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Thanks to the success of so many outdoor events, festivals, and races, Richmond has become well-known for its active lifestyle. And while that’s great for residents and visitors, it means resources have to be continually improved to keep pace with the needs of people looking for recreation facilities.
Burrell, who has been with the parks and recreation department for seven years, says, “The previous trail system was only functional for an elite group, a few extreme bikers,  because it was in bad shape. We now have a trail system that can be used by everyone.”
Article updated: 7/29/2010 5:26:02 PM
Forest Hill Park has been a regional destination since its dedication as a park in the mid-1900s. Today, the park boasts a great mix of human and natural history, cultural attractions, and adventure recreation along the ancestral banks of Reedy Creek.

Recently the City of Richmond Parks and Recreation Department, the Friends of the Park,  the community and various volunteer groups helped make improvements to the Stone House and Reedy Creek Lake, and also started a popular Farmers Market.

The only thing left was the single-track trails that were built in 2004 with little understanding of sustainability and future user demand. A renovation project spearheaded by Nathan Burrell, the trails manager for the city, has resulted in the completion of an entirely updated trail system for Forest Hill Park that was just finished in April. This means the trails on the east and west sides of the park now create an environmentally, socially, and managerially sustainable loop.

Burrell, who has been with the parks and recreation department for seven years, says, “The previous trail system was only functional for an elite group, a few extreme bikers,  because it was in bad shape. We now have a trail system that can be used by everyone.”

Thanks to volunteer groups like M.O.R.E. (Mid-Atlantic Off-road Enthusiasts) this dual-direction, multi-use trail system now joins with the other trails in the James River Park system to create 31 miles of connected trails. According to Burrell, the park was able to mitigate erosion and reclaim old, unsustainable trail corridors with native vegetation.

“We’ve seen a marked increase in trail usage already, and the trails now function for a large swath of the athletic community.”

Completion of this ambitious project comes just in time for warm weather and crowds of Richmonders ready to get outside and on the move. With riverside events like the duathlon, XTERRA, and Dominion Riverrock, these trails will no doubt get the use and enjoyment that they were designed for.

Article first appeared in SBQ Issue #14, May/June | 2010
SBQ | SPORTS BACKERS QUARTERLY: ATHLETICS, RECREATION & HEALTHY LIVING
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