Right Around the River Blog
Monthly Walk From Rocketts Landing Raises Riverfront Support
Post Date: 08-01-2012
There's no doubt that the James River is Richmond's backbone. Heck, we've built our whole Rocketts Landing community around this great natural landmark (and love every minute here!). So, when we heard about a Richmonder organizing monthly walks to raise awareness and support for improved river access and use, we knew we had to learn more!
Photo courtesy of Paul Keefer
Paul Keefer is a retiree and outdoors enthusiast who cycles, walks and gets outside whenever he can. He's also become somewhat of a grassroots activist, and his story goes like this: In 2000, Paul and his family returned to Richmond after living in Switzerland for five years. After a friend took him down to the river to see recent developments, he was delighted but not impressed with the progress — and saddened that there weren’t more people leisurely strolling along the riverfront.
“Living abroad, you see so many Europeans making regular visits to their lakes and rivers,” Paul explains. “But they don’t just make a quick visit. They linger. Meaningful time to rejuvenate and refresh in a natural setting was a big part of their daily lifestyle. It exists here to some extent, but not nearly what it should be.”
Photo courtesy of Paul Keefer
After over a decade of hearing about many riverfront improvements planned for Richmond (and seeing them postponed or not move forward as quickly as they could), Paul had enough — and on March 18, he organized his first monthly walk, dubbed “R2S2B” (Rocketts to Shiplock [Park] to Belle Isle). The goal? Inspire Richmonders to embrace improved riverfront access and timely completion of the Virginia Capital Trail, and unify their voices in a community walk.
The walks are intended to be leisurely, with more focus on enjoying the outdoors than breaking a sweat. And while you walk, Paul updates you with recent city developments on river improvements and Virginia Capital Trail progress.
If you’d like to join the monthly walking excursions, Paul says all are invited! His next outing is on August 19, at 5:00 p.m., and everyone meets at the Rocketts Landing riverfront underneath The Boathouse. To learn more, you can contact Paul at 804.902.2302 or email him today. The more, the merrier!