The James River Association has partnered with the City of Richmond Department of Parks and Recreation to install a stormwater management and beautification project along the east side of Shields Lake at Byrd Park. This project is made possible through support from Altria Group, Hazen and Sawyer, Luck Companies, and Yardworks.

The project site is a heavily used section of Byrd Park and suffers from erosion. The restoration project is designed to reduce current erosion issues by installing a stone swale to capture stormwater runoff from the parking area and installing a rain garden with native plants to allow stormwater to slow down and infiltrate the soil. The grass area will be improved by aerating and seeding with shade tolerant grass. Large stone steps will also lead visitors from the parking area, down the hill and through the rain garden, which will also help erosion issues by defining a walking path. These improvements will not only beautify the space, but will also provide wildlife habitat and improve water quality.