November 2016 Meeting Minutes

• Grace from Department of Public Utilities:
  • Reedy Creek Stream Restoration:
    • 5 creek restorations in total. Reedy, Pocosham, Pocoshock, Goodes
      creek, Rattlesnake creek. Also work in Maury Cemetery and falling creekreservoir dredging.
    • Restoration would require removing several trees along the bank of thecreeks. DPU claims stream improvement would benefit wildlife and
      stream bed health.
    • More info grace.lerose@richmond.gov
• Treasurers Report:
  • $14,416 available funds.
• Legend Check Donation:
  • Legend Brewing made their check donation along with brown distribution totaling $1600.00 ~. These funds were proceeds from ZDAM ale and James River Run.
  • Discussed continuing race with Legend. Zeke made notes related to making event earlier to cater to the runners.
• 14th Street Takeout Projects and Issues:
  • Riprap was placed to restore the area that was washed out this summer.
  • Discussed methods of maintaining rip rap along the river bank.
  • Nathan reiterated that we cannot be unloading/parking in the road.
  • Discussed methods of enforcing the fact that parking/ unloading is not allowed there.
• November Work Project:
  •  Saturday 11/19 at 9:00AM @ Wetlands
  • Wetland Project to restore gravel.
• Boats and Brews:
  • Coastal Canoeists has requested assistance for boats and brews in return we would receive proceeds from the trip.
  • Discussed if we could acquire AV equipment.
  • Postponed decision to commit our assistance until events committee can figure it out.
• Reel Paddling Film Festival:
  • Discussed hosting the event if we could lock down a warmer month for the event.
  • Events Committee is discussing.
• Hunter Davis Photo Gallery @ Crossroads
  • An event to document fall foliage along the James River.
  • Proceeds would go to JROC.
  • Pending date for event JROC has agreed to assist in the setup.
• Volunteer Insurance:
  • JROC is now fully insured for all volunteer events.
• Access Subcommittee Report:
  • Got in touch with Timmons group regarding Handicap accessible access for Pony Pasture and possibly Huguenot Flatwater. Waiting on quote
• Projects Subcommittee:
  • Prioritized projects starting with Wetlands erosion improvement.
  • Next project would be Belle Isle climbing cable improvement.
  • 14th Street Takeout Gravel Pickup and spruce up of the lot. New signage for stopping.
  • Boating Gear Lockers and Maintenance of changing rooms.
  • Huguenot flatwater with universal accessibility as a priority.
  • Wetlands Bump outs for bridge on Wetlands.
  • Pony Pasture Rock Removal.
  • Removal of old culverts near shelter and boulevard bridge.
  • Formalized access of crossing from Pump house to North bank Trail.
  • Concerted efforts by vendors and school groups to help with trash and improve the park.
  • Better Notification for work projects.
• Promotions Subcommittee:
  • Mailchimp account has been formulated.
• Other Fountains Progress:
  • Venture Richmond project at Tredegar Street is on hold for election. Hoping post-election we will move this forward.
• Mike B Trails Report
  • HKS engineering firm is helping with reconfiguring at North bank Trail head to help with cyclist flow.
  • Bridges will be placed along the outflow across from Maymont on north bank.
  • Poop loop trails restoration and skills parks will be happening this November.
  • Annual Trail 101 Class was last Saturday Oct 22nd. 24 folks came out and restored a portion of north bank.
  • Rebuilding bridges on a continuing basis.
• Mike Gee
  • October 2016 there were 97,199 visitors in the park.
  • A 10,000 person increase from last year this time.
  • Pocahontas State Park has a lower visitor count than James River Park System. with an operating budget significantly less in JRPS.
• Nathan Report:
  • New signs on north bank trail interprets the old waterworks building. Thanks to the James River Hikers for making that happen including removal of kudzu from the wall.
  • Invasive Species task force continues to move forward. Focusing on Belle Isle, Reedy Creek Area, and Huguenot Flatwater. Working on a grant that would employ an invasive task force employee for the park.
  • Working on development of an economic impact study for the park. Working to get the park user data used to improve park funding and outcomes. Expected to be completed by the end of January 2017.
  • Friends of the Park assisting in creating the masterplan for the park. Old plan is from 1968. Plan is from Belle Isle Bridge area heading west. Timmons and Hargrave are the companies assisting in the plan.
  • Easement discussions have been going on to add additional acreage (140 Acres) to the park easement. Insuring there is a document to clarify the conservation easement.
  • T Tyler Potterfield Dam Walk was awarded a grant that will help define a pathway on the Southside of the river. Also replacing benches and mat storage over there. The grant will also add climbing improvement to the Manchester Wall. Estimated opening is December 15th, 2016

October 2016 Park Visitation Numbers