Richmond VA: Capital City, River City, and now the first city in Virginia, and likely the United States, to have a major urban park system preserved in perpetuity under a conservation easement.
Signed into law on 29 May 2009, the Conservation Easement places about 280 acres of parkland, including the James River Park System, Great Shiplock Park and Belle Isle, into protective care and guarantees that the land can never be sold or developed, even with ball fields or cell-phone towers. And best, no current or future political leader can undo this act.
Governor Tim Kaine, Mayor Dwight Jones, and City Council President Kathy Graziano spoke of their fond memories of this urban wonderland at the official signing ceremony of the James River Park Conservation Easement yesterday. Among the attendees was Richmonder Charles Price who was the first to suggest to then Mayor Kaine that an easement would best protect our urban asset. Being a “forever decision,” nothing more came of the idea at that time. We owe a great gratitude to Charles for his foresight and persistence, and to Kathy Graziano and David Hathcock for their leadership and determination that made it happen.
The James River Park System
includes over 550 acres of shoreline and islands in the heart of the city, extending from Huguenot Bridge in the West to a half mile beyond the I-95 Bridge in the East. It includes most of the fall line of the James. Rocks, rapids, meadows and forests make for an area of unspoiled natural beauty – a little bit of wilderness in the heart of the city. The James River Park offers opportunities for whitewater and flat-water canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking, jogging, sunbathing, wildlife exploration, historical study and much more.
Visit JRP website for activities and photographs.
2 responses so far ↓
1 mike.rogers // May 31, 2009 at 10:27 pm
It was really incredible to see 10 years of work culminate in this ceremony and I’m confident that this precedent will change the way people view development in downtown Richmond. It’s comforting to know that we have a governor and mayor that seem to care about conservation. Next goal: the viewshed from Libby Hill Park!
2 shelli // Jun 1, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Mike, what would be really incredible is if people began to trust in the innovator’s voice such as that of Charles Price, and be willing to explore, before they curtail, a conversation. We need to consider all propositions and then choose the ones that acheive the best for the greater good. We needn’t choose any action out of FEAR of what might be, but HOPE of what can be…it just requires Courage.
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