Talking about The River

Mark your calendars, Richmond, for the next Evening at Morton’s: An Online Community Conversation. That’s right, the next #SteakchatRVA is on Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. and this time an exciting panel of Richmonders is sitting down to dine and discuss the James River.

With moderator John Sarvay at the helm, this online conversation, which you can follow via live blog here or Twitter using the hashtag #SteakchatRVA, will cover anything and everything about the James River – from what we love about its recreational uses, to what we want to see along its waterfront and in its future.

Readers are encouraged to participate in this community conversation by asking questions during the discussion (via live blog or Twitter) or submitting them in advance to content@richmond.com or just posting in the comments below.

The James River is your river, Richmond, so ask the panelists whatever you want to know about life and recreation on the James.

Meet the Panel:  

Brooke Hardin / City of Richmond / Deputy Director, Department of Planning & Development Review / 8 years in Richmond / www.richmondgov.com

How is your job connected to the river?

As a city planner, my job involves both current development and long-range planning for all areas, including the river.  Later this year, the city will initiate a community planning process to develop a design plan for the James River through Downtown.

What’s your favorite part of / access point to the James River?

A spot on the south bank just downstream from the Atlantic Coast Line bridge.

What’s your favorite thing to do on the River?

Float on an inner tube from Westover Hills to the James River Park System Headquarters at Reedy Creek.

If you could change / add on thing about the River or general area, what would it be? Add new public access points and continue to improve connections to the river from neighborhoods.

What do you think is the most underappreciated part of the river by residents? Ancarrow’s Landing and the nearby area on the south bank.

Sarah Kim / James River Association / Sr. Director of Development and Marketing (job-shared) / 18 years in Richmond

What sparked your first interest in River recreation and involvement?
I have long been an outdoor enthusiast but fundraising for an environmental cause is very different than raising funds for arts and culture. It has been fun to learn about the more technical aspects of the river and to meet a new segment of the Richmond's philanthropic community.

What’s your favorite thing to do on the River?

I took up the sport at age 40 and love it! Problem is the big time commitment and coordinating schedules among 5 busy people. So while I don't manage to get out much lately - plans are to resume as soon as I can - you know when life slows down and the kids don't need me so much.

For now - I am enjoying our family's new proximity to the river. We just moved from the the Museum District to Westover Hills with a winter view of the river and easy access via the Buttermilk Trail. We are having a blast on the pipelines and little islands in the the river. Seems most of my neighbors have kayaks in their back yards - we need to get on board with that!

What do you think is the most underappreciated part of the river by residents?

I don't know that people fully appreciate the wildlife that calls the river home. I am constantly amazed by the number of bald eagles and heron. I love seeing something so grand and graceful swoop by unexpectedly.

Since coming to work for JRA - I have been exposed to so many different parts and aspects of the river. The James has so many varied scapes and personalities to fall in love with. For folks without boats - it seems it would be very difficult to have these opportunities - if the river was more accessible - more people would be passionate about taking care of it.

Matt Perry / Riverside Outfitters / President/co-owner / I've lived in Richmond for 18 years, RO has been is Richmond for 5 years / www.riversideoutfitters.net 

How is your job connected to the river?

My job is all about providing an outdoor community center for Richmond and it's visitors to have good, safe, natural fun. Our playground is largely the James River and James River Park System. I have fully committed myself, and RO has fully committed itself, to vitalizing outdoor recreation in the city by guiding people back to the river and into the woods ... with the hope that they'll come to take care of both.  

What’s your favorite part of / access point to the James River?

Tough question. Either Huguenot Flatwater for fishing, chilling out and low-logistics, or Pipeline for sheer beauty, novelty and great flow. 

What’s your favorite thing to do on the River?

Kayak recreationally on the Upper section from Pony Pasture to Reedy Creek ... or hike the Buttermilk trail in the winter.  

If you could change / add one thing about the River or general area, what would it be?

Magically speaking, I would want a constant water level between 5 and 6 feet. Practically speaking, I would increase Ralph White's budget threefold.  

What do you think is the most underappreciated part of the river by residents?

The section from Belle Isle to Mayo Island. Most people have no idea how beautiful, diverse and unique it is to have our city located where the Falls and Tidal ecosystems meet and where there is big white water to play on. 

Phil Riggan / NBC12 / Executive Producer New Media / 22 years in Richmond / nbc12.com (job) and rotj.wordpress.com (blog) 

What sparked your first interest in River recreation and involvement?

I gained appreciation for the James while assigning myself stories to post to the DiscoverRichmond.com website when I was working for Media General. The more stories, slideshows and video I produced, the more interested and involved I became. 

What’s your favorite part of / access point to the James River?

The James River Railway Bridge. One of the main reasons I bought a kayak was so I could reach this area more easily. 

What’s your favorite thing to do on the River?

Kayak, hike and bike the JRPS trails, and when the river is low enough, hike the rocks in the middle of the river. 

If you could change / add one thing about the River or general area, what would it be?

I’d love to be able to use the Kanawha canal to form a circuit between Tredegar and the Pumphouse. This is a simple change that CSX would have to approve, but the enhancement to the river experience and possibilities for creating an outdoor draw from this is strong. People can use the canal to do this on the Appomattox river in Petersburg, and it is convenient. Adds to the experience.

What do you think is the most underappreciated part of the river by residents?

The islands downtown are incredible, and the views of the downtown skyline and nature are amazing. They are under appreciated because there is no proper, safe access. It’s probably for the best that area is underappreciated – just like Williams Island at Pony Pasture. We need to have places that most people don’t tread.

Lucy Meade with Venture Richmond (bios coming)