Free Summer in the Park Series Coming to Chesterfield
TL;DR: Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation is hosting a free Summer in the Park series at five county parks in July, featuring music, food, and the chance to meet district supervisors.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation; five district supervisors
- What: Free Summer in the Park Series with music, food, and community gathering
- When: July 9, 14, 16, 28, and 30, 2026; 5:30-7:30 p.m. each evening
- Where: Five county parks: Cogbill, Clarendon, Horner, Harrowgate, and Huguenot
The story
Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation is bringing free summer entertainment to residents across the county with its Summer in the Park Series, a five-date event series running through July. Each evening, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., county residents can enjoy music, food, and outdoor activities at parks throughout the county, with complimentary hot dogs, ice cream, and other vendor options available.
The series rotates through five county parks, each paired with a district supervisor who will be present to meet with residents. The schedule kicks off July 9 at Cogbill Park (6700 Cogbill Road) with Dale District Supervisor Dr. LeQuan Hylton, followed by July 14 at Clarendon Park (2428 Brookforest Road) with Clover Hill District Supervisor Jessica Schneider. The series continues July 16 at Horner Park (17701 Genito Road) with Matoaca District Supervisor Kevin Carroll, July 28 at Harrowgate Park (4001 Cougar Trail) with Bermuda District Supervisor Jim Ingle, and concludes July 30 at Huguenot Park (10901 Robious Road) with Midlothian District Supervisor Dr. Mark Miller.
All programs are free to attend with no registration required, making them accessible to all county families. Residents are invited to play, dance, and enjoy summer activities while connecting with their district supervisor and neighbors. Food and entertainment vendors will be on site at each location.
For more information, residents can contact the Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation department at 804-748-1000 or visit chesterfield.gov. More details are also available through the Parks and Recreation Programs page on the county website.
Key players
- Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation: Host and organizer of the Summer in the Park Series
- Dr. LeQuan Hylton: Dale District Supervisor, attending July 9 event at Cogbill Park
- Jessica Schneider: Clover Hill District Supervisor, attending July 14 event at Clarendon Park
- Kevin Carroll: Matoaca District Supervisor, attending July 16 event at Horner Park
- Jim Ingle: Bermuda District Supervisor, attending July 28 event at Harrowgate Park
- Dr. Mark Miller: Midlothian District Supervisor, attending July 30 event at Huguenot Park
Key dates
- 2026-07-09: Summer in the Park Series, Cogbill Park
- 2026-07-14: Summer in the Park Series, Clarendon Park
- 2026-07-16: Summer in the Park Series, Horner Park
- 2026-07-28: Summer in the Park Series, Harrowgate Park
- 2026-07-30: Summer in the Park Series, Huguenot Park
The case for
Free community events remove financial barriers to summer entertainment and outdoor recreation, allowing all residents regardless of income to enjoy county amenities and activities. The series provides informal opportunities for residents to meet elected district supervisors and county staff, strengthening community engagement and accessibility to local government.
The case against
Funding these events through county resources could be viewed as a discretionary use of tax dollars when some residents might prioritize funding for essential services like infrastructure, education, or public safety. Evening events in July may face attendance challenges due to heat and competing summer activities, potentially limiting the cost-effectiveness of the investment across all five locations.
Why it matters: The series provides free, accessible entertainment for county residents during summer months while strengthening connection between residents and their elected representatives. For families with limited budgets, these free events offer seasonal recreation and community gathering opportunities throughout the county.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-07-09Summer in the Park Series Begins at Cogbill Park: First event in the county series features music, food, and district supervisor Dr. LeQuan Hylton from 5:30-7:30 p.m. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=7377)
- 2026-07-14Summer in the Park Series at Clarendon Park: Second event features supervisor Jessica Schneider and complimentary food and entertainment from 5:30-7:30 p.m. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=7377)
- 2026-07-16Summer in the Park Series at Horner Park: Third event features supervisor Kevin Carroll and community gathering from 5:30-7:30 p.m. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=7377)
- 2026-07-28Summer in the Park Series at Harrowgate Park: Fourth event features supervisor Jim Ingle and free food and entertainment from 5:30-7:30 p.m. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=7377)
- 2026-07-30Summer in the Park Series Concludes at Huguenot Park: Final event features supervisor Dr. Mark Miller and community activities from 5:30-7:30 p.m. [[source]](https://www.chesterfield.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=7377)
Related links
- Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Programs
- Chesterfield County Parks and Facilities
- Chesterfield County Contact Information
Read the original at Chesterfield Parks & Recreation →
Sources
- Chesterfield County Civic Alerts - Summer in the Park Series
- Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation Programs
- Chesterfield County Parks and Facilities