Pot-bellied pig plays cat and mouse at Reedy Creek

James River Park manager Ralph White shared a story that would have to be true about a pig-catching in the Reedy Creek parking lot Saturday, just 24 hours after April Fools’ Day:

Ralph White: Meadows ‘rare natural areas in urban settings’

A dozen volunteers from HandsOn Greater Richmond did something Saturday that might help bring more butterflies to the James River Park — they planted wildflowers in two meadows at Reedy Creek near the visitor center and along Riverside Drive.

Reedy Creek Meadow is getting a wildflower makeover

The Reedy Creek Meadow is getting a wildflower makeover. Nathan Burrell, trails manager for James River Park will be leading a group of HandsOn Greater Richmond volunteers — including many children — Saturday morning to plant plenty of new seeds!

Help the James by sprucing up Crooked Branch for spring

"Remarkable Tree" credit: Robin C. Ruth

Do you like to see huge trees? The Northrop Oak is a huge old White Oak tree located in Crooked Branch Ravine Park in Southside and has been nominated as a “remarkable tree.” It is on what was formerly the Northrop Estate just south of the James River along Reedy Creek.

DEQ Water Quality report: James still impaired in Richmond

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality released the final version of the 2010 Water Quality Report, the so-called “dirty waters list” of Virginia streams, rivers, lakes, and bays found to be polluted. According to a release from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Plumbing work at Reedy Creek parking entrance

If you have visited the James River Park at Reedy Creek or peddled on the Buttermilk Trail recently, you may have noticed construction at the entrance to the parking lot at Riverside Drive. That is part of a $6,500 plumbing project.

A four-foot backflow valve is being installed, the final part of the renovation of the James River Park visitor center. Once this project is complete, the center should be able to reopened.

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.