Three Chopt in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Bandy Field Nature Park
■ It was part of the outer defenses of Richmond during hte Civil War.
■ Traces of earthworks can be found in the southwest corner of the park.
■ Dahlgren's Raid in March of 1864 took place near here.
■ A few decades later, African-American Farmers settled the land.
■ The land was acquired by the City of Richmond in 1955.
■ In the 1980s and 1990s, there were threats of sale of the land for development. The prospect of a sale by the City reached a peak in 1998.
■ City and County residents formed the Friends of Bandy Field to preserve the land as a nature park.
■ Because of the persistent and vigorous efforts of hundreds of adults and children, the Richmond City Council was persuaded to establish Bandy Field Nature Park, an official City park.
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this page online
■ In addition to volunteers from the partner groups listed on the right, volunteers came from the Virginia Muslim Coalition for Public Affairs, Richmond Tree Stewards, Boy Scout Troop 418 Capitol, Orchard House School, Virginia Commonwealth University, Collegiate Schools, and the James River Garden Club.
■ The wetland area was established.
■ Invasive plants (Tree of Heaven, English Ivy, Wisteria) have been and continue to be removed.
■ Native plants have been reintroduced to the areas where invasives were removed.
■ Other plantings were established to enhance drainage corridors for water quality and wildlife.
■ Root systems and canopies prevent soil erosion and protect our streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay by processing excess nutrients to prevent groundwater pollution.
■ In summer, plants cool the surrounding area with shade and the transpiration of water.
■ Established native plants prevent reintroduction of invasive species.
■ Wetland plants were chosen for their ability to filter and absorb pollution from nearby highway, lawns, and airborne pollutants.
■ Many of these wetland plants provide food, shelter, or act as host plants for butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates.
■ The area provides habitat for amphibians, small mammals, and birds.
■ In addition to naturally occurring native plants within the canopy, gaps along the edges have been planted with desirable native plants that help support wildlife and prevent establishment of invasive plants.
■ The mass of pines, understory trees, and shrubs helps control air and water pollution and cools the surrounding terrain.
■ The pine forest and edge habitats also provide an ecological study site for patch woodland dynamics of wildlife interactions, feeding habits, and water quality studies.
Wisteria: Wisteria reduces the natural spaceing and density of food-producing leaves, promoting stunting and premature death.
English Ivy: English Ivy retards leaf photosynthesis and it promotes tree limb damage during storms as wewll as making the tree more vulnerable to being blown over.
The preservation of open green space and the restoration of natural habitats are made possible by:
Friends of Bandy Field City of Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation The Boxwood Garden Club The Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton The Virginia Native Plant Society Pocohontas Chapter The Allicance for the Chesapeake Bay and many individual supporters.
2004 Winner of The Garden Club of Virginia Common Wealth Award
Friends of Bandy Field is an organizatioon dedicated to protecting and preserving Bandy Field as a natural open green space for the continued enjoyment of the community.
Erected by Friends of Bandy Field.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1864.
Location. 37° 35.208′ N, 77° 31.941′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Three Chopt. It is at the intersection of Three Chopt Road and Hanover Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Three Chopt Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6701 Three Chopt Rd, Richmond VA 23226, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Dahlgren's Raid (approx. half a mile away); Skipwith Academy (approx. 0.9 miles away); Westwood Club (approx. 1.2 miles away); Westwood Baptist Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Three-Chopt Road (approx. 1.3 miles away); Richmond Defences (approx. 1.3 miles away); Ziontown Community (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Westwood Community (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Outer Defenses (was approx. 1.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 18, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 18, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
