Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
By Heather Barrar
The Lower Appomattox River offers an experience like no other through unparalleled natural beauty and the relaxed convenience of nearby small-town hospitality.
Offering both whitewater and tidal flatwater for paddlers, unspoiled riverbanks for fishing and birding, and the experience of an explorer while walking and discovering the historic remains of the early industrial era, this river offers a little bit of something for everyone. There are so many special treasures to uncover along the 20 miles of the scenic portion of the Appomattox River, starting at the dam of Lake Chesdin and flowing to the confluence with the James River.
The original designation for this section was approved in the 1970s and extended twice in the 2000s to reach the mouth of the James River.
As with all protected landscapes, people are central to the story. In the Tri-Cities region of Central Virginia, Richard Taylor and Wayne Walton are the determined, unwavering characters in this story who in the late 1990s began their mission to protect the river, make park improvements and extend the state scenic river designation. Their volunteer grassroots efforts to form the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River, or FOLAR, have grown into a professional trail master plan for the entire Tri-Cities region.
The Appomattox River Trail, when completed, will be a 25-mile greenway and blueway system connecting the six localities of the Tri-Cities region — the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie and Prince George, and the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Petersburg — that will bring increased access to the river and serve as a safe alternative transportation system for those who walk, bike or use a wheelchair.
This access will also provide opportunities for daily activity that will improve the physical and mental health of residents and visitors. In turn, the creation of the Appomattox River Trail will enhance economic growth and outdoor education and stewardship opportunities, as well as protect the river as a source for drinking water.
Every community along the Appomattox River is increasing trail and river access, each with dedicated visitors with their own stories, for example the lifelong resident of Hopewell whose doctor prescribed walking as therapy to help her in her recovery from a car accident. I met her walking the Riverwalk in Hopewell, a section of boardwalk that opened a year ago and already sees thousands of visitors each month. The flat boardwalk with built-in benches not only provided a safe place for her recovery, but also a beautiful and peaceful place to watch birds and wildlife along the river.
As I walked along the boardwalk and through City Park where children were enjoying the nature inspired playground, I reflected on the fact that just a few years ago, no one could even see the river, let alone walk alongside it. The area was forgotten, neglected and unsafe, walled-in by kudzu vines and blanketed in trash. Richard and Wayne had the vision, and, just as importantly, they had the passion and grit to put in the on-the-ground work necessary to build support and partnerships in city council chambers, business meeting rooms, and with many diverse stakeholders, to make the transformation a reality.
Their work and story have inspired many others through the years and those people and their stories. Working together is what it takes to make our scenic rivers and the public spaces along them a reality for communities now and for generations to come.
Heather Barrar is the Regional Trails Program Director for Friends of the Lower Appomattox River. FOLAR Executive Director Wendy Austin contributed to this article.
