James River Park System Superintendent Nathan Burrell sent me an email recently with a raft of year-end numbers on park visitation, volunteer hours, etc. The headline stat? Based on extrapolations from car and person counters set up at the 12 most popular park locations, the JRPS saw 1,305, 907 visits last year. That’s up from 900,224 in 2014, and makes it by far the most popular site in the Richmond region, according to this article in the Times-Dispatch (Maymont is No. 2).

Here’s a sampling of some 2015 statistics:

Total visits: 1,305,907

Most popular park unit: Care to hazard a guess? It was Belle Isle, and it wasn’t even close. Add together the count from visits coming in from the north (509,743) and visits coming in from the south (145,770) and you’ve got 655,513 visits in 2015, about half of all total park visits. Pony Pasture was a distant second with 193,027. Texas Beach, somewhat surprisingly to me, came in third with 108,336 visits.

Volunteering: 2075 volunteers worked 8441 hours on projects like trail building, tree planting, trash cleanups, graffiti painting, invasive species removal and much, much more. At $22/hour, that’s the equivalent of 4.2 permanent employees. Those volunteer groups also donated $31,743 in 2015, up from $5,513 the previous year.

Burrell also noted the year-end awards the JRPS garnered from Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine.

Best Urban Park; Honorable mention – Best Paddling River; Honorable mention – Best Biking Trail (Buttermilk); Best SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board) Spot (James River); Runner Up –  Most Inspiring Outdoor Person (Burrell).

All in all, a pretty darn good year from Richmond’s favorite playground.

 

home page

I ran into Mike Baum, Executive Director of Keep Virginia Beautiful a while back, and our conversation reminded me of the cool event his group sponsors every year that’s coming up. On Saturday, Jan. 30th KVB will hold its 2nd annual Shiver in the River at Historic Tredegar. This year the event has three components: a community clean-up; a brand new 5K run/walk; and the James River Jump.

Shiver in the River starts with a clean-up along the James, surrounding areas and in respective neighborhoods, where participants will give 60 minutes of their time to pick up trash and beautify the community. The inaugural 5K follows the clean-up. Here all ages are welcome to run or walk while enjoying the beauty of the river area. Then those daring enough to brave the frigid James will splash into the chilly river. For those who enjoy staying warm, Shiver In The River attendees will celebrate in the “Winter Festival” at Tredegar with heated tents, food and beverage trucks, and entertainment.

“This is an exciting mission-centric event,” said Baum, “our goal is to raise awareness of the impact litter has on our environment and that it’s up to us to change our behavior and make a difference.”

Shiver in the River is a fundraising event supporting KVB’s programs that focus on litter prevention, recycling, beautification and environmental education. Incentives will be provided to participants based on their level of fundraising, with a minimum of $75 needed to receive the coveted Shiver in the River long-sleeve t-shirt. For added fun, participants will be encouraged to wear costumes or clothing that represents them and their group. For more information and to register, check out www.ShiverInTheRiver.com.

home page

Have you ever taken a trip to the river and just felt like there was a lack of space for you and your pup to just hang out together and enjoy the nice pristine scene of the river? Yea, I’m pretty sure all of us James River goers have experienced those times at the river where the crowds are too much to handle. Well, never fear, Ms. V is here to set you free!

I will be sharing with you guys some of the best sweets spots along the river that will allow you and your pup that relaxing alone time you guys so desperately seek. Whether you’re a new-comer to the city looking to explore this great river or someone who is just looking to get out and relax by the water, the info I’ll share with you  will be worthwhile and will have you wanting to hit the river more often.  To keep this more interesting, I’ll share a few sweets spots every month and will give direction to these spots as well as descriptions on what you can do there. So let’s get this started!

Sweet Spot No. 1:

Pump House Park

This is probably my absolute favorite spot to take almost all of my adventure-loving dogs. Pump House Park is home to a gorgeous Medieval-looking building, which is the Pump House. The building was constructed in the late 1800’s, and it was used to pump water to the William Byrd Park (formerly “New Reservoir Park”). The Pump House also provided a huge open air space on the top level that was used for social events. The building was abandoned in 1924 due to a newer and more sustainable building being built just east of it. In the area, are three canals that run to the east and the west, there are reading posts at each canal providing descriptions about the use of that canal.

This park offers trails that lead down to the river, historical self-guided nature trail tours. And directly across Pump House Drive are the Dogwood Dell hiking trails, which are amazing for tiring out an active dog. Now this place is pretty easy to navigate, some parts of the trail can be a bit difficult when you want to get to the river, other parts are easy-peasy.  The first and best way that I have found to get to the great spots of the river in Pump House Park are right across the bridge over the canal and down the stairs. Pass over one canal and turn to the right,  you will soon come upon a trail to your left that will have black tar-like gravel to lead the way.  You’ll want to follow that path and take it all the way across the tracks and then to another path. From the tracks you will soon be at the river. There are plenty of different spots to hang out and take a dip in the water.  The first area you come upon is perfect for rock hopping and making your way over to the island where you have access to some swimming spots and sunbathing spots. Farther down you’ll find great spots for some swimming as well as fishing.

Basically, this location is perfect for just about anyone, and it’s easily accessible by all fitness levels. A forewarning to those with dogs whose prey drive is pretty high, there are deer in the area so it’s best to have an open ear and eyes on your dogs, especially around the train tracks. Look out for the next portion of this segment coming very soon. Happy tails!

home page

Today is the final day to make your voice heard on an issue that may very well threaten the health of the James River above (and down into) Richmond. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is finalizing the Bremo Power Station coal ash pond dewatering permit.

Environmental groups, like the James River Association and others, and concerned citizens worry that Dominion’s intentions to dump millions of gallons of wastewater per day into the James River could have significant negative consequences for the river.

According to c-ville.com: Alleging that the wastewater potentially being discharged from a Fluvanna County power station will contain coal ash and toxic metals, some are worried about the environmental impacts on the river in which many swim, fish and boat. The Department of Environmental Quality has issued the permit, but is allowing comments from the public until December 14.

Pat Calvert, JRA’s Upper James Riverkeeper, told c-ville.com, “I will certainly not swim in those waters…Those who may ingest or be exposed to discharged wastewater could be affected by these substances, particularly while they are less diluted and in higher concentrations. Fishing could be affected through the effect on the game fish and the forage.”

Calvert says millions of Virginians rely on the river for drinking water, recreation and economic value. Various levels of danger are associated with each chemical present in the coal ash wastewater—lead, arsenic, mercury, selenium, boron and thallium—that could be dumped and, though the DEQ will require the chemicals to be diluted and present below certain levels, he says most of the contaminants are heavy metals with varying levels of toxicity, radioactivity and potential for damage to water quality and human and aquatic health.

But there’s still time to make your voice heard: Click here and email the DEQ’s Beverly Carter and call upon DEQ to protect the James River from toxic releases. Tell them that we need the necessary improvements in this permit before it is issued. Click here for more.

home page

If you know me, you know I am passionate about two things: conservation and recreation. I spend my workdays advocating for public river access on the James, from the Alleghany Highlands to the Chesapeake Bay. When I’m not advocating for access, I’m usually enjoying the fruits of my labor.

Public river access is important to our uniquely Richmond way of life and we need more of it. Access contributes to a better quality of life for residents of our region and creates business opportunities (think Riverside Outfitters). An expanded network of access sites will lessen human impact on special places like the James River Park System and meet the recreational needs of a growing population. Access to the James makes our favorite river pastimes, like rafting and kayaking the Falls of the James, rock-hopping at 42^nd Street and Pony Pasture, swimming, and fishing.

November was an exciting month for river enthusiasts in our region. Numerous public river access projects are in the works, and the good news is they are not confined to the city limits. Localities above and below Richmond are doing their parts. Chesterfield County is moving forward with an exciting proposal to create a 109-acre riverfront park on the James at Falling Creek. This project recently received a $302,000 grant from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation and will feature boating and fishing access as well as a trail network connecting to Drewry’s Bluff and Falling Creek Linear Park and Ironworks. Goochland County plans to construct a canoe launch at Tucker Park to be complete in 2016. A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the park a two weeks ago. The City of Richmond also announced plans for the Intermediate Terminal and the “Sugar Pad” two weeks ago. Local civil engineering and design firm, Timmons Group, has been contracted to develop conceptual plans for the site and will hold public meetings beginning in mid-January 2016 to discuss project concepts and design recommendations.

As these projects are getting underway, the James River Association continues to work with Timmons Group, 3north, and the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission to finalize a draft of the Regional Rivers Plan. This plan, one of four recommendations of the Capital Region Collaborative’s James River Work Group, is expected to catalyze public river access projects on the James, Appomattox, Chickahominy, and Pamunkey Rivers. The plan is expected to be complete in early 2016.

More river access is on the way, RVA!

home page

A buzz filled the air throughout the James River Park System this fall in the weeks leading up to November 15th for the second annual King of the James.  Question’s like, “Who can rival last year’s winner Adam Tremper?” or “What will the river levels be?”  A race like KOTJ depends on many variables involving the weather. The river too high or trails too muddy can make or break the event as well as play a huge role in training for it.

It was inspiring to be around the river and see numerous long boats strapped atop cars running shuttle on the lower James. Long boats are worthy of speed and without one, you cannot win King of the James.  It is inspiring to see so many friends who normally spend their time on the river throughout the year, transition off the river and onto the trails. These bi- and tri-athletes flooded Richmond’s singletrack, riding bikes to nail down their lines over stream crossings and other obstacles strewn throughout. I even caught site of  registrants getting their lungs warmed up for the run in Forest Hill Park and reevaluating their fitness during the off season. This year people not only wanted to do well in King of the James, but there was angst to be crowned King.
King of the James is an adventure triathlon. One that was created to celebrate the terrain we have here in Richmond. The city’s park system is comparable to those in even the best ‘mountain towns,’ despite being in Virginia’s Piedmont.  The falls in Richmond and the bluffs surrounding the river are an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, and we can access them every day of the year. Furthermore, you can go on a trail run, mountain bike ride, and paddle all in one day. These assets are unique to Richmond. Thus King of the James was born.

The event more than doubled in size in its second year, going from 96 participants in 2014 to 200 in 2015.  Reedy Creek is the perfect staging grounds, with its proximity to trail access as well as being the principle put-in for the most dramatic section of whitewater on the entire James River.  Producing the event in early November surrounds racers and the entire course with spectacular fall colors – The James River Park System at its finest.  November 15th proved to be the perfect day of racing with temperatures in the mid 30’s which rose to low 50’s along with the river stable just below 6 feet on the Westham Gauge.
Although the course is not particularly long in distance, it makes up for in difficulty.  The Forest Hill Trail is demanding on the lungs with steep climbs that keep on coming.  It’s similar to a high intensity interval workout with roots and stream crossings.  Then you transition on to the mountain bike.  Your quads will burn and body will be jostled as you ride along the Buttermilk and North Bank trails with technical rock gardens, stream crossings, and even a couple steep climbs.  Now that your legs are fried and filling with lactic acid, you dismount your bike and cram them into a kayak and speed thru class III-IV rapids. The total course takes anywhere from just over an hour for some, to over two hours for others.

At the end of this year’s King of the James, a new King was crowned.  Trevor Saylor traveled up from Asheville, N.C. to claim top honors and finished the race in 1 hour and 20 minutes…shaving 4 minutes off the time of of last year’s winner Adam Tremper. For the second year in a row, Jenny Belt finished as the Queen with a time of 1 hour and 38 minutes. Perhaps the most exciting finish of the day was the final sprint for first place among the team category.  Max Posner passed Massey Worley in the flat water just below the final drop of Pipeline to edge Team Pup N’ Suds in for 1st place at 1 hour and 16 minutes.
We want to congratulate all the participants! It is not an easy race, and merely finishing is truly a statement on this world class, outdoor race course we call Home. Thanks to the James River Park System, Forest Hill Park staff and volunteers for the countless hours spent making the park so great. King of the James donated $1,000 to James River Outdoor Coalition to assist the park staff in maintenance and improvements to this wonderful green space.

Until next year!

 

 

TIMES

Kings

Trevor Sayler 227 1:20:14 0:54:45 0:23:55

Michael Wilson 203 1:23:50 0:58:11 0:25:41

Michael Stratton 220 1:27:01 1:03:03 0:26:19

John Nestler 216 1:27:42 1:04:02 0:25:11

Neil Etheridge 209 1:27:58 1:00:14 0:24:56

Adam Tremper 1 1:28:06 1:04:44 0:24:30

Matt Londrey 221 1:28:39 1:01:32 0:24:10

Stephan Sado 232 1:28:50 1:03:45 0:25:36

Zizza 222 1:30:14 1:05:26 0:27:43

Bryce Roberts 211 1:31:54 1:05:30 0:29:26

Josh Taylor 202 1:35:08 1:09:37 0:30:16

Kevin Langlois 223 1:35:25 1:08:45 0:29:58

Devin Shunk 205 1:35:35 1:09:13 0:29:03

Jon Lugbill 210 1:36:30 1:11:21 0:28:16

Max Galbraith 212 1:40:05 1:06:43 0:21:56

Rob Tompkins 225 1:40:11 1:13:15 0:32:59

Todd Craft 206 1:41:43 1:15:41 0:31:19

Cooper Sallade 230 1:42:08 1:16:19 0:35:09

Greg Russ 214 1:44:44 1:14:31 0:29:08

Brian Davis 226 1:45:51 1:19:50 0:29:12

Harrison Whitten 213 1:47:07 1:18:41 0:31:41

Emmett Saulnier 207 1:47:50 1:11:05 0:22:24

Ned Trice 224 1:49:30 1:21:04 0:30:35

Jesse Yuan 229 1:50:39 1:22:17 0:29:12

Caleb Frantoy 231 1:51:06 1:31:30 0:31:43

Riley Gorman 215 1:51:07 1:16:30 0:27:43

Tom Daley 228 1:51:19 1:26:08 0:31:11

Jack Martin 204 2:08:00 1:31:12 0:38:13

Perry Griffith 217 DNF 1:38:44 0:28:25

William Gebhardt 218 DNF 1:31:44 0:29:59

Queens

Jennie Belt 106 1 1:28:06 1:04:44 0:24:30

Penelope Davenport 105 1:51:32 1:2302 30:38

Katie Lemmert 102 159:50 1:31:42 36:10

Meghan Magennis 103 2:00:25 1:29:54 35:56

Allison Drezek 101 2:00:38 1:27:26 36:06

Teams

Pup N Suds 313 1:16:25 0:54:24 0:23:39

Slowmo 307 1:16:27 0:53:57 0:24:01

Endurance Where It Counts 308 1:17:12 0:54:31 0:21:55

Some R&R 304 1:18:33 0:53:08 0:22:23

Kickin Jass 302 1:20:13 0:57:26 0:28:26

Tank Top 331 1:23:08 0:58:06 0:23:54

Hoos 2 (Hannah & Joe) 316 1:23:15 0:58:27 0:24:24

JRPS 301 1:26:21 1:00:55 0:26:31

Dongals 324 1:26:35 1:02:43 0:23:57

Broken Bones, Bikes & Boats 322 1:26:36 0:58:18 0:25:59

James River Blues Brothers 326 1:26:46 1:02:19 0:27:15

2 Gulls And A Bouey 325 1:28:36 1:03:11 0:29:31

Tots 334 1:29:18 1:03:12 0:24:29

Riff Raff 309 1:30:07 1:04:58 0:32:28

RKMG (Rachel & Mclane) 330 1:36:20 1:08:17 0:23:53

Pretty Pretty Princess 328 1:36:36 1:07:21 0:35:28

Paddleboard 314 1:37:11 1:11:54 0:29:45

IDK (Margo, Dave & Emily) 327 1:37:46 1:06:28 0:29:19

Hoos 1 (Daniel, Ned & Kit) 317 1:39:06 1:12:00 0:33:00

Little Jokers 323 1:40:20 1:15:36 0:21:36

Juicy 332 1:45:17 1:15:13 0:29:36

Hoos 5 (Colin & Emily) 320 1:45:19 1:19:57 0:28:59

Funky Rump Shakers 315 1:45:31 1:18:52 0:38:18

Worst Pace Scenario 310 1:45:38 1:19:51 0:36:10

Pound,Crank, Boof 307 1:47:25 1:21:11 0:27:59

Hoos 4 (Isabelle & Joseph) 319 1:48:31 1:13:29 0:33:00

Francos Fashion Warriors 329 1:52:02 1:04:13 0:28:11

Green Street Alleycats 305 1:52:20 1:24:09 0:36:04

Hoos 3 (Zakey & Alex) 318 2:03:07 1:38:40 0:31:46

Moms Box 303 2:15:36 1:39:39 0:38:17

M.C. Chickens 321 ??? 1:22:21 0:38:38

SOJ 312 DNF 1:03:12 0:24:06

home page

Two weeks ago I wrote about a standup paddleboard race between Trinity Episcopal and Collegiate high schools. Race organizer and Riverside Outfitters guide Ben Moore told me he thought it was the first such race of it’s kind in the country. I wasn’t able to make it out to Pony Pasture for the slalom time trial race, but photographer and RichmondOutside contributor Elli Morris was. The above video is the result. Awesome stuff!

home page

The leaves are falling as the season turns and daylight is getting sparse. Cooler air is settling in among Virginia’s water, and the James River is getting colder. November is a beautiful month to spend time in Richmond’s urban park system, and we are excited to celebrate the second annual King of the James!  King of the James is a triathlon highlighting the mountain sports found in the city’s core, with trail running, mountain biking, and whitewater kayaking

The secret has been uncovered for some time now regarding the gem Richmond is for outdoor enthusiasts, with its miles of singletrack and some damn good whitewater… but sometimes we forget how accessible it is to indulge for a ride or paddle in the park on a daily basis. Being able to have a number of mountain sports in your backyard is a rarity; but here in Richmond, we have it all day, everyday and can literally play outside 365 days a year.

King of the James is the perfect way to test your ability in the mountains all while staying close to home here in the city. The tour of Richmond’s finest begins by tackling an awesome trail run in Forest Hill Park, followed by a ride on the backbone of the city’s mountain bike scene via the Buttermilk Trail and Northbank Trail, and culminating with a paddle down Richmond’s notorious whitewater on the James River.  Although each individual leg of King of the James is not an endurance feat, linking all three back-to-back will get even the most seasoned athletes’ heart pumping.

In 2014, Adam Tremper was crowned King and has been one of the events larger-than-life advocates.

“The King of the James is special because it encompasses some of the best things about Richmond into one event, competitive and friendly at the same time,” Tremper said.

Although there is a healthy dose of trash talking among the competitive outdoorsmen and women, King of the James stresses that we are all in it together. If you see someone in need, stop and help. The event also demands respect by all participants to be mindful of the trail users who are just out enjoying our beautiful oasis by moving aside and practicing park etiquette. “King of the James has it all!  Can’t wait to make a run at the throne again this year,” Tremper added.

Sunday is going to be a good day.  If you’re looking to watch some of the event, come out and join us! Some key locations to spend time in the park and witness King of the James are at the Reedy Creek crossing on the trail in Forest Hill Park, just downstream of Crossroads Coffee and Beer. The downhill at Texas Beach on the Northbank trail and Hollywood or Pipeline Rapids on the James River.

There can only be one – King of the James!

‘King of the James’ is an individual, multi-sport event. It can be raced as an individual or a three-person team, with each team member choosing a leg — run, bike or paddle. Individuals must be able to complete the course by possessing the skills of an EXPERIENCED trail runner, EXPERIENCED mountain biker, and EXPERIENCED whitewater kayaker.  This is an extremely difficult course, with many hazards, and requires stamina as well as in-depth knowledge of all three sports.  The course is subject to a variety of changing variables associated with being held in an ever changing outdoor environment.  Please take this into consideration.  If there is any question on your part, about completing any of the disciplines, please do not attempt ‘King of the James’. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE the difficulty of the ‘King of the James’.

home page

If you’re looking for a new fishing rod and you fish the James River regularly, you’re in luck. The James River Association has partnered with Waynesboro-based Tycoon Tackle, Inc. to design, develop and produce a series of co-branded fishing rods, with a portion of the proceeds being dedicated to the protection and preservation of the James River.

“It is no secret that the angling community has long been represented by natural resource stewards. Fishermen seek waters that hold copious and healthy fish, while quality fisheries require clean water,” said Pat Calvert, Upper James Riverkeeper for the James River Association. “I consider ours a mutually beneficial partnership. Even better, Tycoon Tackle staff customized each of these four rods — 2 spinning rods and 2 fly rods — to specifically target the diversity of fish for which the James is known. Whether you’re seeking rockfish on a fly, smallmouth on a worm or shad on a dart, the experienced folks at Tycoon Tackle have created what you need to most effectively appreciate your favorite James River fishing holes.”

Four Tycoon Tackle rods specifically designed for Virginia waters, two spinning rods and two fly rods, are now available for purchase. Each will be a custom, built-to-order, co-branded rod appropriate for fishing sections of the James River.

Tycoon Tackle, Inc. is a Virginia-based angling outfitter that originated in Miami, Florida in 1935.  The company was on the scene in the formative years of big-game angling and at one time more than 95 percent of all world record fish were caught on the company’s fishing rods. Tim O’Brien, President and CEO of the company, said, “The company started as a one-man shop and in time grew to become a leader in the angling world, by not only making the best and most desirable fishing rods but by being a leader in promoting the catch and release of gamefish.”  The company is still family owned and committed to manufacturing its products in the United States of America.

The James River rod series will be available to purchase online at https://tycoonoutfitters.com/james-river-rods and at select outfitters throughout the state. For more information on this partnership, contact Ryan Corrigan, JRA’s Director of Marketing and Membership, at 804-788-8811, ext. 207 or rcorrigan@jrava.org.

home page

If you happen to be driving past Pony Pasture tomorrow around 3:30 p.m., there’s a good chance you’ll see something no one’s ever seen before: an interscholastic standup paddleboard competition.

“I’m pretty sure this is the first one anywhere,” said Ben Moore, Riverside Outfitters‘ head standup paddleboard guide and the organizer of tomorrow’s race.

It’ll be Trinity Episcopal versus Collegiate in a slalom time trial that starts in the slack water above Pony Pasture rapid and ends around the takeout steps at Pony Pasture Park. The racers — about 10 from each school — will have to navigate the rapids and buoys anchored in the water (thus the slalom classification) for what what Moore estimates will be about a two-minute time trial.

“It’s an open high school paddleboard race,” Moore said, meaning any school could enter, but right now Trinity Episcopal and Collegiate are the only area schools with organized SUP programs. Moore said they might be the only two in the country. “I did some research (when he was helping Trinity start its team), and I couldn’t find any others.”

But Moore has bigger plans for interscholastic SUPing in the region. He said it looks like St. Christopher’s will start a program soon, and his hope this winter is to approach the Richmond Public Schools about getting kids into the sport.

“I’m really passionate about getting it into RPS,” he said, noting the work Richmond Cycling Corps has done developing a high school cycling team at Armstrong HS.

Moore said he’d love to have as many people as possible come watch tomorrow. It’s a spectator-friendly course — you can take in the whole time trial from the bank without having to move. And who doesn’t want to see a real American first?

(And in the meantime, check out the above video by RO contributor Elli Morris on Trinity Episcopal’s groundbreaking HS SUP team. Click here to read her article about it.)

home page