From yesterday evening:
Climbing The ‘Look
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Category Archives: parks
Escape From Belle Island
G.O.R.P. has a nice post about their Escape From Belle Island Adventure–
Excerpt:
“A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood. If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing antidote against the boredom and disenchantments of later years, the sterile preoccupation with things that are artificial, the alienation from the sources of our strength.” – Rachel Carson, The Sense of Wonder
I’m not sure what Rachel Carson’s fairy would make of Escape from Belle Isle, but I doubt her assessment would include the words “beautiful” or “awe-inspiring.” There was some excitement though, and some wonder, if only that of a few parents wondering if any of the children would, in their excitement, run straight off the edge of a cliff.
Nine families braved the beer bottles and cold breezes that greeted us Sunday on the north bank of the James River. I was, as has been my custom over these last few miserable weeks, dressed in about fifteen layers of fleece and polypropylene, with extra layers in my backpack just in case; but despite these precautions I was eager, like everyone else, to get moving down off Oregon Hill when the wind picked up and the sun disappeared behind the clouds.
Really Really Free Market/Spaghetti Dinner with Bread and Circus Saturday
This Saturday from noon to 3 pm in Monroe Park is the Really Really Free Market.
The RVA Really Really Free Markets provide people with a chance to share the excess that they possess, to prevent the landfills from filling with stuff that will never decompose and is nowhere near the end of its usefulness, and to offer the community a chance to come together for a day of free fun in the sun!
There are a wide variety of things that can be shared. There have been workshops led by community members and musical performances. Community members have brought games to play with each other at the market. Vegan cookies have also been known to make an appearance.
So the last Saturday of every month, dig through your closets, take the extra from your work, ask your parents and friends and neighbors to come to bring stuff and come to get stuff. Bring clothes, furniture, food, tapes, cds, office supplies, kitchen stuff, knick knacks & paddy whacks! Bring your music, your skills, your stuff, your food, and your friends and family, and help us prove that there is enough stuff in the world for everybody!
***PLEASE bring any and all warm weather clothing that you’re not using this year! We especially have a need for X-Large and up sizes!!***
And, Saturday evening…
All the Saints Theater Company, the folks who organize Oregon Hill’s Halloween Parade, are holding a spaghetti dinner at a Westover Hills church. Special guests are the famous Bread and Puppet Theater from Vermont, on tour to celebrate their 50th anniversary. They will be performing the Circus of the Possiblitarians:
The Circus of the Possibilitarians is a satirical horse and butterfly circus, addressing pertinent national and international issues in a clownish fashion, including rotten ideas, a wild dancing horse and some mellow lions, a solemn salute to the world’s casualties and much more! The Dire Circumstance Jubilation Ensemble provides a little bit of brass and a lot of noise. Please take note that if some of the circus acts are politically puzzling to adults, accompanying children can usually explain them.
Dinner starts at 7, show at 8. More details on the FaceBook event page.
Also, don’t forget the Main Street Library’s Knitting Sale Extravaganza on Saturday.
Smart Phone Tours of Belle Island
The Friends of James River Park announces summer launch of Smart Phone tours of Belle Isle:
This summer you will be able to listen to a narrated walking tour of Belle Isle. The project is currently in its Beta-testing phase. When complete, 2 geologic tours along the shores of Belle Isle and 1 vegetation guide for the rock pools will be available. The app will include 3 modules for differing populations, the general public, high school, and middle school. Simply download the app, follow the signs, and enjoy the narrated tour this summer.
Stop the Drop!
From the PUP Club FaceBook page:
The Stop the Drop campaign starts this month! Look for our posters in parks and at local pet-related businesses. Thanks to local artist Becky Boncal for the great artwork!
Jogging Video
From Virginia Canals and Navigations Society:
a nice video online of someone jogging from downtown Richmond up to Maymont Park (and back). The video is a little choppy but it’s worth taking a look at. Enjoy.
Birmingham developer offers plan to buy Belle Isle for $1 billion
Ok, its Belle Island in Michigan, but I made you look ;)
Keep Your Butt Out Of The James!
James River Park History
I have uncovered some of the what-ifs, but thanks to Phil Riggan for this “History of Splashy Plans for James River Parks” on Richmond.com.
Excerpt:
According to the RTD archives, there were proposals to have “water-related leisure development” on Belle Isle — Richmond’s downtown gem on the James — including an visitor’s center, ice skating rink, waterfront auditorium and a conference center. People could have gotten to the island by way of a monorail that would have connected to downtown Richmond.
The $6 million in riverfront plans at that time did not cover for the proposed monorail and other buildings on Belle Isle, which would have been paid for through private funding. Monorail screams “Disney,” right? We would have been robbed of the pleasure of walking across the Belle Isle pedestrian bridge under the Robert E. Lee Bridge, which opened in 1992. The view of the city skyline from there alone is worth any price and we’re much better off.
Something to think about as more of the area gets paved over.
City Crew Quickly Repairs Pedestrian Bridge
Oregon Hill residents were very pleased and thankful to see that the fire damaged pedestrian bridge has already been repaired by City workers. Thanks to Superintendent of Facilities Management Floyd Everett and his crew for their fine work!
