Preserving the James River Park System

Well, it may be counter-intuitive for a real estate agent to promote conservation and oppose development, but I applaud the Richmond City Council for approving the conservation easement of the James River Park System. Open access to the James, the parks and trails, and historical areas such as Belle Isle and the Shiplock Park, not only contributes to the intrinsic character of our city but it also adds to our quality of life.

From InRich.com on February 24,2009:

Richmond City Council "approved a conservation easement on 280 acres of the James River Park System. The easement, which attracted support from dozens of residents at last night's meeting, is structured to ensure that the parkland, including Belle Isle and Great Shiplock Park, will never be sold or developed, even by the city, with ballfields, concessions, playgrounds or cell-phone towers. "In our knowledge, this is the first urban conservation in the state of Virginia and maybe in the country," council President Kathy C. Graziano said.
The easement is co-held by the Capital Region Land Conservancy, the Richmond Recreation and Parks Foundation and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation."

About Us

JILL: As a lifelong Richmonder, I remember the days when the “new” mall in town was Regency Square, the Landmark Theatre was called the Mosque and attracted the likes of both Dave Matthews and Frank Sinatra and it was cool to hang out with your friends on a Saturday shopping and eating lunch at 6th Street Marketplace. I can now appreciate the wonderful quality of life that Richmond offers for raising a family, and how its close proximity to the mountains, beach, and the nation’s capital allow for spontaneous local adventures. I love our city’s history but relish the efforts made to push forward with the rejuvenation of the riverfront district and the Broad Street corridor, the expansion of VCU and the BioTech park and appreciate how the surrounding counties enhance our lives on a daily basis.

MARY: I’m a native of Savannah, GA, but I have spent many years living and working in New York, NY, Columbus, Ohio, Jacksonville, Florida and Roanoke, VA. I feel that I bring a newcomers perspective and I love sharing the many architecturally distinctive and interesting communities that Richmond has to offer. Before making a decision on location, let’s explore and find the neighborhood that best fits your lifestyle….that’s what I did!
I currently live in the Fan and love the urban-feel. Walking my kids to school or strolling to Kuba Kuba for dinner is a luxury that I choose not to give up. My kids have a “posse” of friends and love the immediate play dates that our close-knit neighborhood offers. If you like the outdoors and are looking for things to do with your family- check out the exercise course at Byrd Park or trek across the James River to Belle Isle for a picnic or swim in the James. And if that’s not exciting enough…drive to Charles City for a civil war re-enactment complete with costumes and camping!