Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton, Virginia
1“Their minds were not built to sit and be taught. They were built to explore, play and learn.” -Layla Gordon Lu
Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton (pronouced stanton), Virginia has a lot of wide open spaces for you and your toddlers to explore, play, and learn. If you live locally to the Shennendoah Valley or are visting or passing through, Gypsy Hill Park is a great place for you and your toddlers to spend some time.
Gypsy Hill Park is located at 600 Churchville Ave, Staunton, VA.
Gypsy Hill Park has a circular one way drive that loops around a duck pond, ball fields and many open spaces to run and play. There are two playgrounds. There is a pool, train, stage, gym, and golf course. You can grill at various charcoal grills you will find throughout the park at picnic tables and pavilions. Or visit the Statler Brother’s Memorial near the Gypsy Hill Park Gym.
Playgrounds
The first playground is a ‘tot lot.’ This playground is located near the Poplar Street entrance of the park. You will love how this playground is designed for ages two to five. While it is rated for older ages, my kids really started to enjoy more than just the swing starting around 16-17 months. There are bouncy toys for your kids to ride. And there is a train to pretend to drive along with slides and swings.
This playground is also where the adaptive swings and wheelchair swing are located. Unfortunately, you must cross gravel then woodchips to access these swings. The ‘tot lot’ is fenced on two sides with a gentle hill on the third to create a natural barrier. This playground is a favorite for for my toddlers at Gypsy Hill Park.
The second playground has two playgrounds. There is a larger structure for your older kids to climb, play, and slide on. It is rated for ages 5-12. The other structure is rated for ages two to five. This second structure is fun for toddlers, but a little harder than the ‘tot lot’ plaground for the younger ones. Also, if your toddler is like my older son-they will book it to the larger structure every chance they get. There are regular swings and baby swings here too. This playground has a fence along two sides and it’s located up the hill from the duck pond near the front entrance to the park.
Duck Pond
The Duck Pond is one of my toddlers absolute favorite stops while at Gypsy Hill Park. We park in the loop near the pond just after the front entrance. Then we head across the street to the Royal Convenience Store. They sell bags of duck food for $1. My boys always ask for a piece of candy too. It’s their special duck pond treat.
After we head back across the street, we feed the ducks and fish in the pond. There are also little kiosks that sell a handful of duck food for 25 cents.
Walking
There are pathways near the duck pond that make for a lovely walk. These paths are great for the little ones because there are no cars. And there is a lot to look at from the paths from the Duck pond to to the stream and beyond that the mini train. You can also choose to walk Constitution Drive -the circular drive that loops around the park. You will enjoy beautiful sweeping views of the park. In the fall the leaves are beautiful as they change, in the winter there is a Holiday Light Show. The spring brings flowers and the summer brings beautiful green grass and a flowing stream.
Gypsy Hill Park Express
Who can resist a ride on a train? Especially a mini one that goes through tunnels and over bridges right next to the duck pond? The Gypsy Express Mini Train runs with volunteer man power from Memorial Day to Labor Day as well as some weekends in May and September. This year the Gypsy Express doubled as the Hogwarts Express during the Queen City Mischeif and Magic Festival. Rides are $1 per person. And the train is open weekends from 1-5pm weather permitting (it does not run in the rain). Rides are free July 4th and Labor Day.
Pool
After riding on the train head next door to the Gypsy Hill Park Pool. You will be able to enjoy an olympic sized swimming pool and toddler pool. The toddler pool with zero depth entry is gated off from the larger pool to keep the little ones close and safe.
The larger pool has two slides near the shallower end. To use the slide your children must meet the height requirement. If they cannot than they must be able to pass a swim test. Your younger kids will not be able to use the slide. But if you have older siblings tagging a long this is a fun activity for them.
If you get hungry there is a snack bar. And when you’re ready to leave there are changing facilities and showers.
Open Gym at Gypsy Hill Park
From November to March, your toddlers can attend open gym with you. Staunton City Parks and Rec holds Open gym at 9:30 am-11:30 am for kids 0-5 every Wednesday (except the 4th Wednesday of the month). It is $3 cash (they only take cash since you pay when you arrive) per kid over one years old. The location is the Gypsy Hill Park Gym.
My older son loves to ride the bikes and cars around the gym. My younger son enjoys pretending to cook in the play kitchens and racing toy trucks across the floor. Your kids can also enjoy a toddler sized bouncy house and balls to toss and roll.
Other Activities
If you have aspiring fishermen and women in your family you can bring your littles to fish at Lake Tams. The small lake is stocked with trout so your toddlers can have fun reeling in their catch. Adults are required to have a fishing lisence.
You are welcome to bring your dog anywere in the park on a leash. But the Gypsy Hill Dog Park is located next to Lake tams for your pup to run around.
And beyond the dog park is Action Skate Park. Your kids can show off their tricks on their skateboards, rollerblades or bikes.
Gypsy Hill Park has something for everybody.
**all photos are taken by myself (Sarah Adair)
*all information is from personal experience and Staunton City Parks and Rec