Hiking, running and cycling trails are all across Richmond. Some are tucked into nature, other meander along the river while others are right in the city. Join Will Roye as he explores #rva’s trails in this segment from 8@4 presented by VCU Massey Cancer Center from the Virginia Wayside Furniture studios with sports by Richmond Flying Squirrels.
A part of a Powhatan County history of schools for Black youth will be protected as one of the latest grants from a state-funded foundation charged with protecting forests, farms and open space.
The Virginia Land Conservation Trust’s latest grants also include $500,000 to secure 4.33 acres along Dock Street in Richmond, the only remaining privately held land on the north bank of the tidal portion of the James River in the city, clearing the way for an extension of the Virginia Capital Trail.
The grant is matched by $3.8 million in cash and property donations from the Capital Region Land Conservancy, the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the city.
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This land will be added to the James River Park System.
In Powhatan, the fund granted $228,450, matched by $247,000 from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and the landowner to buy and protect with an easement the 56-acre Rosemont property.
Listed on the state and national historic landmark registries, Rosemont was built in 1898 by C.L. Dodd, the architect who in 1895 designed the St. Francis de Sales Institute, a residential Catholic school for African American girls in Powhatan County.
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The house is across the road from the school, and features stained glass windows and carved front doors similar to the school’s.
St. Francis, like the nearby St. Emma Agricultural and Industrial Institute housed in the Belmead-on-the-James mansion, was a boarding school for Black and Native American youth from across the nation.
The school was founded by Saint Katharine Drexel and her sister, who hailed from one of America’s wealthiest families. Saint Katharine is one of only two American-born saints in the Roman Catholic Church.
In addition to the house, the grant and matching funds will preserve 40 acres of woodlands, an original wood-framed barn, 16 acres of open space and streams that bisect the property.
“Conserving this property … shares a crucially important story of African American life impacted by the Drexel and Morrell schools in rural Virginia,” said a document prepared for the foundation board detailing the grant.
Ms. Perry’s 6th-graders do science on the James River
Over the past six months, the foundation’s grants, totaling more than $3.3 million, have brought matches of property donations and money totaling more than $17.9 million.
Funded by Virginia taxpayers, the foundation is charged with protecting farmlands and forests, lands of historic or cultural significance, natural areas and open spaces and parklands.
Since beginning this work in 2000, the foundation has awarded more than 285 grants totaling more than $72 million to protect more than 100,000 acres across the state.
Meanwhile, the Capital Region Land Conservancy said a Charles City County landowner gave it a conservation easement to protect 58 acres that are home to two groups of the rare Virginia Least Trillium, a wildflower with three white petals typically seen from in early spring, March, to early summer, June or July. The plant favors acidic soils in low, swampy woodlands along streams as well as red maple swamps. It is often found in groups on hummocks
“Since the landowner had intentionally left the forested wetlands untouched for the last 35 years, we expected to find plant diversity on the property,” said Ashley Moulton, the conservancy’s land stewardship manager.
“But to find this rare plant growing here made protecting the property under a conservation easement a statewide conservation priority,” Moulton added.
The easement runs along 900 feet of West Run, and provides an extra level of protection for a 100-foot wide buffer along the stream and surrounding the property’s wetlands.
Those wetlands are unusual for the region because they are fed year-round by a groundwater seep, with water moving through the soil from natural springs.
88 photos of the James River Park System
James River Park System
Juan Gutierrez of Richmond, 11, swims with a ball on the last official day of summer, Monday, September 22, 2014, in the James River at Belle Isle in Richmond, Va. The photo was taken using Fuji instant film on a 1950’s 4×5 Speed Graphic
James River Park System
The rocks between Belle Isle and the 22nd Street entrance to the James River Park System drew hundreds Monday afternoon, with temperatures in the low 80’s. May 4, 2015.
James River Park System
White water rafts pass through Hollywood Rapid at Belle Isle in the James River, May 16, 2015.
James River Park System
Marquis Swinton, age 12, jumps into the James River from a rock along Belle Isle Monday, June 15, 2015.
James River Park System
Heading across the James River foot bridge to Belle Isle for an early start on the holiday weekend, Friday, May 27, 2016.
James River Park System
Noah Hull, 9, checks out a flathead catfish on the bottom of the James River in downtown Richmond, near the “Pipeline” area, by 14th Street. The fish was hanging out with a few dozen other large catfish in “Catfish Alley.”
James River Park System
Nests for great blue herons, high in trees on an island of the James River in downtown Richmond. This time of year, many of the nesting herons can usually be seen from a beach in an area known as “Pipeline” next to the flood wall. But the num ber of great blue herons is down this year, with only seven nests visible and only a few of the gangly birds flying nearby. March 10, 2015.
James River Park System
Observers use binoculars for a better view of the Great Blue Heron nests in pipeline park in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday, March 22, 2014. Richmond Audubon Society and James River Park System began conducting walks to view the herons’ courtship, which will be held on April 5, 12, and 26.
James River Park System
A man dives from a rock into the James River near a kayaker at the Pipeline rapids in downtown Richmond, July 25, 2015.
James River Park System
A video camera stationed in James River Park caught these river otters between the Huguenot Bridge and Pony Pasture Rapids in South Richmond. A project that started last spring is using video to document wildlife in the park.
James River Park System
Many sought refuge from the heat by jumping into the James River at the Pony Pasture, June 23, 2015.
James River Park System
Rudy took her first plunge into the James River at Pony Pasture on Sunday May 29, 2016 and jumped right back onto the dry rock after her owner Ryan McKinnon pulled her into the water with him.
James River Park System
His first visit to the Pony Pasture rapids, part of the James River Park System, and Wyatt Lifsey said he picked a good day to relax. He moved to Richmond from Blacksburg, Va. about one month ago. April 21, 2016.
James River Park System
A group of swimmers enjoy a cooling dip in the water along the Pony Pasture rocks in the James River in Richmond, VA Monday, August 7, 2017.
James River Park System
Canada geese appear to be performing a water ballet in the Pony Pasture area of the James River in Richmond, VA Monday, Oct. 9, 2017. The geese were actually feeding on underwater plants.
James River Park System
This couple had a little difficulty getting their dog interested in entering the water at the Pony Pasture area of the James River in Richmond, VA Thursday, July 13, 2017. The dog eventually entered the water and appeared to enjoy it.
James River Park System
A young woman sat on the bank at the Pony Pasture section of the James River in Richmond, VA Wednesday, May 2, 2018. A half-dozen others chose to ignore high water warnings and sat on rocks out in the rapids.
James River Park System
Cade Cooper, left, from Powhatan and Amanda Yowell, right, from Culpeper, took advantage of great weather on the first day of summer to float down the James River past a group of sunbathers near the Pony Pasture in Richmond, VA Friday, June 21, 2019.
James River Park System
A young boy watches a family of ducks swim past as he stands beside the James River at the Pony Pasture section in Richmond, VA, Monday, July 15, 2019 as the temperature climbed above 90 degrees.
James River Park System
James River is viewed near Belle Isle in Richmond on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015.
James River Park System
Carter Gilson, 16, enjoys fly fishing at the James River Park’s Huguenot Flatwater, near the Huguenot Bridge, Sept. 10, 2014. Gilson’s friend Susan Patch brought along her dog, Millie. Carter, who recently suffered a traumatic head injury, was spending some quiet time as “river therapy” while recovering. Fishing at the James River has a calming, therapeutic effect on Carter, Patch said. Carter is a student at Douglas Freeman High School.
James River Park System
Mike Martin kayaks in the James River near Pony Pasture Thursday, May 9, 2013.
James River Park System
Fog covers the James River across from Pony Pasture Monday afternoon, January 15, 2013.
James River Park System
Craig Dodson of Richmond gets airborne at the new Bike Skills Training area on Belle Isle, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012. The training area has features that simulate obstacles that bicyclists find on the trails throughout the James River Park.
James River Park System
Harley Stephens (right) plays with his niece, Mackenzie Gower, 6, in the James River at Belle Isle, July 12, 2013. They live in Sandston.
James River Park System
A man walks along the pipeline on the James River in Richmond, Va., on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Richmond is looking, through the Richmond Riverfront Plan, to use the James River to boost economic development, recreation, and the city’s reputation.
James River Park System
Llinda Laplante and David Bernard read a sign about great blue herons along the ‘pipeline’ in downtown Richmond, along the James River. It is from this spot that visitors can watch great blue herons nesting on an island in the middle of the river. Someone was compelled to add some heron art.
James River Park System
A visitor to the Pony Pasture section of the James River Parks system navigates the rocks which are noirmally covered with what is referred to as the “Upper Rapids.”
James River Park System
Tubers and kayakers and swimmers went to the James River to cool off, with this tuber balancing on a rock before hopping in at the Huguenot Flatwater area, just west of the Huguenot Bridge.
James River Park System
A great blue heron swallows a fish on the James River in downtown Richmond, near the 14th Street stretch of the river known as “Pipeline.”
James River Park System
A canine visitor to the dog-friendly Pony Pasture jumps (successfully) to a rock.
James River Park System
“Me and my girl, we drive all the way up here for the swing and some friends,” said Justin Chamberlain, 19, of Williamsburg after braving the rope swing at Huguenot Flatwater, along the James River, in Richmond, on June 02, 2009. Here, Chamberlain gets ready to toss the rope to a friend waiting up in the tree.
James River Park System
As the sun starts to illuminate fog on the James River, a photographer waits for just the right moment on the rocks of the Pony Pasture lower rapids.
James River Park System
(L-R) Jennie McGee, Kate McGee, Rob Christensen paddle by Belle Isle on the James River as Patrick Griffin (far right) guides them Friday, June 15, 2007.
James River Park System
Belle Isle near the Hollywood Rapids attracts a crowd on a warm day.
James River Park System
Zack Shultz (left) lets Chris Bush know he’s right behind him as they leap from a tree limb into the James River near Belle Isle. They call the tree “Al’s Log.” They and other friends spent the afternoon beating the heat there.
James River Park System
The Byrd Park Pump House in Richmond on Thursday, July 18, 2019
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The Gothic Revival-style Byrd Park Pump House could be restored under the park system’s new master plan.
James River Park System
The Byrd Park Pump House in Richmond on Thursday, July 18, 2019
James River Park System
A sign near the entrance to the Pump House Park area in Richmond on Thursday, July 18, 2019
James River Park System
Two cyclists pause at the entrance to the Reedy Creek parking lot near the James River Park System Visitor Center in Richmond on Thursday, July 18, 2019.
James River Park System
Two visitors cross the railroad tracks as they head toward the Reedy Creek parking lot near the James River Park System visitor center in Richmond on Thursday, July 18, 2019.
James River Park System
Two visitors prepared to cross the railroad tracks as they headed toward the Reedy Creek parking lot near the James River Park System Visitor Center in Richmond on Thursday, July 18, 2019.
James River Park System
This picture shows the Reedy Creek parking lot near the James River Park System Visitor Center in Richmond on Thursday, July 18, 2019.
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The James River Park System Visitor Center in Richmond on Thursday, July 18, 2019
James River Park System
The Reedy Creek headquarters could become an expanded Welcome Center and staff headquarters under the new master plan.
James River Park System
A woman on a rock in the middle of the James River appeared to be practicing yoga Wednesday afternoon, near Brown’s Island. Nov. 2, 2016.
James River Park System
Jenna Weaver (right) and Mike Whichard walk their dog Roger over the newly completed pedestrian bridge that connects Manchester and Brown’s Island over the James River on Monday Dec. 5, 2016.
James River Park System
Oeuyown Kim (left) and friend Morgan Moore relax with drinks in the James River at the Pony Pasture early Saturday evening before a thunderstorm rolled through. Aug. 6, 2016
James River Park System
Two kayakers float in the James River near the Lee Bridge in Richmond, VA Tuesday, July 26, 2016 as the temperature hovered near 100 degrees.
James River Park System
The sun sets on the James River as a pedestrian watches from Belle Isle June 14, 2016.
James River Park System
A view of Brown’s Island and the Manchester Bridge crossing the James River in Richmond, VA, photographed from the 24th floor of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond building Friday, June 3, 2016.
James River Park System
Bosher’s Dam, as seen from the south side of the James River. Photo from May, 2009. The structure is a fish laddar that allows fish, such as the American shad, to make their way above the dam.
James River Park System
Barbara Eck (left) and Alice Boller look for birds along the James River at the Pony Pasture, May 11, 2016. The two joined a few other local birders there Wednesday morning.
James River Park System
A prothonotary warbler. The small songbird was spotted by bird watchers along the James River at the Pony Pasture section of James River Park. May 11, 2016.
James River Park System
In recent months, cameras placed in Richmond’s James River Park to detect wildlife caught coyotes for the first time. However, the animals weren’t confirmed to be coyotes until Friday, Nov. 6, 2015. The cameras are part of Science in the Park, a collaboration of Virginia Commonwealth University, the park and others. Coyotes are now widespread across Virginia, but the stealthy animals are seldom seen.
James River Park System
In recent months, cameras placed in Richmond’s James River Park to detect wildlife caught coyotes for the first time. However, the animals weren’t confirmed to be coyotes until Friday, Nov. 6, 2015. The cameras are part of Science in the Park, a collaboration of Virginia Commonwealth University, the park and others. Coyotes are now widespread across Virginia, but the stealthy animals are seldom seen.
James River Park System
The new walk bridge, left, from Brown’s Island to the south side of the James River in Richmond, VA, is nearing completion Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015.
James River Park System
The new walk bridge from Brown’s Island to the south side of the James River in Richmond, VA, is nearing completion Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015.
James River Park System
Zoe Trenz, age 17, and her Pomeranian Hienzenberg stopped to view the James River at Huguenot Flatwater Park after it rose to over nine feet Sunday, October 4, 2015.
James River Park System
(L-R) Emmett Shreve, age 3, his friend Alice Hunter, age 4, and her cousin Ford Hunter, age 3, watch the churning waters of the James River at Pony Pasture after the river rose to over nine feet Sunday, October 4, 2015.
James River Park System
Deepannita Hossain, left, 22, and Sahba Abolfazli, right, 22, (cqbb both names) both senior chemical engineering students at UVA, pause to watch the James River flow by the Pony Pasture area in Richmond, VA Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015. Hossain is a native of Bangaladesh and Abolfazli is a native of Iran.
James River Park System
A blue catfish in the James River, August 12, 2015.
James River Park System
Visitors to the James River Park left litter among the rocks. During the James River Regional Cleanup, officials announced that volunteers collected nearly 700 bags of trash and recyclable materials.
James River Park System
Isaiah Carter, 4, casts his line at Reedy Creek in James River Park in the late afternoon, July 24, 2015. He was fishing with his dad, Clarence Carter, and brother, Logan Macklin. They caught some catfish and blue gill. They live in Amelia County.
James River Park System
A kayaker paddles near the Intermediate Terminal on the James River in Richmond, VA Thursday, August 13, 2015.
James River Park System
A group of kayakers hold their paddles aloft as they move down the James River, as seen from Willow Oaks country club on June 12, 2015.
James River Park System
Some participants of the Sierra Nevada Kayak Boatercross get a preview of the course in the James River before the race at Dominion Riverrock Sat. May 16, 2015 in Richmond VA.
James River Park System
Mountain bikers ride over the southside bridge at Belle Isle in the James River Park, June 26, 2014.
James River Park System
As a CSX coal train passes, swimmers enjoy the James River next to Brown’s Island, May 31, 2015.
James River Park System
Members of the James River High School crew team practice on the James River near Robious Landing Park while a paddleboarder heads upstream, March 17, 2015. Gusty winds made paddling a challenge, some of the rowers said.
James River Park System
A bald eagle sits atop its nest in a pine tree along the James River in Richmond on March 17, 2015
James River Park System
A great blue heron rests atop a tree next to the James River, near Bosher’s Dam in Richmond, March 19, 2015. In this view, we are looking under the bird’s beak.
James River Park System
Tyler Ketchum, 9 (front) rides with David Kern along the Buttermilk Trail at James River Park, Aug. 6, 2014. Tyler, who has autism spectrum disorder and ADHD, has found that mountain biking is therapeutic. Kern is co-owner of RideKore, an International Mountain Bicycling Association certified company.
James River Park System
A Northern Water Snake was spotted sunning on a rock on Belle Isle in the James River Monday, May 23, 2005.
James River Park System
Participants in the James River Jump take the plunge into the 41-degree waters of the James River in Richmond, Virginia, Saturday, January 31, 2015. The event, Shiver in the River , is part of the Keep Virginia Beautiful campaign.
James River Park System
James River is viewed near Belle Isle in Richmond on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015.
James River Park System
Seagulls rest on a rock in the James River in downtown Richmond VA Fri. Jan. 2, 2015.
James River Park System
The 22nd Street entrance to the James River Park System in Richmond VA Fri. Dec. 12, 2014.
James River Park System
Members of the River City Magnolias perform a synchronized swim routine in the James River near Ancarrow’s Landing, Sunday, August 24, 2014.
James River Park System
Members of the River City Magnolias encircle coach/soloist Vittoria DeMaurizi as they perform a synchronized swim routine in the James River near Ancarrow’s Landing, Sunday, August 24, 2014.
James River Park System
Participants float in orange tubes during the James River Splash and Dash in Richmond VA Sat. July 26, 2014.
James River Park System
A Silvery Checkerspot butterfly sits on a flower in the James River Park at Reedy Creek Saturday, July 12, 2014.
James River Park System
(L-R) James Shelton, Leslie Allanson and Jacob Maxfield spy a butterfly to count in the James River Park at Reedy Creek Saturday, July 12, 2014. They are part of an effort to record the number of butterflies in the Richmond area for the North American Butterfly Association.
James River Park System
Drew Wilmink of Henrico casts a fishing rod at Huguenot Flashwater, part of The James River Park System, in Richmond on Monday, June 16, 2014. Wilmink said fishing and kayaking at the James River is the big part of his life.
James River Park System
View of the Brown’s Island Dam Walk from a rock in the James River. Oct. 18, 2013.