JROC Minutes:

JROC Meeting

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Legends

Brian Mutchler, Presiding

 

Meeting Called to Order: 6:15PM

 

 

 

 

 

Gift Baskets: Amy Waters reported that the baskets were done! Go Amy! Gift Certificates and more. Delivery will be on Saturday, December 13th. Meet at 10:00am at Reedy Creek. and afterwards…..

 

Pumphouse: On Saturday, December 13th join Bill Swann and group at 9:00am to dig postholes for the new Pumphouse ramp….and afterwards….

 

Parade of Lights on the James: Help Lorne load supplies at 3:30pm for the trip to Libby Hill, then stay around to help with cider and goodies and watch the Parade of Lights on the James River from atop Libby Hill Park.

 

James River Park Pamphlet – Español. Tricia is preparing a pamphlet designed to welcome Richmond’s Latino community to the James River Park. The brochure covers parking, map, best use practices for hiking, fishing, etc + safety issues and emergency  and Park contacts. Rich Young, Brian Mutchler and Greg Velzy have been very helpful. The pamphlet will go to Tanya Gonzalez, director, Richmond’s Hispanic Liaison Office, then to be printed. Tricia will be back at January meeting with printing estimates to ask for funds.

 

Trails: Nathan Burrell Trails Manager for the City Of Richmond announced Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine rated James River Park trails 3rd best Urban Hike in the Southeast.  Other accolades as well!

 

Nathan has been given the go-ahead by Parks and Rec to develop a Masterplan for Forest Hill and Powhite Park: How to be developed, etc. He is also working on procuring night use permits for “full moon kayak trips”

 

Linking Northbank Trail to the Pumphouse : Working with public Utilities + added width to make this possible.

 

His estimate for needed rock tools – hammers, etc is $1200. It was moved and seconded that these funds be allotted. Motion passed with caveat that all tools be inscribed with ’JROC’

 

Riverside Scenic Roadway: Everything seems to be going as planned. See Times-Dispatch article below.

 

Pumphouse Update: Lorne reported that he has volunteers waiting to help! On December 13th Richmond ASR: Bill and Marianne Swann  - are digging post holes to get ready for framing for wheelchair ramp. Important to get this in place to effect the Pumphouse audio/video social history piece. Supply costs - $8400. It was moved and seconded that up to $8400 be allowed for this part of the supplies WITH a budget in place which is approved by Sally, treasurer. This proposal was revised to allow $1500 for posts and concrete and revisit the proposal at the January meeting with a budget in place for the full project– passed..

 

FOJRP: Greg Velzy – no report.

 

 

 

Van Fundraising: Julianna Wilson reminded of efforts to purchase a van for Sheila Luellen who is her good friend, kayaking buddy and also involved with the River Runner program at the VA. Confined to a wheelchair for 24 years, her van was totaled  recently. Currently Julie is running a cash raffle with incentives + plans for a pasta dinner at The Camel on January 10, 2009 7-10pm. For more information contact julianna.wilson@gmail.com or www.gosheilago.info

 

 

 

 

Brian Mutchler – President: Please brainstorm over the Holidays on how you would like to see our James River Park improve. Feel free to submit items to Brian for the agenda at the January meeting …and anyone interested in a separate project B.S. session toward the end of January at the pub of your choice, let him know!

 

Calendar Items:

 

Saturday, December 13th: Parade of Lights: Libby Hill – around the Soldiers and Sailors Monument - need help 4-6:00pm

 

Sunday, December 21st: Winter Solstice: Gather on the Belle Isle bridge at 5:00pm for a walk among Lumieres to celebrate the solstice and proceed to Monument Avenue for further merriment.

 

JROC on the Web: Send minutes highlights to Jim Juritsch

 

Membership: Pay Dues. We are building membership!

 

 

Adjourn: 7:05pm          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A road with a view

 

A Road With A View

Riverside Drive’s designation as a “Richmond Scenic Byway” would help protect the historic, scenic and cultural interests of the river.

 

JOE MACENKA TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Published: December 29, 2008

There are already plenty of signs marking Riverside Drive as it parallels the south bank of the James River across Richmond.

The road could soon be getting more.

Legislation is working its way through the city's government to have Riverside Drive designated as a "Richmond Scenic Byway."

The proposal, approved by the City Council's land-use committee this month, is to go before the full council next month. If passed, the measure would provide another method to protect a road that many consider one of Richmond's natural treasures.

"We're always trying to recognize what a wonderful asset the James River is to the city, and this is just another way of recognizing that," said City Councilwoman Kathy C. Graziano, who sponsored the legislation and whose 4th District includes Riverside Drive.

Riverside Drive, which over the years has accumulated various roadside signs designating everything from bicycle trails to "salamander crossing" zones, would be in line to get a new set of markers recognizing its status as a local scenic byway.

Graziano and other supporters said such a designation would serve as another tool to help the city protect the historic, scenic and cultural interests of the river and the areas immediately adjacent to it. In essence, it would be a visible reminder to developers and others that the city regards the area as a valuable natural resource, and that the riverfront's attributes need to be considered when it comes to areas such as development, traffic flow and the like.

Riverside Drive starts at the south end of the Lee Bridge, near Cowardin Avenue, and snakes its way west, ending at Hickory Road, roughly halfway between the Huguenot and Willey bridges. Along the way, it provides numerous vantage points of the river as well as the downtown Richmond skyline.

Even though a significant portion of Riverside Drive affords views of the downtown landscape, the road can leave travelers feeling like they're exploring one of Virginia's pristine rural outposts -- far, far from the capital city's concrete and steel office towers.

And that, according to Riverside Drive's supporters, is what makes it special.

Indeed, the nearly 3,000 miles of roads on the state-designated Virginia Byways program, designed to highlight areas of natural beauty and historic significance, are almost exclusively in rural areas. And Richmond officials said they have been unable to find any other Virginia cities that have designated any of their local roads as scenic byways.

"We believe it to be unique in Virginia," said David Hathcock, Graziano's City Council liaison.

The proposal was originated by the Friends of James River Park and has earned the backing of the civic associations representing all the neighborhoods through which the road passes: Woodland Heights, Forest Hill, Westover Hills and Southampton.

Graziano said the road's attraction is a natural to anyone who travels on it.

"It's just plain nice," she said. "It makes your day when you get to go on Riverside Drive."
Contact Joe Macenka at (804) 649-6804 or jmacenka@timesdispatch.com .