It looks like it is going to be a great weekend to be outside. I plan on being in the Park this weekend with my family – probably trying to walk off all of the extra holiday food I will be eating – and I hope to see some of you out there on the trails and in the river!

As we wrap up 2021, it is important to reflect on all that you helped us achieve this year. From securing grant funding for an outdoor classroom to hiring our first Executive Director, to the many different projects related to removing invasive plants, we did a lot together to improve our Park this year. We could not have done any of it without your support, and for that, we are extremely grateful.

In the first few weeks of 2022 we will be working on a strategy review session with our Board of Directors. This will give us a chance to take a look at our goals and figure out our next big moves. Throughout the Spring we will be building our Reedy Creek Outdoor Classroom, launching a complete redesign of our website, installing new interpretive signage on Belle Isle, and hosting our first Wood River Run. We are also very excited about a partnership with Legend Brewing that we will be announcing more details about in a few months…

Stay tuned for that.

It is not too late for you to join us in celebrating everything that we love about the James River Park System. With a year-end gift to Friends of the James River Park, you can help us in our mission to protect, expand, and enhance our Park. Just a reminder that your financial gift to the Friends of the James River Park is tax-deductible.

In honor of one of my favorite holiday movies, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, I want to close out this message with one of my favorite Dr. Seuss quotes from The Lorax. I think is relevant to the work that we do-

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Happy Holidays from the Friends of the James River Park!

Josh Stutz
Executive Director
Friends of the James River Park