Richmond City Councilman, Doug Conner, South Central 9th District, will be featured in an upcoming episode of the Commonwealth Public Broadcasting TV Program, Virginia Currents. The program segment will focus on the Virginia Capital Regional Greenways Group’s Richmond Rails to Trails project to convert a former CSX Railroad rail bed into a walkable urban trail.
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 www.council.richmondva.gov
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Councilman Doug Conner to be featured in PBS TV Program, Virginia Currents
During segment documenting Richmond Rails to Trails project
WHAT Richmond City Councilman, Doug Conner, South Central 9th District, will be featured in an upcoming episode of the Commonwealth Public Broadcasting TV Program, Virginia Currents. The program segment will focus on the Virginia Capital Regional Greenways Group’s Richmond Rails to Trails project to convert a former CSX Railroad rail bed into a walkable urban trail.
Plans for the 2.5 mile stretch of land that previously served as a railroad transportation corridor, running between Belt Boulevard and Hopkins Road in Richmond, are to establish a scenic greenway path that would serve to further beautify, healthify and connect the surrounding community. A natural fit for reclamation use as public trails, the surface structure used to create rail beds include gentle ground elevation grades that can accommodate a wide-range of individual and group recreation, transportation, and exercise activities.
Richmond City Council is recognized as the first local governing body in the immediate area to pledge support for greenways and trails initiatives, which was formalized in 2008 with a Council Resolution (R 2008-R118-119) pledging support for the development of a network of trails and greenways in and around Richmond.
Part of a national movement of converting old rail line into usable public greenspaces, urban parks strengthen our community by increasing the quality of our neighborhoods and the economic vitality of our city. These natural areas also produce financial rewards by reducing stormwater runoff, cleaning the air, and providing destination attractions for visitors to the city. It is anticipated that, once completed, the Richmond Trail will provide an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities and can be used for hiking, walking, mountain biking, running and in-line skating.
A public-private partnership of government and non-government organizations, the Virginia Capital Regional Greenways Group envisions the trail to be linked to the United States of America East Coast Greenway, which is being built in sections from Main to Florida, and to the Virginia Capital Trail, which would link Richmond to Williamsburg and Jamestown.
Members of the Virginia Capital Regional Greenways Group include (but are not limited to) Richmond City Council, Virginia Bicycling Federation, Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, Virginia Capital Region Land Conservancy, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, City of Richmond, Virginia Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects, Back Porch Energy Initiative, Goochland County, Virginia Commonwealth University, Chesterfield County, United States National Park Service, Richmond SportsBackers, BikeWalk Virginia, Virginia Sierra Club, Friends of Chesterfield's Riverfront, Virginia Partnership for Smart Growth, and Capital Region Land Conservancy.
Virginia Currents is a public television program that is produced by and airs on Commonwealth Public Broadcasting stations. A Richmond-based nonprofit organization, Commonwealth Public Broadcasting stations include PBS WCVE-TV PBS Richmond, WCVW-TV PBS, WCVW-TV PBS, WHTJ-TV Charlottesville and public radio station WCVE-FM 88.9 Public Radio.
Virginia Currents, hosted and produced by May-Lilly Lee, is seen throughout Central Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.
WHEN Initial broadcast: Thursday, 13 May 2010; 8:00 p.m-8:30 p.m.
Replays Saturday, 15 May 2010; 5:30-6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 16 May 2010; 12:30-1:00 p.m.
WHERE Channel 23 - WCVE-TV PBS Richmond
Channel 41 - WHTJ-TV PBS Charlottesville
WHO The Honorable Doug Conner, Councilman, Richmond City Council, South Central 9th District
CONTACT For more information, please contact Councilman Doug Conner, at 804.233.8288, or email doug.conner@richmondgov.com, or via website, at www.southsiderichmond.org or
Commonwealth Public Broadcasting, at 804.320.8729
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Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
Office of the Chief of Staff
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
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MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.
VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.
