HANDICAP ACCESS IN THE JAMES RIVER PARK

The river is comprised of flat-water areas interspersed with rapids. With one exception, this is a muscle powered recreation site. You bring your own kayaks, canoes, and rafts. There is also a commercial raft company that has equipment modified for disabled users (Richmond Raft Company: 222-7238.)

Huguenot Flat-water Park. South shore just upstream of Huguenot Bridge. Aprox. 2 miles of flat-water paddling. Boat slide and access steps. Car can come 15 feet away.

Pony Pasture Rapids Park to Reedy Creek: South shore 1 mile downstream of Huguenot Bridge. Aprox 3 miles of flat-water and small rapids. Kayak can slide down steps. About 50 feet of wood chip trail between parking lot and put in steps. Take out conditions vary with water level. Sometimes a low concrete "dam" and short set of steps; sometimes a 25 foot earth (or mud) peninsula and short set of steps. About 200 feet of gravel trail leads out to parking lot. (Closer car access can usually be arranged with 1 day's notification. 646-8911)

Ancarrow's Landing: motor boat access. Concrete ramp with concrete sidewalks on either side.


	Belle Isle: Floating dock in quarry pond with ramp access. Park on north shore just downstream of Lee Bridge. Aprox. 1 mile from parking lot onTredegar Street. Trail crosses suspension footbridge and 1/4 mile dirt trail. Steep rock walls and nearby river rapids make this rather scenic.




	Ancarrows landing: River-edge fishing, several sites. Two with concrete walkways, but best fishing is over grassy fields, especially at stone dock. Aprox. 50 feet to 100 yards from parking lot depending on site. Great Shiplock Park: River-edge fishing at mouth of canal lock. Aprox 200 feet from parking lot on smooth, concrete path. Safety fence keeps you 3 feet from river edge and therefore hampers fish retrieval.


	Belle Isle Loop Trail: Close up views of rocks and rapids plus historic sites like old hydro electric plant, quarry pond and site of infamous prison. Interpretive signs; guidebook available. Aprox. 1 %2 miles --much on packed dirt trail. Park on Tredegar Street (Belle Isle lot) near Lee Bridge. Tredegar Street and Brown's Island: Interesting views of river with some interpretive signs. Aprox. 3/4 miles on concrete sidewalk. Park on Tredegar St. at Belle Isle lot near Lee Bridge. Pony Pasture Rapids overlook and Riverside Drive Scenic Route: Nice views of a very rural looking river and related wildlife. Nice place to view the sunrise or sunset; no need to get out of your car. Scenic '/4 mile route from overlook to Z dam along asphalt road with 15 mph speed limit. Floodwall Walk: Scenic views of river with City skyline on one side and railroad yard on the other. Many fish-eating birds during April/May shad and Rockfish migration. Dirt and packed gravel path with open mesh fencing on second '/2. Passes rock climbing site. Park under the Manchester Bridge (not at lot on Semmes Av. marked "Floodwall"). Car access is via the road beside the Legend Brewery on 7th St.. This passes thru the rail yard. Best wheelchair route is the "maintenance ramp". You can park right beside it. Do not drive up onto the walkway itself. Southside Scenic Overlook: Nice high view of river and rapids from on top of the old Richmond and Petersburg Railroad Bridge. Flat asphalt path leads about '/4 mile or more from parking lot on old railroad routes. Park at marked lot located at 7th and Semmes Avenue. The asphalt trail down to the floodwall from here is too long and steep for safe wheelchair use.


	LAST UPDATED 7/5/05	WEBMASTER