provides views of the James River where swallows skim the surface all summer. Photo Credit: Lisa Mease/DWR

In the early evenings, large numbers of turkey and black vultures can be seen as they congregate before roosting just south of the park. In spring and summer, a wide variety of colorful butterflies can be seen flitting across the open fields. Look for eastern tiger and black swallowtails along with viceroys, monarchs and red-spotted purples. Dragonflies can also abound especially near the wastewater pond with eastern pondhawks, eastern amberwings and slaty skimmers being the primary players.