By Justin Doyle, JRA’s Outreach
Manager
Despite the train derailment and
oil spill in Lynchburg on April 30th, 2014 was generally a good year
for the James River. While reflecting on 2014 I decided to have some fun and highlight
the more memorable moments from this past year.
Museum Exhibits
Three wonderful river-related
exhibits opened in museums across the James River watershed this year:
- Experience The James: Lynchburg’s Pathway to the World opened at the Lynchburg Museum in June
- “Working and Racing on The Bay: The Chesapeake Log Canoe,” curated by The Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, opened at Jamestown Settlement in September
- Richmond’s The Valentine reopened to the public in October after extensive renovations. The James River is featured in the museum’s permanent exhibit This is Richmond, Virginia.
New Public River Access Sites
New public river access sites
opened on the James River in the Town of Glasgow, on the Jackson River in the
Town of Clifton Forge, and on the Chickahominy River at the Grapevine Bridge in
eastern Henrico County! The success of all three projects is attributed to
strong community support and the collaborative work of many partners.
Terrain360 Virtual Tour of the James River
This virtual tour of the James River is the first of its kind. All 340+ miles of the river were
captured by an array of six cameras attached to a raft that floated from the
Town of Clifton Forge to the mouth of the James River at the Chesapeake Bay.
JRA and its partners led another
successful advocacy effort to ensure implementation of the Richmond Riverfront
plan progressed in 2014. Nearly $10M has been appropriated to the
implementation, specifically the construction of the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial
Bridge, in recent years. The bridge will connect the north and south banks of
the river and accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists. JRA publicly thanked
Mayor Jones and City Council for their support of the plan at the James River
Splash and Dash in July.
Our River at Risk
JRA launched an advocacy campaign
titled “Our River at Risk” to protect the James River from toxic threats
including rail transport, chemical storage, and coal ash storage ponds. To get
involved in this campaign to protect the James River, join JRA’s Advocacy Network. Visit www.riveratrisk.org to learn more.
