James River Park: Richmond's Best Kept Secret

James River Park is one of Richmond’s best kept secrets.

But Extra Attic wants to change that and get the word out!

The park is part of Richmond’s parks and recreation department. It covers about 600 acres and includes mostly riverside land and islands. Sounds like a spectacular place ... and it is.  And all of it, believe it or not, is in downtown Richmond!

The park is divided into 20 sections and many people - locals and visitors alike - don’t even know when they're in the park. However, James River Park personnel are working to get more signs to help with that.

The river is now clean, wildlife is abundant and the scenery is beautiful. When you're there, it feels like you've left Richmond and taken a trip to one the world's most precious natural places!

Check out the map to see just how far the park expands. Most of us have heard of Brown’s Island, Pony Pasture, Tredegar Iron Works and Belle Isle, but did you know about the history of these places? Many historic sites are part of the park. Most notably, Belle Isle was a Union prisoner camp and Washington’s Arch is the only remaining part of a wall that George Washington would have drifted by.

Also part of the park: Trigg Shipyard, where small destroyers and oil tankers were made, and Great Shiplock Park, a dock from the early 20th century tobacco trade.  Both sites are in the east end of the park along with many other places of historical significance.

What makes the park even greater is its connectivity and easy access to every special place.  You can get your exercise as you look at its history because almost all of the sections of the park are connected by walking trails.

In addition to the history, you can also visit the park’s website to see what else the beautiful park has to offer.. Biking, hiking, kayaking, swimming and rock climbing are just a few of your many options. Many of us at Extra Attic have great memories of time spent with our families in James River Park! Go and find out for yourself! You will love it and wonder how this huge and natural park is still such a secret.

Richmond Christmas Mother Fund 2013

Can you believe it- Christmas 2013 is just around the corner! If you have lived in the Richmond area for any length of time, the Richmond Christmas Mother stories, published in the Times Dispatch probably come to mind. Those stories are a reminder that some of our neighbors are going through a season of struggle. Some good news though is that the Christmas Mother Fund offers an easy way to lend a hand.

This tradition has been going on here in Richmond for over 79 years. The official Christmas Mother Fund began in 1935, but that was not the beginning of an organized effort of Richmonders helping their neighbors.

As early as 1924 The Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Good Fellows Club collected toys, food and clothing for families in need. The Richmond News Leader had a similar program. There is a wonderful picture of boxes of donations piled near the street in front of the Richmond Times-Dispatch building in 1932. 

Back then, in addition to the normal gifts, donations could also be a nice family meal, or even adopt a family for a day- maybe taking them to a park and serving up a delicious meal for them.  Some donations were dropped off in front of orphanages or directly at the family’s home.

With all of these donations coming in from the community to these two organizations, an idea originated to combine both operations. In 1935, the two came together and the Christmas Mother Fund became the new enterprise. It remains an extremely generous entity to this day.

There is a heart warming article on the internet from The Richmond Times-Dispatch- December 16, 1933 about Christmas giving in Richmond.

"When Good Fellows 'Give' Together"

There's No Chance for Empty-Stocking Tragedies 

On Christmas Morn to Blight the Faith of Childhood

By Patricia Rathbone

The article shares some really tough times for many families following the Great Depression. Many pleas for food and clothing are listed, much like today’s stories. If you want to be influenced to lend a hand this Christmas season, just read some of the Christmas Mother Fund stories in the Times Dispatch.