2/1/23
- January minutes approved
- Treasurer’s Report approved
- Huguenot Flatwater still needs: boat slide at end of ramp, excessive drop fixed (prohibitive below 5’ river level), donor’s plaque, bumper on edge of lip
- Discussed dumping river rock upstream of the ramp. Need near-term and long-term solutions. No permits needed for extension or handrail addition.
- Next accessible ramp project: discussed Pony Pasture, under I-95 bridge (could be another space for fishing, too)
- Banff Film Festival 3/9-3/11, James River HS again
- Tickets selling fast, $7. JROC needs someone to table at the event the 10th-11th.
- Gear Swap 4/22
- Partnering w/Sims Metal for Earth Day event at Bryan Park. They’re a recycler w/office in Richmond working on sustainability efforts
- Joey’s VCU class involved again this year
- Exact hours and location TBD
- We handle Gear Swap finances as usual- just partnering on location/event. Expecting a big crowd.
- James River Women
- Has insurance now- Monument Sports Group. Paid for using JRW funds. Can now move forward with JRPS permits, programs through RPS, and getting more grants. Costs $2100/year.
- JROC elections next month
- Email Matt R. your intentions. Elections at the general meeting in March.
- Projects
- January: we spread lots of gravel and cleaned up steps at Reedy Creek put-in. Got a big log out of Hollywood w/TrueTimber’s help.
- February:
- 2/12 @ 10am – life rings project at Ancarrow’s Landing
- 2/18 @ 9am – spreading gravel at the base of Manchester Wall. Put the word out to climbers.
- Future needs:
- 14th St take-out steps- couple of rotting ties, graffiti, rebar getting exposed
- River feature below Corner rapid- remove logs? Maybe a call on James River Homosapiens group.
- 4th drop of Pipeline undercut an issue – lots of players (Army Corps of Engineers, DWR, City of Richmond). Need to assess historical structure, habitat, etc.
- After 4th drop – upstream side of railroad bridge – old rails need cleaning up
- James River Park System updates
- Directional signage on trails forthcoming, just at major junctions. Need to know which ones, how many.
- Map holders at kiosks. Need to stock with river safety maps and trail maps. Replacing kiosks with more modern ones is not a priority unless one breaks.
- Final accounting on new flip signs needed. Still have VOF funds and we owe the final report. Have received ¼ of the $20k awarded so far. Reprinting only the broken flip signs for VOF submittal- but yes to ordering all replacements w/remaining funds ($12k)
- River Safety signage regarding Bosher’s dam: Chesterfield – Robious and upstream. Private property owner gave OK for sign in yard, also the property w/boat ramp at dam. Hanging sign from river-crossing Dominion power lines not happening, but they gave permission for river-left portage trails and signage on property. To be designed by Timmons.
- Archeology at Pony Pasture (Dept of Historic Resources): happening now in Wetlands. Not about development, it’s a grant-provided archeological survey (first since the ‘70s). It’s intrusive, though, and pits needs complete refilling. They were asked to stay away from ecologically sensitive areas. Artifacts found are cataloged then go back to the Park.
- Repairing surface of parking lot at Pony Pasture
- Ranger interviews soon, 5 positions. They’ll be HQ’d at Pony, bathrooms / upstairs office getting renovated.
- Commercial river use permits: ordinance active in March- $ from outfitters’ permits coming through w/special revenue acct; fees all going to parks instead of general fund. Private boaters are not affected.
- Federal grants coming in (IIJA etc)- once in a generation park-related funding! Looking at invasive plant removal, impervious surface removal, and possibly even removing the Belle Isle hydroelectric plant and rebuilding other structures there.
- Northbank tower: WRA firm is going ahead w/their proposal, repairing in place (shortens timeline and is cheaper). Could be a midterm solution. CSX will need to be involved eventually. Plans cost $155k, $2 million for completion.
- Tredegar ramp: demolish/repair approved.
- Streetlight location / park usage data is already coming in. Reports TBA.
- JRPS is expanding significantly in the next few years. Increased FT staff will be a big need. VCU study found that $40 million comes into the city from JRPS.
- Falls of the James / Scenic Rivers – break / no meeting last month
- Friends of JRPS – WRR on 4/15. John Bryan’s book (park guide) updated. Volunteer groups contacting them to help. Company in Manchester who recycles paint- giving them lots for graffiti coverage (supposedly ‘graffiti proof’)
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