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Great Shiplock Park features the restored shiplock and working canal lock, part of the historic James River & Kanawha Canal. This canal served as transport hub for the tobacco warehouses along Dock Street and extended 197 miles west through Virginia’s mountain ranges. From these parks you’ll find unique and amazing views of downtown Richmond and amenities such as benches, shade structures, and bike racks. Great Shiplock Park underwent a $450,000 renovation, fundraised by the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, in 2013 as part of the Virginia Capital Trail construction.
Chapel Island was named for the early Episcopal chapel located there and active prior to the 1741 founding of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Church Hill. Here you’ll find places to fish in the tidal James for species such as shad, white perch, rockfish, smallmouth bass, herring, and several types of catfish. There is also a half-mile of winding, wide and flat single-track for hikers and bikers, an accessible boat ramp and a non-motorized boat launch. In addition, the central gravel path continues west along the island to the 14th Street boat take-out. The parkland also includes the former Trigg Shipyard, which was built in 1898 and went out of business in 1903.
Park Partnerships
Capital Trees implemented the 2013 renovation and continues to maintain this area in partnership with the JRPS.
Unwanted Guests
Invasive plants crowd out many native species, and often hide historical artifacts on Chapel Island. Since 2014, numerous volunteer groups have worked to remove invasive plants and create habitats for native shrubs, trees and grasses.
Hours
Open from sunrise to sunset every day.
Friends of the James River Park is a private, not-for-profit organization, and is tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal EIN (tax ID) number 26-3587880.
Friends of the James River Park
P.O. Box 4453
Richmond, VA 23220
friends@jamesriverpark.org