Gambles Mill Eco-Corridor
The University of Richmond may hold the key for safe passage between the Huguenot Bridge and the Near West End and Henrico County with the implementation of its plan to develop a trail along Little Westham Creek.
“The finished Eco-Corridor will also feature a multi-use recreational trail between Westhampton Way and River Road,” according to the plan for the Gambles Mill Eco-Corridor.
Filed under Urban Planning
Richmond’s great network of hiking and biking trails are no accident. They were advocated for, planned and built by trail users. Volunteers have worked with city park staff for more than two decades to develop and maintain the trails and our region is better for them.
Over that time, Richmond has become more known as a great outdoors town. The trails are just part of the reason. We need to remain dedicated to protecting what we have and fight for more trails, especially ones that help connect neighborhoods, schools, commercial areas, employment centers and more.
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Filed under My life
My children and I biked and hiked this past weekend at Dutch Gap Conservation Area and Henricus Historical Park in southeastern Chesterfield County. Both parks offer lovely views of the James River and a departure from our more urban areas around Richmond.
As we drove up, before we began our adventures for the day, my son wondered aloud about the smoke/steam/pollution/discharge billowing out of two towering chimneys at the Dominion Virginia Power plant that is adjacent to the two parks. I had no solid answers in regards to the pollution, but we spent time throughout the day discussing coal ash, fly ash, retention ponds and the residual effects from generating power. Continue reading
Filed under My life
Science is awesome. I recently read “Chesapeake Invader: Discovering America’s Giant Meteorite Crater” by C. Wylie Poag. For a book about science, it is well-written, easy to read and thoroughly explains a fascinating topic, namely “America’s largest meteorite impact crater.”
Though the crater was formed 35 million years ago, it continues to influence Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay. So many mysteries about our region can be tied back into that catastrophic event. Continue reading
Filed under My life
I have been a supporter and an advocate for alternative modes of transportation for a long time, but I have not considered swimming as a mode of transportation. Students at Trinity Episcopal School have changed my way of thinking after they jumped into the chilly waters of the James River before school Monday morning.
OK, so they didn’t exactly commute to school by swimming and paddling. They were driven to the spot where they jumped in and they were driven back to school afterward. At least they were learning about alternative modes of transportation. Continue reading
Filed under My life
My Why, Richmond, Why?!? column for the Richmond Times-Dispatch this past week was one of those that I have to revisit now and then. This is the beauty of having a column and a platform to express myself and my feelings toward something that I wish people considered to be more important than they apparently do. Continue reading
Filed under My life
More more than a decade, I have contributed in one way or another to the Discover Richmond publications for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
I love guides that help tell the story of Richmond. The past, present and future. Events, where to go and what to do when you get there. The magazine can’t cover it all, but I love to read what other people have to say about my town. Continue reading
Filed under My life
Phil Riggan 