Richmond Outside News Hub
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Pedestrian bridge east of Gunn’s Run on the Virginia Capital Trail
There always seems to be news on the Virginia Capital Trail front, and last week’s newsletter from Executive Director Beth Weisbrod is no exception.
Check out our new website...This one will make it much easier to plan a trip to the Virginia Capital Trail and follow construction progress as it nears completion. Soon, the map will offer historical highlights along the trail, and trail users a way to upload pictures and stories of their experiences. As we develop podcasts, geocaching and other downloadable features, you’ll have access to it all with just a couple clicks.
Weisbrod also offers a couple of trail-construction updates: The 13-mile Sherwood Forest section continues to take shape east of the Charles City Courthouse. And soon, we will announce a date for the groundbreaking for the ten mile New Market Heights phase. By this time next year, we should have over 37 miles of paved, dedicated multi-use trail to enjoy between Eastern Henrico County and James City County. That will be something to celebrate. The remaining phases–Varina and Richmond Riverfront–are still on schedule for a 2014 completion.
Great Shiplock Park in Richmond
For Richmonders starving for trail progress, there is good news: The VCTF also is very proud of the Richmond trailhead project nearing final approval from the City. If you haven’t been down to Great Shiplock Park along Richmond’s riverfront, then you don’t know what a tremendous impact this project will have. Great Shiplock Park is located just east of Shockoe Bottom, in a densely historic part of Richmond along the Kanahwa Canal. The park had lost its shine over the years, becoming little more than a parking lot in a picturesque location. The Virginia Capital Trail currently heads west from there, but will soon connect to all points east. Thanks to generous grants from MWV, Dominion, CSX, Mr. Brenton S. Halsey, 3North and the Cabell and Mary Morton Parsons Foundations, we’re going to be able to turn the park into an eye-popping destination drawing visitors to downtown Richmond, to its historic riverfront and the Virginia Capital Trail. We anticipate a spring grand opening, and will keep you all posted as this project progresses. (For those who have purchased personalized bricks for the Richmond end, this is where they will be!)
