James River Park Programs Scheduled

The department has scheduled three programs to be held in its James River Park System.       
     On Friday, July 29, children and their families are invited to come to the park’s headquarters at Reedy Creek, 4001 Riverside Drive, for a program called “Insects at Night.” This program offers a hands-on investigation of insects caught in light traps and is co-sponsored by the James River Park System and VCU. No fee or advance registration is required for the program, which will take place from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

     On Saturday, July 30, back by popular demand, the department will offer a guided Torch-Lit Walk on the Slave Trail. The walk, which will cost $5 per person, will start at 8:30 p.m. from Ancarrow’s Landing, located at 1308 Bander St. No advance registration is required, and return transportation to the parking lot following the walk will be provided.

     On Friday, Aug. 12, the department will offer a “Moonlight Paddle and Picnic for Wounded Warriors.” This free program is co-sponsored by the James River Park System, the James River Outdoor Coalition and McGuire Veterans Hospital, and all veterans, “wounded warriors,” handicapped individuals, and the general public are invited to participate. The event will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Huguenot Flatwater, located at 8200 Riverside Drive. Advance registration by Wednesday, Aug. 10, is required by calling (804) 646-8911. There is no fee to participate.

 

April 16 Arbor Day Festival Offers Fun for the Entire Family

Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will co-sponsor Stay Co2ol With Trees, Richmond’s third annual Arbor Day celebration with fun and information for everyone in the family. Come out and enjoy the activities at the Carillon in Byrd Park on Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It's free to attend and will be held rain or shine. At the event, children can climb trees, hunt “treasure,” create art or make a pinecone bird feeder. They will meet PBS KIDS’ Clifford the Big Red Dog and Nutzy, the Richmond Flying Squirrels’ mascot, as well as members of the Richmond Police Department’s Mounted Patrol and the Richmond Fire Department. The Sharon Rae North Trio, a jazz combo, will entertain; tree care professionals will be on hand to offer expert advice; and woodcarvers will demonstrate their skill. Plants, landscaping services, pruning tools and more will be exhibited and on sale, and a “Wow! Tree Walk” will be held throughout the event. What's a “Wow! Tree Walk?” It’s “Wow! I didn’t know bad mulching could kill a tree! Wow! I didn't know that trees can reduce street maintenance costs . . . raise property values . . . reduce summer and winter energy costs!” Wow, it's free park walks led by experts who will answer all your questions about trees. Also on the program, from 11 a.m. to noon, Lou Verner, wildlife-mapping coordinator of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, will explain “Why We Won’t Save Wildlife Without Native Plant Landscapes.” In addition, gardening expert Richard Nunnally will be on hand to talk with fans and help solve plant problems. The festival will conclude with a ceremonial tree planting presented by the American Legion Post 84 with their Color Guard and Memorial Rifles. Arbor Day sponsors include the Richmond Tree Stewards, Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, and Richmond’s Urban Forestry Division of the Department of Public Works. Gold corporate sponsors include Dominion, the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Community Idea Stations Public Broadcasting. Silver Sponsors include Cisneros Roofing, Colesville Nursery, Davey Tree Expert Co., Glen Allen Nursery, Riverside Outfitters and Virginia Department of Forestry. Bronze Sponsors include Arborscapes LLC, Circle Safety & Health Consultants LLC, Ginter Park Residents Association, Hudgins Landscaping, James River Grounds Management, Richmond Flying Squirrels, Richmond International Raceway, Truetimber Tree Service Inc., Vermeer Mid Atlantic, and Westover Hills Neighborhood Association. The Richmond Tree Stewards are trained volunteers who help the arborists of Urban Forestry care for trees along city streets and in parks. In 2010, they volunteered more than 1,500 hours of service to the city. You too can be a Tree Steward. Learn more at http://richmondtreestewards.wordpress.com or visit with them at the festival.

Take a Valentine's Date to see Richmond's Heron Rookery

The department invites you to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a tour of the Heron Rookery in the James River Park.
“The courtship behavior of the Great Blue Herons can be eerily similar to that of humans,” says Ralph White, the park’s manager.
The guided tour will take place Saturday, Feb. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants are advised to dress for the weather, and although some spotting scopes will be available, bring binoculars if they have them. Cameras can also be used.
The cost of the tour is $5 for adults and $1 for children 12 and younger. Special parking for this event is available in the Whitewater Boater’s Lot next to the Floodwall on the northeast side of the 14th Street Bridge where the group will meet. It is a short walk to the Heron Rookery and you will need to be able to climb a ladder to get there.
This tour is co-sponsored by Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Richmond Audubon Society. For more information, call 804-646-8911.
This tour will be offered again on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the same time.

Volunteers Needed to Help 'Tree the Track'

Do you enjoy Byrd Park? Have you ever used the Byrd Park vita course? Are you looking for a way to help make our city a better place to live? Then join the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities and the Friends of Byrd Park on Saturday, January 22, from 9 a.m. to noon, in a Neighbor-to-Neighbor project that will help beautify the park.
Volunteers are needed to help plant 30 new trees around the Byrd Park vita course. The holes will be dug in advance, and volunteers are needed to mulch, water and shovel dirt around the new plantings. This project is a great activity for families to enjoy together, and all ages can help.
Neighbor-to-Neighbor is an initiative of Mayor Dwight C. Jones to encourage the residents of Richmond to get involved and become active architects in “Building a Better Richmond.”
For more information and to volunteer to help Tree the Track, call 355-2639 or 342-9005 or visit www.Richmondgov.com/Mayor and click on the Neighbor-to-Neighbor link.

Department Offers Guided Walks

The department will continue offering its guided walks on the Slave Trail on Saturdays in March and has added a new walk in the James River Park to see the growing nesting colony of Great Blue Herons.
The guided walks along the Slave Trail will be offered every Saturday in March at 2 p.m. These are emotional walks that originate at the docks at Ancarrow’s Landing and cross the river to conclude at the site of Lumpkin’s Jail and the Reconciliation Statue.
Guided walks to see the heron rookery on the James River are a new program being offered in partnership with the Audubon Society. They will be held every Saturday throughout March at 11 a.m.
More than 40 nests of Great Blue Herons have been counted already in the James River Park’s growing rookery. This is a short hike to the viewing site, but you must be able to climb a ladder. Dress appropriately, and if possible bring binoculars or a spotting scope.
All walks are $5 per person and advance registration is required by calling 646-8911.

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