Project Spotlight: Taylor Farm Park Wins National Design Award
JRN Project, Taylor Farm Park, Wins 2025 Innovation in Park Design Award
Published on
June 9, 2025
Updated on
October 16, 2025

Henrico County’s newest destination park is getting national attention—and for good reason. Taylor Farm Park in Varina has been awarded the 2025 Innovation in Park Design Award by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), one of the highest honors in the parks and recreation industry.

This 99-acre park is the county’s first large-scale community park in more than 40 years, and it has quickly become a landmark space for outdoor recreation, family connection, and nature-based play. From the moment the master plan was revealed, it was clear this would be a project that pushed the boundaries of community park design—and James River Nurseries is proud to have played a role in bringing it to life.

A Community Park Designed to Inspire

Taylor Farm Park was designed with one goal in mind: to create an outdoor destination that meets the needs of today’s families while honoring the land and heritage of Varina. The site integrates active play, exploration, biking culture, and nature immersion in a way that feels both thoughtful and adventurous.

Visitors can explore:

  • A world-class skatepark
  • Spray park and splash stream
  • Boulder play areas
  • Pump track for biking
  • Treehouse-style playground
  • Zipline and climbing features
  • Miles of trails and open natural space

James River Nurseries’ Role

James River Nurseries was selected to contribute to several key landscape and site elements across the park. Our team assisted with:

  • Installation of sod and fine grading for open play and recreation areas
  • Paver walkways and hardscape transitions between major park zones
  • Landscaping around high-activity areas to blend structures into the natural environment
  • Natural boulder and stream integration at the splash park feature

This project brought together engineering, construction, and landscape architecture at an exceptional scale. JRN worked closely with Henrico County, Timmons Group, and Loughridge & Co. to help bring the site to life with careful attention to durability, safety, and long-term maintenance—critical components in a public recreation space that will serve generations.

National Recognition

Winning the 2025 NRPA Innovation in Park Design Award puts Taylor Farm Park on the map as one of the most forward-thinking public parks in the country. The award recognizes projects that deliver creative solutions, enhance community life, and push the standards of park design—exactly what this collaborative effort achieved.

We’re honored to have contributed to a project that not only serves the present but has been intentionally built for the future of outdoor recreation in Henrico County.

If you haven’t visited yet, put it on your list. Taylor Farm Park isn’t just a place—it’s an experience.

See more images of our work at Taylor Farm Park on our Portfolio Page.

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