Richmond Magazine.com has a lengthy profile of City Council President Kathy Graziano. The profile takes a look at both her supporters and detractors. Overall though the article seems to fall into the positive category.

Then in 2008 Graziano used her discretionary fund to launch what is now the South of the James Market, according to Karen Atkinson, who manages the operation. Since then, it has become highly successful, arguably the most popular outdoor market in the city.

Graziano and Hathcock worked with the Parks and Recreation Department to restore the silt- and vegetation-clogged lake in Forest Hill Park. After four years of negotiating, they also managed to get a conservation easement for the James River Park System approved. In 2009, state and city officials agreed to forever preserve 288 acres of the park in its natural state.

If it’s Tuesday, it must be Forest Hill Lake, with clean water and planting taking and blooming.

Editor’s note; David Hathcock sent these in yesterday and with the cloudy day today, didn’t feel like waiting until next Tuesday.

Have you heard about the lake renovations at Forest Hill Park, and wanted to visit?

You haven’t been because the walk up and down to the lake is just too long and steep.

On July 18th, there will be a unique, one time opportunity to ride down to the lake in a golf cart, visit the gazebo and see information about the restoration project. There will a shuttle running, and riders can either stay aboard the golf cart for a circuit around the lake or get off at the gazebo and catch a later shuttle.

The shuttle is part of Sunday in the Park with Friends, an annual event sponsored by City Council President Kathy Graziano and the Friends of Forest Hill Park. The event starts at noon and runs through 4 pm. There will be food, children’s games and activities, environmental displays, and music. All activities are free including the shuttle rides, and all the neighborhoods around the park are invited.

For additional information: David Hathcock 320-2454 or Dena Fultz 301-8303

On July 18th, the park will explode with balloons, bubbles, bounces, bands and bikes. The Sixth annual Sunday in the Park returns to the spirit of the former use as an amusement park and trolley designation. There will be fun and games for kids and adults. There’s face painting, clowns, an inflated carousel bounce, sack races, carnival games and a corn pool.

For adults there will be a number of displays with an environmental or conservation theme, and Richmond Police, fire and Sheriff’s Departments will be on display.
Full press release

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Nothing earthshaking and certainly nothing we don’t already know from Style Weekly but it is nice to see some press.

Change has also taken place across the river at Forest Hill Park. The weekly farmers’ market is drawing crowds here, but there are quieter pleasures, too.

The newer of the two parks, Forest Hill became city property in 1933 after having served for more than 40 years as a privately owned amusement park at the terminus of a major street car line. Before that, it had been farmland and a country estate, Boscobel, which means “beautiful woods” in Italian.

Photos and a little info on the winners of the people’s choice for best decorated. Thanks to Diane Pendelton for the info and photos. Congrats on the victory and the fine work.

Cindi Mashburn, Robin Ruth, Suzette Lyon, Bill Shanabruch pictured – Jack Mason also contributed. Bugs were made with cardboard, paper mache’, wire, pipe cleaners, paint, etc. A true shared enterprise and work of art.

More than 250 people gathered at Forest Hill Lake Saturday, May 22nd to celebrate to re-dedication of Forest Hill Lake and the first annual Forest Hill Lake Regatta.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Council President Kathy Graziano both spoke of the efforts of the neighborhood associations and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities is working to rebuild a facility damaged by 30 years of neglect and two major tropical storms. Last year DPRCF invested more than $1.4 million in renovating and restoring the lake, replanting trees, shrubs and cover material and restocking the lake with fish.

Woodland Heights swept the regatta events with a neighborhood team winning the Boscobel Cup just ahead of the Forest Hills team. Westover Hills boaters were handicapped by an unfortunate propensity to sink. Reedy Creek Coalition Comeback Kayak won the people’s choice award for decorated boat.

Thanks to David Hathcock for the photos and text above. For full copies of the remarks by City Council President Kathy Graziano and Grace LeRose President of Westover Hills Neighborhood Association and a slideshow from RTD story and slide show.

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Submitted by Todd Ranson;

Yes Folks it is true!! Woodland Heights has bragging rights over Westover and Forest Hills for a full year til we win the Regatta next year.

The beautiful Boscobel Cup (named after the old dairy that used to occupy the park lands) was won by me and my VALIANT crew of Jack, Rebecca, and Mykail (an exchange student from the Ukraine.) We beat out teams from Westover and Forest Hills, some of whom resorted to very nefarious and dubious ways of trying to win, but to no avail!!!

We nearly smoked them, even crossing the finish line backwards! SO when you see friends from those neighborhoods, please make every effort to gloat about the superiority of Woodland Heights’ nautical navigation and watercraft skills!!!

BTW the Boscobel Cup was made by the fine folks at 43rd St Gallery and really is a wonderful and handsome piece of pottery. My team could be seen drinking copious amounts of adult beverages from it later last eve. The Cup is now safely ensconced in our silver cabinet at home. (Note to burglars: we have no silver.)

The Regatta itself was a smashing success and VERY fun. Thanks to all who helped and the ingenious idea of the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association for dreaming it up.

I have some links to pictures and waiting for one more batch but will have some photos up later today. Thanks for the post Todd. On the next page we have some film from the event submitted by tvnewsbadge. The video starts with the market but then moves on to the Regatta.

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The weather forecast for Saturday is looking better all the time, and you should be making your plans to attend the dedication of the Forest Hill Park Lake and the First Annual Forest Hill Yacht Club Regatta.

Paddlers are urged to pre-register, but if you’re a “last minute” entrant you can register on Saturday before the event (please do so by 12pm to avoid a last-minute crunch.)

Registrants will be permitted to drive their boats to the lake via the 42nd Street (picnic shelter) entrance starting at noon. Volunteers will help you unload your boat and keep it secure. Be sure to register and have your boat in place prior to the arrival of the crowd at 2pm. (The dedication ceremony begins at 2:30.)

Feel free to call or email Robley Jones if you have questions or need additional information:
(H) 233-3748, (W) 775-8329, RobleyJ@aol.com

Details are at: http://www.foresthillneighborhood.com/events/yachtclubregatta.html

All proceeds from this event go to the beautification of Forest Hill Park… a great time for a great cause… hope to see you there!

We need about 10-12 volunteers to help out at the Forest Hill Regatta on the afternoon of May 22nd. Duties could include directing paddlers to the start, taking registrations, etc. This will be a fun event, a great opportunity to meet new neighbors and old friends alike. Please contact Rob Jones if you can help: robleyj@verizon.net

A small crowd of 40 or so gathered with folks from Parks and Rec to release fish into Forest Hill Lake Saturday, April 24. J.R. Pope, head of P&R, said a few words and then turned the presentation to Carl (whose last name I didn’t catch). Eager young children learned about cool sciency stuff like the natural food chain and how these fish, as they grow, will encourage other animals like the blue herons and king fishers to come to the lake.

Three kinds of fish were released including big large mouth bass. The two smaller kinds of fish were destined to eventually feed the bass. The kids were then able to take squirming handfuls of silvery fish and put them in the lake. I do hope some of the fish survived the trauma of such eager environmentalists. Catch and release fishing will be allowed at the lake. UPDATED to add: No fishing license is required if you are aged 16 or below or over 65. A fishing license required for all other adults. Catch and release is the FHP/Park & Rec Dept standard that everyone regardless of age will be held to. The state game wardens will enforce periodically.

See the full set (or add your own!) in the hillsandheights flickr group.

Families are invited to join Richmond ’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities on Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to noon, to help restock the newly restored lake in Forest Hill Park with native fish.

Fish in the lake had to be caught and moved to the James River before work on restoring the lake could begin. Now that the city has completed restoration of the lake, the consulting engineers on the project, Whitman, Requardt and Associates, donated $1,000 for large mouth bass, blue gill sunfish and red-eared sunfish that will be released into the lake.

Following brief remarks from J.R. Pope, the department director, children can assist the James River Park staff by releasing fish into the lake while learning about the ecosystems unique to lakes and ponds and the rolls fish play in this system.

Information was provided by the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities.

Friends of Forest Hill Park are now in the process of getting a bronze and stone marker made that will dedicate the new pedestrian bridge at Forest Hill Park to the Harvey Family, and to rededicate the park to families throughout Richmond. This marker will be unveiled during the lake re-dedication event on Saturday, May 22, 2010. Many friends and neighbors have asked how they can make a donation to honor this family. The Friends of Forest Hill Park are accepting donations to help with the cost of the plaque and marker. Donations may be made to The Friends of Forest Hill Park, P.O. Box 13161, Richmond, VA 23225. Please indicate this is for the Harvey Memorial. This organization is a 501c3 nonprofit, nonstock corporation so your donation is tax deductible.

You faithful readers of Hills and Heights probably already know about the Forest Hill Yacht Club and its planned regatta to rededicate the newly renovated lake, but the Richmond Times-Dispatch is covering it too! and they include a few more details.

The regatta will set sail after the [Rededication] ceremony, culminating in a friendly neighborhood competition that will feature six people to a boat with no paddles. The winning team will receive the Boscobel Cup, created by Robin Cage, of 43rd Street Gallery, and named for the 19th-century plantation that created the lake as a quarry pond.

From Friends of Forest Hill Park Facebook page;

Update on park improvements: Nathan has opened the eastern bike trails and is working feverishly to complete the western side for opening in mid-April (volunteer crews will be out again this weekend to work on the trails and new bike bridge); all the new lights have gone in around the lake and last night were illuminated for the first time; and work has begun on the pedestrian bridge over Reedy Creek.

An unremarkable photograph about a remarkable event. The gazebo, at Forest Hill Lake, last night. The lights are back on, for the first time in many years.

Looking Northeast

The Forest Hill Regatta will be a celebration of our revitalized lake in Forest Hill Park.  There will be remarks by local politicians including; City Council President Kathy Graziano, Mayor Dwight C. Jones, and Director of Parks & Recreation J. R. Pope and then the dedication of Harvey Family Memorial Bridge. After that the all activity will be focused on the lake. A variety of races will stun and amaze whether it will be the dog swim, the RC boats or the battle royale of neighborhood associations. The events start at 2 p.m. and wrap up around 4:30 p.m. I am sure that more than a few might bring a picnic and stay a bit longer. As always these great events can’t take place without volunteers and if you would like to help out please email Robley Jones. We will post another announcement or two leading up to the big day.

Full Schedule of Events
If you want to participate in the regatta go here for the entry form.

This is Paula's jump. Head to the website to read why and to see many other jumps and add your own.

Jump. Because. is a website that shows people jumping. Why? Just because or as the website says;

We have found that jumping leads to laughter…

It is our hope that with this project, the jumping will be passed on and that others will feel the joy of the jump. We want to share your jumping pictures and hear your jumping stories.

What is a jumping story? It’s your “I jump because…” statement: the inspiration for your jump.

City Council voted 9-0 last night to name the soon-to-be-built bridge at Forest Hill Park Lake after the Harvey Family who were murdered January 1, 2006. In a separate matter they also approved the use of property at Canoe Run to be used for new fire house. via RTD

This fine logo was created by yours truly in about 10 minutes.

What Yacht Club?
Forest Hill Neighborhood Association (FHNA) has invented the Forest Hill Yacht Club to celebrate the lake renovations in Forest Hill Park, which are expected to be completed later this spring. This “imaginary” organization was founded to raise awareness of Forest Hill neighbor­hood and the park, to foster a sense of community across all South Bank neighborhoods, to raise funds for native plantings in Forest Hill Park, to encourage wholesome activities in the park, and for just plain fun!

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I would think it was obvious but received a press release from the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities warning folks to stay of the local lakes including Forest Hill Park Lake. Signs are going up around the three lakes at Byrd Park, the Azalea Garden Pond and Young’s Pond at Bryan Park, and the lake at Forest Hill Park. My faith in people’s stupidity leads me to believe that we will read or see on the news someone falling in shortly. Hopefully it won’t be a tragic mistake the victim makes, only a wet one.
Read the press release.

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This wonderful photo was taken by Phil Riggan. This and others showing off the icy wonder of Forest Hill Park are posted on his blog RichmondOnTheJames be sure to check out the other photos. Great stuff thanks for sharing Phil.

Thanks also to John M. of CHPN for pointing them out to me.

As head of the Richmond park system, J.R. Pope has been overseeing the revitalization of Forest Hill Park Lake. If you’ve ever gotten a chance to hear the excitement in his voice when he’s talking about our parks, you know that he’s in it for the right reasons. He was profiled in RTD today:

He has a big imagination. He sees the eventual restoration of the historic Pump House as a visitors interpretative center and community venue. He can envision a reflecting pond in front of the Carillon, where one was planned but never built decades ago. He wants to restore two silted ponds in Bryan Park.

David Hathcock headed down to the lake and has these thoughts and photos for us. Thanks David.

Just another perfect day at the lake. The cooler air pulls mist up to wrap around the trees, draped in autumn. The colors portend the dying of the light for the year, and the natural inhabitants of the lake (humans and dogs) are enjoying the last great days before winter. Work continues as crews thin the underbrush, and pile the dead and dying vegetation to make room for the new plantings.

The headline from RTD says it all, “Forest Hill lake project finished under budget, early”. Much of this is not news to our faithful readers but nice to read.

Richmond finished the $1.7 million project with about $145,000 left in the bank, though some work remains to be done. New benches will be installed around the three-acre lake, along with new decorative lights. Views from the hill over the lake will be cleared and a footbridge installed over Reedy Creek to replace one that washed away five years ago. All of those improvements already are budgeted.

Debra McClane let me know that the new lamps should be going up in 3-4 weeks. Benches should follow. Repaving of the roadways is going to happen but no firm timeline is set. The bridge that was discussed here and here is in procurement so no timeline on that either but the wheels are moving so that is a good sign.

I am going to wrap this up with the following bits from the aritcle.

City officials plan to celebrate the lake’s restoration in the spring, but that doesn’t mean local residents have to wait to enjoy a treasure that many didn’t know they had.

“A whole generation has come up that didn’t know a lake was down there,” said Jonet Prevost-White, an engineer in the Richmond Department of Community Development. “They should know not only that a lake is down there, but how pretty it is.”