What an incredible evening! The energy and generosity at the “Along the James” concert featuring the legendary James Taylor and his All-Star Band were truly inspiring. We are thrilled to announce that, thanks to all of you, this event raised almost $100,000 to benefit the Friends of the James River Park’s mission to protect, expand, and enhance the James River Park System.
We especially want to thank our friends at Live Nation for contributing more than $50,000 in support of our work, and the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation for being our “Belle Isle” sponsor for the evening. We are so grateful to Park neighbors like Live Nation and Dominion Energy for taking such a strong interest in the James River Park System.
This achievement is a powerful testament to our community’s deep love for this urban wilderness. From the moment the pre-concert reception began, the support was overwhelming, and we can’t thank Live Nation, the whole team at the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront, and all of our incredible attendees enough for making this night a resounding success.
“’Along The James’ was a meaningful reminder of how much the river means to Richmond,” said Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront General Manager Rebecca Street. “We’re grateful to Friends of the James River Park for their partnership and the work they do to preserve such an important landmark—and we’re proud that Allianz Amphitheater could serve as the backdrop for a night that celebrated music, community, and the natural beauty of the James.”
Your Impact in Action
This isn’t just a number—it’s a promise of what we can accomplish together. If you’ve been in the Park lately, it’s easy to see your support for the Friends of the James River Park in action. The Invasive Species Management Team, which is fully funded by the FOJRP, is working on eliminating invasive plants all over the park, including at Dock Street Park, so that native plants and pollinators can thrive again in the future.
Your generosity is directly enabling us to fund crucial projects. Work will begin soon on restoring Mayo Island, a cause we spent a lot of time and effort advocating for as part of our mission to expand the Park. Our friends at the City are also working on restoring public access to Texas Beach, using funds we helped advocate for. In addition, work has been completed on the JRPS Natural Resources Management Plan, which will guide our future conservation efforts.
It’s clear that while park funding in many localities often faces challenges, your support allows us to fill gaps, support Park staff, and help fund improvements that might otherwise never come to life.
Thank you again to our sponsors and for an unforgettable evening, and especially for your unwavering commitment to protecting and enhancing the James River Park System for everyone to enjoy.
