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Friends dined at Pescados China Street

We had a great crowd at Pescados China Street on Monday, March 14, 2011. Thanks to all who visited, as 15% of all the day's sales will be donated to the Friends of James River Park. We don't have totals yet, but we do know that everyone enjoyed a delicious meal. Reports are that the avacado tart is better than chocolate!

The menu at Pescados is fresh, creative and incredibly tasty...and for fish-phobes, there are plenty of carnivorous or vegetarian alternatives. The next time you stop by Pescados, thank them for their generosity.

March Ivy Attacks on Buttermilk Trail: Trees Nod Approval

Through the month of March 2011, Friends Volunteer Coordinator, Elaine Marolla and the James River Park’s Andrew Mondak have led several groups of wonderful volunteers to pull back the invasive English Ivy from old growth and newer trees bordering the Buttermilk Trail near the Reedy Creek Headquarters. If interested, please contact Elaine Marolla, ElaineMarolla@yahoo.com to join in and check Facebook for updates.

HandsOn Richmond at the Pumphouse Park

More than 30 volunteers came out to Pumphouse Park on Saturday, October 16, 2010 to clear brush that had taken over the old and original James River Canal. It was a beautiful day and FOJRP so appreciates the good cheer and hard work of everyone who signed up through Hands On Greater Richmond.

Partners Helping the Park

Halycon Vintage Clothing and Deep Groove Records, both Fan businesses that are fans of the James River Park System, gave generous donations recently, which we so appreciate. A percentage of proceeds at recent rummage sales at both businesses net the Friends $250 from each business. Both storeowners remarked how happy people were knowing the money was going to help the James River Park. Thanks so much to everyone who participated and to Halcyon and Deep Groove for thinking of FOJRP.

Our friends at Riverside Outfitters are consistently great stewards of the park, showing residents and visitors alike how to enjoy the water and woods in RVA. Recently they showed FOJRP how much they care about the JRPS when they donated more than $1,000 to us! We are so appreciative. Partners like RO make Richmond and the James River Park System a more vibrant place to be.

Finally, The Boathouse at Rockett's Landing Watershed Special continues to benefit FOJRP. We've received more than $3,000 from the only restaurant in town that overlooks the James River (and part of the JRPS) since this great promotion started in the summer, and we sure are grateful for it!

Invasive species removal help

VCU’s Green Unity, an environmentally conscious student group, with some help from Friends of James River Park's Elaine Marolla, put aside studying and preparation for Halloween festivities to gather at the Pony Pasture for removal of invasive species. October 30 was the big day.

They began their clean up adventure with an informative walk along the trails with park naturalist/manager Ralph White. Once these energetic young folks were trained in the why and how to remove bush honey suckle, they put on the gloves, grabbed the tools and dug in. Many of the students had spent time at the river in the past but for others it was a first experience and one they hoped to repeat.

Even the “wraps” delivery man was in awe of our beautiful Pony Pasture and mentioned that he would bring his family next time. Thanks to Ronald L. Brown of VCU’s Service Learning component and Amanda Elizabeth Schutt of Green Unity for helping to organize a positive experience for all.

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Older Articles of Interest

Dedicated crowd welcomes winter at Belle Isle

Phil Riggan | James River News Hub | Dec. 21, 2010

Many lucky Richmonders took the opportunity to officially welcome winter Tuesday during the third annual 2010 Winter Solstice Celebration at Belle Isle with the James River Park staff and the Friends of the James River Park. Park manager Ralph White and head of maintenance Peter Bruce were on hand to tell a few stories.

The park staff had a small bonfire and shared some cocoa and hot cider while the Friends lead the group in a few songs and laughter before giving a few gifts of thanks to the JRPS staffers. Park manager Ralph White and head of maintenance Peter Bruce were on hand to tell a few stories and thank many of the people who volunteer and share time to help maintain the 17 properties within the park.

Crowds brave rain for James River Parade of Lights

John Reid Blackwell | Richmond Times Dispatch | Dec. 12, 2010

Sporadic rain and chilly weather didn't deter a dedicated band of people who turned out for the James River Parade of Lights Saturday evening.

Shielded by umbrellas and rain jackets and huddled together with family and friends, hundreds of spectators watched the annual parade from several vantage points along the James. Read the article

Local beavers working in unlikely locations

Andy Thompson | Richmond Times Dispatch | Nov. 28, 2010

If you want to see the world's longest beaver dam, you'll have to travel to Alberta, Canada. Discovered by satellite imagery a few years ago, the dam is over half a mile long, more than twice the width of the Hoover Dam.

While less ambitious in size, a dam I recently came across in a protected channel of the James River is no less impressive an engineering feat. Read the article

Sailboat at Pony Pasture

Not every day you see a sailboat at Pony Pasture

Phil Riggan | James River News Hub | Nov. 11, 2010

You’d better act fast and get down to Pony Pasture Rapids Park to see a sailboat “docked” along the south bank of the river. It may not stay longer than the next big rainstorm.

Richmond habitat is for the birds

Andy Thompson | Richmond Times-Dispatch | Nov. 5, 2010

I don't speak bald eagle, but I'm pretty sure one recently looked me in the eyes and asked, "You wanna piece of me?" When I responded in the affirmative (in body language, if not words), he or she proceeded to teach me a lesson I won't soon forget. Read the article

Planners focus on what younger generations want for Richmond

Michael Martz | Richmond Times-Dispatch | Oct. 17, 2010

Bill Reid's 24-year-old son, Angas, is thinking about moving from Norfolk to Richmond -- both cities where his father is a major player in the music scene. So he asked his father's opinion of downtown Richmond. Read the article

Hike along James rewards birders

Jerry Uhlman | Richmond Times-Dispatch | Sept. 18, 2010

On a warm mid-August morning, I joined 13 enthusiastic urban hikers for a trek along the banks of the James River -- aptly called a Summer Sizzler Hike -- sponsored by the James River Association. Read the article

Specialty plates could be a bonanza for James River Park System

Richmond Times-Dispatch | Jan. 3, 2010

Few volunteers are more dedicated to the James River and the Richmond park system that bears its name than Warren Foster. The Martin Agency's marketing director spends much of his spare time in a canoe on the river or taking care of Williams Island, the 90-acre parcel across from Pony Pasture that he quite deservedly, though jokingly, calls Warren's Island. Read the article

Nathan Burrell, Trails Manager for Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities

Urban Views Weekly | August 6, 2008

A volunteer survey administered last year suggested that a half million patrons visited James River Park. This year, employees and volunteers are certain that number has grown. Although nature has a daily hand in making the James River Park System such a dazzling beauty, each member of its small staff and every volunteer is integral to its well-being. Read the article.

Rolling on the River

Maureen Egan | Richmond Magazine | September 2006

I love roller coasters, but I hate where they live. I'd rather get my chills and thrills white-water rafting on the James River. Rolling through the Falls of the James provides the adrenaline rush of several roller coasters, and it's so easy to drive downtown to get it. Read the article.

Jewel on the James

Chad Anderson | Richmond Magazine | February 2006

The city-owned James River Park System, nearly 550 acres of natural beauty within the city, is one of Richmond's true gems, and for more than a quarter-century, park manager Ralph White has worked to polish it, ably assisted by fellow park-system employees and an army of volunteers, many of them from groups like the James River Outdoor Coalition and Friends of the James River Park. Read the article.

Going Out on a Limb

Maureen Egan | Richmond Magazine | August 2005

In his line of work as a certified arborist and president of Truetimber Tree Service, Scott Turner happily goes out on a limb just about every day. Now he wants the rest of Richmond to join him. His new venture, Riverside Outfitters, offers the first recreational tree climbing opportunities in the area -- a chance to hang out high in Richmond’s urban forest. Read the article.