February Meeting Minutes

2/7/24

• January minutes approved
• Treasurer’s Report approved
  • Need to use excess Huguenot Flatwater access ramp funds for another river access project- Pony Pasture discussed 
• JRPS Report
  • Visitation January 2024: 87,107 (all counters currently working). Slightly under January 2023 but on-par with January 2022.
  • Completed projects
    • Disabled parking plaques re-installed
    • Z-Dam warning buoys ripped out in high water again; plans to install replacements tomorrow
    • Ancarrow’s Landing life rings replaced
    • Last of 4 memorial benches installed on Belle Isle
    • Pleasant’s Creek Trail and ruts in Pony Pasture parking lot fixed (due to high water events) 
    • MLK Jr. service day: volunteer group installed tree ID markers on Reedy Creek bypass trail
    • New signs being installed for Crooked Branch
    • Wedge building on Belle Isle roof collapsed – park to contract demolition of that building in the near future
    • 4 staff attended conference/training
    • New JRPS park property along Dock Street visited. Plans to do trash pickup, mowing, landscaping, and trail building soon. Slated to open in June.
  • Someone proposed having JROC volunteers help with parking attendance at Reedy Creek and Pony Pasture on busy summer Saturdays 
• JROC project report
  • 1/27: removed old changing stations at 14th Street takeout
  • February project: cont. Jan. project – will replace the demolished changing rooms with donated ones from Riverside Outfitters. Future projects: decking for outdoor classroom (possibly March or May).
• Upcoming Events
  • Banff Film Fest 3/8-9 – tabling for JROC 
  • Gear Swap 4/20 – takes the place of April project
    • Discussed donating unsold, unclaimed gear to Richmond Outdoor Gear Library
    • VCU OAP partnership for marketing again
    • Location back in Forest Hill Park – discussed inviting James River Women to facilitate kayaking in lake (many instructors / volunteers busy with ACA certification class that weekend)
• Election prep
  • Annual JROC elections to take place at the March meeting. Natalie Somerville to be new Secretary; President is up for grabs.