Dec 28, 10 AM: Rockwood Park Hike

• Weather Conditions on Hike Day
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• Rockwood Park was created from land that was once part of Rockwood Plantation. According to an article, The Gregory Family of Rockwood, by Thurlow Gates Gregory, that appeared in the Chesterfield Historical Society’s January 2009 Messenger, the Rockwood Plantation [the crossroads property] residence was on the northwest corner of the intersection [of Courthouse and Hull St.], facing what today is Route 360. The store was west of the residence. The cemetery is northwest of where the residence stood. Across Courthouse Road from the residence, in the northeast quadrant o the property, stood the office. The mill pond and gristmill were northeast of the office. The icehouse and blacksmith shop were on the southeast quadrant of the property. The cooper shop and barns were on the southwest quadrant of the property.
• The plantation house was built by Reverend James Gregory (1809 – 1877) and burned in the early 1900s. Gregory’s Pond, fed by Falling Creek, provided water for the mill; and the mill was destroyed by arson in 1987. The park opened in May 1975.

Our three mile hike on some of this land will be a composite of the White Blaze Trail and the Orange Blaze Trail. We will meet at the Nature Center and hike three miles through evergreen and Deciduous forests. This is a hike over woodland trails, paved surfaces, and gravel roads. Participants should be able to maintain a pace of twenty-five minutes per mile. The ability to recognize toxic plants, negotiate rocks, roots, fallen trees, damp trail conditions, steep ascents, low hanging vines and branches, uncertain footing on hills, spider webs, scorpions, and reptiles will be beneficial.
Hikes begin at the posted time, not five or ten minutes later. If you are unfamiliar with the meet up location, add a few minutes to your travel schedule so you can find us. If you need help on directions, click on the map found under "How to find us" in the event description to display a larger interactive map. When you select "Directions" the best route from your location to the Meet Up rendezvous spot will be calculated. Before the hike be sure to place anything that might invite theft in your trunk before you leave your car parked while you are hiking.

• After the hike interested hikers have the option of gathering for refreshments and a nutritious afternoon meal, snack or beverage.

• What to bring

• Water bottle, clothing appropriate for the season, a cap or bonnet, trekking poles, insect repellent, band aids, practical footwear & a snack.

• Important to know

• Restroom facilities are available at the Nature Center.
• Police Non-Emergency Phone Number: 804-748-1251
• Event Organizer Contact Number => 804-297-7634