Greetings Friends of the James River Park!
It is almost Spring! We really mean it this time. At our monthly meeting last week, the FOJRP Board of Directors approved spending a little over $75,000 to support two safety-focused projects in the Park. Both projects are being funded in partnership with Parks and Recreation. That means your donated dollars are being used in conjunction with City funding, and a great example of how we can work together to protect, expand, and enhance the Park that we love so much.
The first of these projects, which should be completed in the next month or so, is the repair and improvement of the Tredegar Street boat ramp. This important entrance to the James is used by recreational boaters, and it is one of the easiest places for the Richmond Fire Department water rescue crew to quickly get their boats in the water. The current conditions of the ramp make it challenging for RFD to get their boats in the water, making this project an efficient investment in river safety and a high priority for us. We are supporting that project with $20,000. The remaining funding for this approximately $55,000 project will come from the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities (PRCF).
The second project, the Reedy Creek Bypass (RCB) has been on the drawing board for more than a year, and is something that Park staff have wanted to see for a long time. The RCB will create 1,000 feet of new 10’ wide gravel path intended to separate vehicle and pedestrian traffic near the Reedy Creek Visitors Center/Park HQ. This short trail along the access road will take pedestrians and cyclists around the employee and work vehicles that are parked at Park HQ. The project will involve removing the existing fence that sits between the Park and the rail road, installing a new fence approximately 15 feet South of the current fenceline, and creating a new compacted gravel path in the space created by moving the fence. A green barrier will be installed between the car parking area and the new trail in a future phase of the project. FOJRP donor dollars are providing approximately $56,000 to support the Reedy Creek Bypass work, with PRCF covering the rest. Construction on this project should begin in late April or early May.
These two projects would not be happening without the support of our friends at the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities. I especially want to thank Director Chris Frelke, Deputy Director Shamar Young, Senior Superintendent Mike Burton, and JRPS Superintendent Giles Garrison for the work they did to make these projects a reality. I also want to thank all of our members and supporters for their continued involvement. Without steady and reliable donated funding from people that love the Park these improvements would not be possible.
Spring is also the time of year when we start to look at the budget for our next fiscal year. I hope to be able to share some exciting news about that process with you in just a few months, so stay tuned! I will keep you updated as we proceed with these projects, as always let us know if you have any questions. You can always reach us at friends@jamesriverpark.org.
See you in the Park!
Josh Stutz
Executive Director
All Images Courtesy Bill Draper Photography
