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Imagine the East End Greenway
05/03/2009 10:30 AM by John M
A conversation with Fulton’s Carl Otto left me reeling from his idea of what could be something very cool in the East End.
Mr.Otto shared the idea of a connected greenway that spans the East End. Not very clear from the street, satellite photos make apparent a continuous greenspace from Oakwood and Evergreen Cemeteries to Briel Street, around or across the East End Landfill, through to Gillie’s Creek Park, connecting to the bottom of Chimborazo Park and on to the river. Already in varied use, imagine this stretch with bike and walking paths looping from Richmond Road down to the James River and connecting to the Virginia Capital Trail and the existing network of bike trails in the city.
A mighty oak springs from the smallest acorn.
Maybe it could connect to the Shockoe Valley Greenway and ride all the way to the Northside.
reminds of what toronto did with their parks. it’s pretty amazing.
I’m on board.
awesome! we can have some community gardens in the mix too!?
An excellent idea, and probably the only thing that will draw enough attention to Evergreen Cemetery to save it.
Very good idea!
excellent, dude.
Excellent idea. If there were mountain bike trails RAMORE would build them for free. Pedestrians could share the same trails. All of Forest Hill Park and North and South Trails are maintained by RAMORE.
#8, what is RAMORE?
RAMORE: the Richmond branch of the Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts
the RAMORES? Aren’t they, like, this totally excellent punk band out of Far Rockaway, NY?
Thanks, John.
Excellent idea, how do we make it a reality?
In a related topic, I have heard from several people that City Council has removed the $1 million the Mayor had put in the budget for the purchase of open/green space. Can anyone confirm? The budget hearing at City Council is tonight at 6:00 pm and it would be good to let them know our thoughts if this is true.
I like this idea, too. How can we make sure Otto’s ideas are brought to the attention of city council?
Ah, the Ramones. I loved it when they played at the Floodzone a few years back.
Gabba Gabba Hey!
I think we all need to keep in mind that the City is, by its own admission, a pretty terrible landlord. If the public is going to be asking the City to assemble large tracts of land, it either needs to be ready to hit the ground with Friends of Jefferson/Libby Hill Parks type support groups, or be ready to face the budget battles and lax maintenance standards associated with public ownership of large areas of land.
Sounds like a great source of Eagle Scout projects
“I believe the James River Park and the river are our most precious treasures,†Council Member Graziano said “and I am so pleased Richmond City Council and Mayor Jones’ administration have worked together to make sure that future generations can enjoy this park. â€
“Men can make a playground or a ball field, but no-one can craft something as vital and important as our park,†she continued. http://hillsandheights.org/tag/kathy-graziano/
Does this only apply when its her district?
Matt – Council is to debate that tonight. Some want to take the $3 million in the mayor’s budget he earmarks for buying greenspace and use it for projects in their districts. Remember the Paygo system and how well that worked? Same dog, new fleas.
This land is already all city-owned, I think. Adding trails wouldn’t require much from the city other than permission if volunteers could be organized.
Great idea!
Carl Otto has given great leadership for Gillies Creek Park and adjacent areas and deserves recognition.
My wife and I were walking our dogs on Stony Run Parkway recently and heard a very vocal pack of coyotes running and barking along the railroad tracks just North of Gillies Creek. Some folks don’t realize that coyotes moved east years ago and have even been spotted in New York’s Central Park.
While a “greenway” will be an excellent resource we must remain aware of the loss of “greenspace”. The RRHA Hope VI Fulton project will consume the large tract of greenspace and trees between Admiral Gravely Boulevard and the bottom of Powhatan Hill. Hopefully an outcome of this development will be a heightened awareness of the value of our disappearing green spaces in Richmond and Henrico County.
I haven’t heard the coyotes but it certainly will be an incentive for people to finally keep their pets on leash. Cats and small dogs wouldn’t stand a chance.
great idea– i’ve often thought that– I’m not sure if you are also including the space below chimbo park– and that sortof connect to the river– but i’ve often that it would be a great trail as well–
I’m on board…