JRPS license plates are in the mail!
Our long-awaited JRPS license plates were processed Friday, May 4! Vanity plates will be processed May 11. Get the full update.
2012 River Heroes: STEIDEL & VELZY
We're exceedingly happy to announce that after careful deliberation, our panel has chosen two very worthy and talented River Heroes: Robert Steidel, Director of Richmond's Department of Public Utilities and Greg Velzy, Adventure Programmer for Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation. Both gentlemen go well beyond their job descriptions and have championed the James River in fundamental ways.
Exciting new map/virtual tour offering
Terrain360, based in Richmond, provides 360 degree panoramic tours of some of the most beautiful terrain in and around Virginia. They have kicked it off with some great trail companion tours of some of our JRPS trails -- Belle Island, Buttermilk Trail and the Pipeline, to mention a few. We're now linking to them on our maps page. Check it out.
May and June events you won't want to miss!
DOMINION RIVERROCK
Friday-Sunday, May 18-20,
Brown's Island
Adventure in the big city. See how much fun can be had along the James River in Richmond during this 3 day extravaganza that has bouldering, slacklining, mountain biking, kayaking, trailrunning, stand up paddleboarding, flying dogs, music, food and so much more. This year the James River Park System Trailmarking Project is the official charity of the event, so more park improvements will be coming our way!
Check out the busy and bustling schedule. FOJRP will be in the Green Zone. Come and see us to get park info, learn about volunteering with us and get your FOJRP t-shirt for $15! Volunteer at our booth to meet and greet and put salamander tattoos on children's arms. It's really a fun time!
ANNUAL FRIENDS PICNIC
Saturday, June 2, 6 p.m.
Our annual Friends picnic, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 19th, has been moved to Saturday, June 2nd, 6 p.m. so it doesn't conflict with Dominion RiverRock. We'll be back at the Pumphouse this year. More info to come.
JAMES RIVER ADVISORY COUNCIL ANNUAL CLEAN-UP
Saturday, June 9, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.,
Pony Pasture and Reedy Creek
JRAC hosts this event at various locations along the James. In the JRPS meeting places are Pony Pasture and Reedy Creek. Wear sturdy shoes or boots that can handle dirt. Gloves, trash bags and grabbers will be provided as well as water and lunch. People are always needed at Reedy Creek around lunchtime to help sort the trash and recycling. It's a dirty job and somebody's got to do it! Get details and sign up in advance.
XTERRA
June 9 & 10,
Brown's Island
Our friends at Luckstone are back sponsoring this exciting adventure weekend along the river. They've asked the Friends to be a part of their tent activities to spread the good word about the JRPS. If you know and love the park, this is the place for you! They'll be raffling off a bike to benefit FOJRP (and the raffle winner!) Stop by and see us.
Ralph White, JRPS Park Manager, to retire
We've heard the official word from beloved Park Manager, Ralph White, that he will retire in Jan. 2013. After all Ralph has done for the JRPS and the city, it will be impossible to fill his shoes (and kneesocks!), but we are glad we can spend this next year showing him how much he means to us. It is no hyperbole to say that Ralph and his work in the JRPS has improved and enriched the lives of millions of people, and will continue to. Pretty cool. We're so thankful to be among those who know and love him.
Read local articles about Ralph's retirement:
Riverfront Grant Approved
At the Friends of James River Park August meeting, the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission gave a presentation regarding an application for a competitive grant for the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program to be used for trails and signage on Chapel Island along the James River, just west of Great Shiplock Park. FOJRP supported the RRPDC's grant application and our board voted to support the Chapel Island/James River Public Access Enhancement Project with $5,000 from our general fund and 200 hours of volunteer labor from our members.
In November we were notified by the RRPDC that the grant has been awarded! Thanks to the RRPDC for all the heavy-lifting! This eastern section of the city desperately needs more park and river access and opening Chapel Island, which is city property, and accessible from the Great Shiplock Park section of the James River Park System and adjacent to the Capital to Capital Bicycle Trail, will add so much to Richmond's robust urban park system.
FOJRP is proud to be part of a project that will open river access of what is now an underused area to underserved communities. River access at Chapel Island will offer health benefits, wildlife viewing opportunities, fishing, walking, paddling, and other environmentally friendly activities to a wider community.
Get current weather, water conditions, trails info, activities, and more.
Map it! Plan your park visit.
Credit: A. Wright
Spring is here
This lovely abstract image is actually the egg mass of the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). These eggs are close to hatching a new crop of the park's favorite denizens.
Spanish translation now on site
Amigos del Rio offers Spanish-speaking and park-loving web visitors an overview of the Friends and useful information on two hot spots -- Belle Isle and Pony Pasture. And thanks to the help of VCU's CreateAThon, you'll see park signs in Spanish and may hear public service announcements in Spanish as well.
Our favorite line and sign: Take Pride. Éste es tu río.
Specials at The Boathouse
The Boathouse at Rockett's Landing continues to donate to the Friends of James River Park from the sales of the Watershed Special.
The Boathouse donates 20% of sales of those specials to the FoJRP -- over $4,000 to date. Thank you for your partnership!
Always in season!
Our snazzy new t-shirts have been getting rave reviews from stylish river buffs. Snag one today for your favorite river lover. And how about combining it with a Friends membership? All you need to add is the bow on top!
T-shirts available at Riverside Outfitters and TaZa Coffee n Creme for $15 each. Memberships available online on our Be a Friend page. Thanks, as always, for your support!
