Forest Hill Park Related Ordinances
There were two ordinances introduced last night to city council. Mayor Jones, By Request, has introduced an ordinance to change the use of a portion of Canoe run Park at 2211 Semmes Avenue so that a new fire station can be built on the property replace the current Fire Station 17 in Swansboro. The ordinance is scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission on February 16 at 1:30 pm, and by the Land Use Committee of Council on February 16 at 4 pm, at City Hall for both.
On motion of Mrs. Graziano, introduced an ordinance has been introduced to name the proposed pedestrian bridge at Forest Hill Park in honor of the Harvey family, and to permit the installation of a memorial marker on the site. The ordinance will be heard at Land Use on February 16 at 4 pm at City hall. If you want to see this happen please send letters of support to the city council. The Friends of Forest Hill Park has previously written in support.
Regarding the ordinance proposed last night at City Council and brought before the City of Richmond Planning Commission and the Land Use Commission….does anyone at City Hall believe in keeping parks and green spaces open and alive for its residents to enjoy? Have they ever heard of living a sustainable life? I just wonder what the residents of the adjoining Westover Hills think about this. I do live south of the James in the City of Richmond.
I was at the Landu Use Committee meeting for another matter. The proposed Fire Station location was recommended by the Planning Commission 7-1, and by the Land Use Committee unanimously. There were no speakers in opposition to the proposal. For the record, I would remind Ms. Brooks that within the last year a conservation easement was placed on James River Park protecting it from development forever, and the Department of Parks completed a substantial rehabilitation project for Forest Hill Park. In addition, the department is developing an extensive trails system inside and outside the park boundaries, and is being recoginzed nationally for that effort. In exchange for the use of the piece of Canoe Run park, a transfer approved by the city master plan, the grant will pay for substantial upgrade of facilities at Canoe Run.
I live near Canoe Run Park and can say that I’m looking forward to having the new fire station there for a couple of different reasons.
Firstly, I think that having the station there will improve overall response times in the neighborhood.
Secondly, Canoe Run Park is currently underused, mainly because of the fact that it had been overlooked for many years.
The exercise circuit that had been built 20+ years ago had decayed and literally rotted away, and only recently have we seen new equipment installed. There are virtually no trees along much of the trail, which means there is little or no shade: it is brutally hot in summer and windy in winter. Not conducive to varied use.
So, with added attention will come improvements. Please keep in mind that this land had long been an eyesore, having been a dump for generations.