Parks & nature

Charlottesville maintains a generous and well-kept park system. **McIntire Park** is one of the most popular, offering athletic fields, a skate park, and botanical gardens. **Pen Park**, often called the "gem" of the city park system, features tennis courts, picnic shelters, and nature trails along the river. **Ivy Creek Natural Area**, located on the city's edge, is a preserved historic farm offering miles of tranquil walking trails through varied habitats. Nearby, the Ragged Mountain Natural Area provides a rugged, forested retreat centered around a picturesque reservoir.