James River, biking, Cannon Creek still in mayor’s list of priorities

On Wednesday, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones presented his capital-improvements program was presented to the City Planning Commission. Despite a tightened budget, some very interesting outdoors-related items remain on tap, as reported by Will Jones of the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

City Council unanimously approves Mayor’s “complete streets” plan

On Monday, Richmond City Council unanimously approved the November 2010 report issued from Mayor Dwight Jones’s,  Pedestrian, Bicycling and Trails Commission recommending changes to make the city a more bike and pedestrian friendly city. The Commission was composed of  city staff, business leaders, educators and interested citizens from the area.

Richmond Parks & Recreation audit shows more trouble

Richmond City Auditor Umesh Dalal released a 24-page report covering Richmond’s entire Department of Parks, Recreations and Community Facilities. CBS6 covered this story yesterday, and while the James River Park was not included in their story, the parks department is still under fire since an incident in mid-November 2010 led to the resignation of the popular former parks director J.R. Pope and the installation of Dr. Carolyn Graham as director.

Greenways depending on rails-to-trails & Crooked connections

The Crooked Branch Ravine is a little-known park tucked away in the Northrup neighborhood near Woodland Heights. The main entrance to the park is at the dirt and gravel cul-de-sac of Northup Street off West Roanoke Street. There are hiking trails through the heavily wooded and natural park and there are areas of the creek perfect for playing.

Mayor Jones includes biking, green spaces in State of City

Here are the outdoor-specific details from Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones’ State of the City delivered Thursday night at the Hippodrome in Jackson Ward: