Wildrock

Address

Wildrock, Blackwells Hollow Road, Crozet, VA, USA

Best Nature Play Themes

• Creating Imaginary Worlds
• Digging/Sand/Mud Play
• Exploration & Discovery
• Water Play

Park Narrative Summary & Directions

Wildrock is a Nature Playscape and Discovery Center in rural Crozet. It includes a 3-acre, fenced nature playscape with over a dozen play zones; a trail that meanders through forests, meadows, and across streams; a Barn with nature-infused indoor play opportunities; and more! If coming from Charlottesville, follow Barracks Road North West. It will turn into Garth Road and then Browns Gap Turnpike. At the Piedmont Store in White Hall (about 11.4 miles from Barracks Shopping Center) bear right to remain on 810. Bear to the right at Piedmont Store, onto Brown’s Gap Turnpike (State Rte. 810). Do not go straight as this will take to you to Sugar Hollow. Wildrock will be 8.3 miles from this point. Continue on 810 and at about 3.86 miles from the Piedmont Store you will bear right (do not continue straight onto Walnut-Level Rd; this leads to Innisfree Village). At 6.18 miles from the Piedmont Store you will turn right, over a small bridge, onto Blackwell’s Hollow Road (still State Rte. 810). Wildrock is 2 miles from this point. Look for a black pasture fence. Turn left onto the paved drive and park behind the barn or in the overflow lot. Please do not go up Cottonwood Headquarters—that is our neighbor’s private drive! If you reach Chap Place Lane you’ve gone about .2 miles too far. Enjoy the drive; it’s beautiful!

All Nature Play Themes

• Balancing & Scrambling
• Building with natural materials
• Collecting & Trading
• Creating Imaginary Worlds
• Digging/Sand/Mud Play
• Experience Plantlife
• Exploration & Discovery
• Hiding
• Hill-rolling
• Home Base
• Magical Forest Thresholds
• Picknicking
• Prospect & Refuge
• Running
• Surveying
• Tool Play/Making
• Tree Climbing
• Water Play
• Wildlife Watching

Risk Play Opportunities

The Discovery Loop Trail offers exciting opportunities for risk play including stream crossings, rocks and logs to climb over, and forests that feel remote and wild. There is a great climbing tree near the pavilion. The Playscape includes a stream to explore, a log obstacle course with large carved bear to climb on, and large sticks to use in fort-building.

Transportation Infrastructure

Parking is limited at Wildrock so reservations are required. The parking lot is centrally located within Wildrock and the trails, Playscape, Barn, and other areas can be accessed easily.

Accessibility Considerations

The Playscape, Barn, and Pavilion are mostly accessible for wheelchairs and strollers via gravel paths and low-grade slopes. Some areas of the Playscape that are off the path will be inaccessible for some wheelchairs. The trail is not wheel-accessible.

Safety Factors

While the Playscape is fully fenced, the Trail is not. There is wifi in the Barn, but there is no cell service at Wildrock.

Ecological Educational Opportunities

The Playscape stream has a riparian buffer, there are multiple gardens of native plant species, a bird sanctuary provides bird-watching opportunities, several trees along the Discovery Loop Trail are identified. Ladybird Farm provides an opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture.