Free in Short Pump: Henrico parks, the dog park and pump track, the Tuckahoe Creek boardwalk, library programs, Meadow Farm and the county's free events.
Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. Sources: Henrico Recreation and Parks’ park pages, park tips, school holiday activities and events list, the county’s Free for All announcement and the Henrico County Public Library calendar. “Free” means the organizer says so.
A lot of Short Pump costs nothing. Henrico County’s parks are free and open every day from dawn to dusk, the county libraries run free programs all week, and Henrico Recreation and Parks says its programs are free, with only a few needing advance registration. Henrico Recreation and Parks is 804-501-7275.
Free picks
- Walk the Tuckahoe Creek Park boardwalk or Deep Run Park’s 3.4 miles of paved trails
- Ride the bike pump track at Deep Run Park
- Let the dog run at Short Pump Park’s off-leash dog park
- Meet farm animals at Meadow Farm Museum in Glen Allen
- Story time at Twin Hickory, Gayton or Tuckahoe libraries
- Seasonal events: trunk-or-treat, movies in the park, Holiday Express, Jazz in the Park
Parks and trails
- Deep Run Park, 9900 Ridgefield Parkway: 3.4 miles of paved trails, ponds, playgrounds, fishing with a state license, and a bike pump track open to riders of any age or skill.
- Tuckahoe Creek Park, end of Ridgefield Parkway: an accessible boardwalk through the creek’s wetlands with scenic overlooks, for walking, nature watching and fishing.
- Short Pump Park, 3329 Pump Road: a fenced off-leash dog park with separate small and large dog areas, a playground and, in season, a spray park.
- Twin Hickory Park, 5011 Twin Hickory Road, Glen Allen: walking trails, two playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment and a spray park in season.
- Pouncey Tract Park, 4747 Pouncey Tract Road, Glen Allen: an accessible, inclusive playground and a nature trail.
Our walking and biking trails guide has distances and parking.
History you can visit
- Deep Run School Museum, in Short Pump Park: a two-room schoolhouse built in 1902 that served Short Pump’s white children until 1911, the county says. It opens for special programs and by appointment at 804-652-1455.
- Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Road, Glen Allen: a living history farm opened in 1981, with heritage-breed animals and an 1810 farmhouse. The grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk; arrive at the Parsons Community Center by 3 p.m. for a farmhouse tour during building hours.
- The Short Pump marker, at West Broad Street and Pouncey Tract Road, tells the story behind the name. Our history and landmarks guide has it, along with Deep Run Baptist Church and other sites.
Libraries
The county libraries closest to Short Pump, Twin Hickory, Gayton and Tuckahoe, run free story times for babies and preschoolers several mornings a week, plus crafts, STEM shows, teen nights, book clubs and holiday parties. Many are drop-in. See the library calendar and our kids’ activities guide.
Free county events
Henrico Recreation and Parks lists its events on its special events page. Free ones near Short Pump this season and last:
| Event | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Trunk or Treat + Movie in the Park | Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, 4:30 to 9 p.m. | Deep Run Park |
| Movie in the Park: Hamilton | Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, 6:30 p.m. | Crump Park, Glen Allen |
| Henrico Holiday Express | Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m. | Three Chopt and Tuckahoe, ending at Deep Run Recreation Center |
| Santa Paws | Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Short Pump Park |
| Jazz in the Park | Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026 (past) | Deep Run Park |
In summer the county’s Free for All campaign bundles free library and recreation programs, from reading challenges to concerts, through August. When schools are closed, the county posts free drop-in school holiday activities that need no registration.
Free at the shopping centers
- Short Pump Town Center, 11800 W. Broad St.: free parking, a lawn and seating in the Main Plaza, and children’s play areas on both levels, the center says.
- West Broad Village, 2250 Old Brick Road: a free Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration with Santa on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m.
What this means for you
Pick a park for the morning and a library program for the afternoon, and check the county events page each month. Seasonal lists are in our things to do this month guide.
Frequently asked questions
What can I do for free in Short Pump?
Henrico County’s parks are free and open daily from dawn to dusk, including Short Pump Park’s dog park, Deep Run Park’s trails and pump track and the Tuckahoe Creek Park boardwalk. Library story times and most county events are free too.
Are Henrico County Recreation and Parks events free?
Many are. The county says its programs are free and only a few need advance registration, its summer Free for All events have free admission and free parking, and its school holiday activities need no registration.
Is Meadow Farm free to visit?
The grounds of Meadow Farm Museum at Crump Park, 3400 Mountain Road in Glen Allen, are open daily from dawn to dusk. Farmhouse tours run during building hours; call 804-652-1455.
Can I see the old Deep Run School in Short Pump?
Yes, by appointment. The 1902 schoolhouse is a museum in Short Pump Park, 3329 Pump Road. Call 804-652-1455 to schedule a visit.
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