Almost two years ago I wrote a column about the effort, led by the Friends of the James River Park (especially members Warren Foster and Maureen Egan), to have the state make James River Park System license plates. Well, if you filled out a form to get your own plates, the wait is almost over. If this looks like the kind of plate you can see yourself driving around with, go to the Friends’ wensite to learn more. The below is from the Friends’ website:

FOJRP board member Warren Foster, who kickstarted the JRPS license plate project a couple of years ago, had the honor of going to DMV last week to see and approve our new Virginia license plate! It’s been a long time coming, but here it (almost!) is! DMV is ordering the steel, and though the plate(s) so many of us pre-ordered in 2010 or 2011 won’t arrive for this holiday season, they should arrive in our mailboxes in February or March.

I emailed Foster to find out a little bit more, and here’s what he had to say:

Yes, the James River Park System specialty license plates are about to become a reality! As you know we got the required number of pre-paid applications for last year’s General Assembly. Last July the Governor signed the legislation. Since then it’s been in DMV’s hands. The process requires 9 months to complete. I was assuming the count-down started with the General Assembly, but it doesn’t. It starts when the Governor signs the bill. Last month I signed-off on the prototype they made. It’s beautiful! Now all they have to do is make 400+ of them.

The goal is to get thousands on the street. After every 1,000, the park receives $15,000. Imagine how we could improve the park every year if we had 3,000-5,000 thousand [plates]. That’s the goal, but getting the first 1,000 will be special. Going forward it should be a lot easier. Once they’re available all you have to do is check a box requesting the Park license plate when you renew your car registration/license plates. No more asking for money up front.