Address:
118 Clemmons Lake Place Lynchburg, VA 24501
Phone:
(434) 455-5828 (Mon–Fri)
(434) 385-4294 (Sat & Sun)

Ivy Creek Park (the nature park) is located in the Lynchpin Industrial Park, which houses nine major businesses with over 1,400 employees. Ivy Creek Park is a green oasis that includes the six-acre Clemmons Lake, multi-use trails, picnic and play areas, as well as an auxiliary site for the naturalists of the Nature Zone and some of their aquatically-inclined reptiles and amphibians.

Enjoy the serenity of Ivy Creek Park’s Clemmons Lake. Whether you venture out on the water in a canoe or kayak, fish from the pier, or enjoy a picnic lunch on the shore, you’re sure to enjoy the day! Bring a group for the fun of it.

The grounds of Ivy Creek incorporate green design principles such as aggregate paving in the parking lot to help reduce stormwater runoff along with landscaping that includes native plants and trees selected to attract wildlife and provide food and shelter. 

History

Ivy Creek Park was dedicated on Friday, June 3, 2011.  The property, including Clemmons Lake, had been acquired from the Lynchburg Economic Development Authority, who acquired it years before from the Pugh family as part of the build-out of the Lynchpin Industrial Park. Dr. William Thomas Pugh, a renowned local surgeon, was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing; and operated the property as a family get-a-way. He had acquired the property and made basic improvements, including moving an old cabin onto the site that formed the core of a bunkhouse for family and friends. The cabin originated as part of the 275-acre Staunton Hill estate off Rt 600 outside of Brookneal, Virginia. The main house and outbuildings were constructed in 1845 by the Bruce family. According to local stories the log cabin was moved from a nearby plantation and was considerably older than the other buildings. Like most old cabins, there’s even an unsubstantiated tale that the cabin was originally part of Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest estate.

Park Amenities:
  • Lake with canoe and kayak rentals and fishing access
  • Multi use and ADA compliant trails
  • Picnic area
  • Play area
  • Auxiliary site for Nature Zone and Naturalist Staff

 

The Power of Solar

When you visit the park, you’ll see the park concessions and rental cabin is now fully powered by solar! You will be able to view the results of a solar panel installation from the outside, and also be able to head inside the cabin where a solar and nature expert from the park will walk them through the process of solar energy. You’ll even be able to see solar in action through a live feed of the solar electricity levels powering the cabin and interact with the display.

 
Canoe and Kayak Rentals
We will be offering rentals at Ivy Creek Park this summer, from June 1–September 1. Rentals will be Saturday & Sunday from 10:00am–5:00pm. Please note we provide PFD rentals for people 30 lbs and over.
 
The cost is $8/kayak and $10/canoe. Rentals includes PFD, paddle and boat for 1 hour. You may also rent a canoe or kayak for the entire day for $40.00. No reservation required. Call 434-455-5858 or email natureoutdoors@lynchburgva.gov for more information.
 

NOTE: Outside canoes and kayaks are not allowed. You must rent from Parks and Rec.

Trails at Ivy Creek Park

The primary lake trail winds downhill from the parking area, towards the lake, and families can stop and enjoy the picnic areas and play area along the way. This portion of the trail is ADA compliant, as are picnic areas, and play area. Once at the lake, a circuit trail continues along the eastern edge, providing those with limited mobility access to a brand-new discovery pier and fishing stations tucked into the shore. The paved trail ends at a boardwalk which crosses a small wetland area, populated by ducks, geese, turtles, and other aquatic animals. From there, the remainder of the trail is a simple earthen surface, cut into the steep hillside above the lake, and traveling gently through the wooded forest of the park before re-joining the paved section just past the naturalist cabin.

Fishing at Ivy Creek Park

There’s a new fish in town–in fact, in late November about 400 lbs. of trout and catfish from the Montebello Fish Hatchery were brought to Clemmons Lake as part of the Urban Waters Fishing program managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. If you haven’t noticed them, new Virginia Trout Water signs have been placed around the lake identifying the species and catch limits.

There are a few simple rules to remember before heading out to match wits with a trout. First, anyone 16 or older must have a Virginia State freshwater fishing license year round. In addition, anyone 16 or older is required to have a trout license from November 1 to April 30. At Clemmons Lake trout and catfish are catch and keep, and have a limit of 4 fish per day, per species, for each person. There are no lure restrictions. All other fish are recommended for catch and release. Fishing at Clemmons Lake is from sunrise to sunset every day.

Remember to practice responsible fishing and don’t leave line or hooks behind. Clemmons Lake will continue to be stocked even throughout the winter months, so be sure to get out there and enjoy the winter weather at beautiful Ivy Creek Park.