Category Archives: parks

Warning: Roundup In Monroe Park

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From neighbor and Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association President Todd Woodson:

I just confirmed with workers in Monroe Park that they are spraying Roundup™ weed killer on the entire lawn. In 2015, the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer declared glyphosate a carcinogen. More than 50 cities and counties have banned the chemical. Many consider glyphosate a significant cause of bee deaths. The Monroe Park “Conservancy” is a horrible steward of the environment and their lease must be terminated. Enter the park at your own risk!

In other Monroe Park news, VCU representatives Catherine Howard and Brian Shaw have dropped off the Monroe Park Conservancy’s board and Vice Provost Dr Charles Klink and VCU planner Jeff Eastman have been tapped to replace them. Sadly, no news on adding more community representation, despite past promises to City Council.

Belle Isle History Hike This Saturday

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The James River Park is holding a Belle Isle History Hike this Saturday from 11 am to 1 pm.

Here is some information:

Join us for a family friendly hike to one of Richmond’s historic gems, Belle Isle. Learn about the geologic and human history of the area and the role Richmond played in the development of our nation. Please bring water, a snack and good shoes.

Ages: 8 and Up
Price: $5
Location: Tredegar Parking Lot

Celebrating Oregon Hill Bees

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OHNA President Todd Woodson posted this today:

So proud of our great Open High students. Our neighborhood association partnered with Open, Richmond Parks and with a generous grant from Dominion Energy, we established a pollinator curriculum with a working hive area that the students maintain. The Mentor checked the hives today and said he’d never seen hives flourish like this with lots of honey already produced. This is the first initiative of its kind in the area. Would love to see it grow and flourish as well! We love our bees and our great students!!

Protect The Miner Bees

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No, these are not the new Oregon Hill bees, but a different type that can be found on Belle Island. Miner bees (the correct scientific name for this genus being ‘Andrena’) are one of the largest groups of solitary bees. It is believed to consist of over 1,300 known species of bees across the world.

In general, they seem to prefer to build nests in sandy soil, although some species are apparently less fussy, whilst others are more selective. The Ashy mining bee, Andrena cineraria is thought to prefer sloping sites, whereas the Grey-patched mining bee, Andrena nitida will nest in formal lawns but also sheep-grazed hillsides. They build little tunnels that look sort of like worm casts.

Neighbors are concerned about the increased activity due to Dominion River Rock and other outdoor events that could disturb the Belle Island miner bees, and asked that the City park keepers put some of these signs back up.

‘Terminate The Lease’ Rally On Friday

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From email announcement:

Dear Friends

This Friday, May 17th at 4PM there will be a peaceful rally asking to TERMINATE THE LEASE on Monroe Park held by the Monroe Park Conservancy. This will occur at Monroe Park across from the big tent. We will gather on Main st.

All members of the community are invited. The Monroe Park Conservancy holds a 30 year lease (since 2014) on the City’s oldest and most historic municipal park, purchased in 1851 by the City. The Park was reopened last Autumn after a 22 month renovation overseen by the City and the Monroe Park Conservancy. During that “renovation”, a substantial portion of the historic tree canopy was destroyed, ALL public restrooms were removed, the WWII Memorial was desecrated by a large electrical box and poorly planned and executed pathways were installed that wash gravel dust into the sewer system whenever it rains. Its time for the City to terminate this lease and start fresh on a new plan to fix all the things that went wrong under the Monroe Park Conservancy. Additionally, a recent City audit found that $345,000.00 used in the botched “renovation” was billed to the City’s School Building Fund. We ask that City officials work in partnership with the stake holding community to achieve positive changes in the Park.

Thank you,
Todd Woodson, director
Fans of Monroe Park

(Editor’s note: The Sierra Club Falls Of The James has previously called for ending the lease.)