News & Features
Kiwanis Park at Chester Hotel Site Meanders Toward Final Approval
By VN Staff
Jul 16, 2008 - 3:37:24 PM

Yogi Berra once said, “It’s not over till it’s over.” That certainly applies when it comes to the Kiwanis Club of Chester’s effort to donate 5.3 acres to Chesterfield for a historical park at the location where the Chester Hotel once stood.
According to its February board meeting minutes, the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors accepted the donation and authorized the County Administrator to execute the deed.
But last week, the parks and recreation department held a public meeting at C.E. Curtis Elementary to inform the public of its intent to accept the Kiwanis’ donation. A deed had yet to be initiated. According to Mike Golden, director of parks and recreation, a public meeting followed by a substantial accord hearing by the planning commission and then another approval by the Board of Supervisors is needed.
Club members hadn’t realized that there would be much red tape involved in the donation, but were happy to see the process moving along. Dr. Joe Hillier and Guy Smith, Kiwanis members, attended the public meeting along with four residents who either lived adjacent to the proposed park or had relatives in the vicinity.
In 2011, bond funds totaling $100,000 will become available to use for park improvements. The parks and recreation department put together a conceptual plan that highlights the historical aspects of the site.
“We are very interested in preserving the history of Chester,” said Golden. “We will work with the Chesterfield Historical Society and the Citie of Henricus folks to see what they think we should do with historical interpretation.”
A pathway will meander through the site passing the former Chester Hotel location, as well as the site of Besecker’s Mill, and the cottages that were once part of the hotel complex. An interpretive trail will cut through the low area of the site and a gazebo will grace the center of the future park. A day lily and azalia garden will also add color and fragrance to the passive park.
According to Bermuda Planning Commissioner Sam Hassen, the Chesterfield County Planning Commission will determine whether the park fits the county’s planning strategy for the county  in September or October.


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