Running trails, cross-country skiing in the wintertime, dogs off-leash Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (or epic snowstorm!), fly-fishing, swimming in the summertime, biking/skating when the roads are clear, all right near downtown Charlottesville.
Riverview park has tons of options for getting outside around Charlottesville, VA. Part of the Rivanna Trail runs through here, so if you are really ambitious, this trail goes around the entire city. There are paved trails right along the river, so you can choose your activity. Running, biking, and fishing are some of the favorites around here. It's also super dog-friendly and the pups love to splash around in the river, especially on off-leash days. There is also a playground here for the kiddos and easy parking. The Downtown Mall is 5 minutes away, and there are tons of great restaurants to choose from for before or after your adventure.