WILLIAMSBURG — The City of Williamsburg released information on its Facebook Page regarding a potential downtown children’s park it is considering following recent feedback from the community.
Multiple residents came forward at the March city council meeting to express their opinions about a “Splash Pad” coming to North Henry Street near Colonial Williamsburg in response to the 2025 Hampton Roads Economic Outlook presentation given at the Williamsburg Financial Retreat in February.
Slide 49 of the presentation notes the city requested that Davenport & Company, the city’s financial advisor, look into analyzing the funding of a new capital project — Peacock Hill Park was proposed at an estimated cost of $6.5 million with an estimated open date of July 2026.
“Largely funded by grants and private donations, the Peacock Hill children’s park is designed to include a splash pad that is public art, sand play, climbing centers, slides, and a carousel, all themed to Williamsburg’s historical context and design standards,” the slide explained.
Citizens spoke both for an against such a project during open forum at the March 13 city council meeting.
“I’m not a fan of the idea of having a large children’s park right in the location that [the city] is talking about,” said one. “The proximity to [Colonial Williamsburg] and not to mention taking away a pasture and the Oxen seems unusual.”
Parking, traffic and safety concerns were also raised.
Not all feedback was against the idea, however.
“I’m here to speak not for the trees, but for the kids and working parents who might really benefit from the park as a resident of the city, and I think it’s important to remember that there’s a lot of different constituencies who might benefit,” said another. “I would love to see more family-friendly places downtown that enhance what we already have.”
The city emphasized in its post that the park is still in the conceptual phase and is an idea being evaluated, and the city council has not yet approved the project, its design, its location, or financing.
While acknowledging that the identified land at the corner of North Henry and Prince George streets was a suitable location for a downtown children’s park, the city noted it does not own the land and has not made any agreement with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
The city also stressed that the project would not be a “splash park.” While it acknowledged that there would be a water feature in the park as a play structure, it would not be the only feature. Other possible features under consideration include:
- Climbing centers, including one designed as a mini replica of the Powder Magazine
- Artistic fountain
- Interactive play garden
- A slide
- Playground sand
- A carousel
- Public restrooms
Finally, the city assured the public that the Colonial Williamsburg pasture would not be eliminated, noting the park would be an estimated 44,200 square feet which would be 20% of the unfinalized location on the corner of North Henry and Prince George streets.
“The downtown children’s park concept is not ready for a decision by City Council. However, the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget may include a financing plan for the project to allow for evaluation and further consideration, just like any other potential capital project,” the city explained. “The city’s FY26 Budget process is underway. Council is slated to consider the budget’s adoption on May 8.”
The next city council meeting will be on April 10 at 2 p.m. at the Stryker Center. For more information, visit the official website.
