A Natural Proposal for One of Richmond's Most Unusual & Historic Land Areas

This effort faithfully maintains existing properties, with each retaining its current identity and features.  Connecting the areas into a consolidated urban greenway will allow for greater public access and will make possible a wider variety of recreational and cultural uses.

The plan also calls for connecting trails among residential areas bordering the park system.  The trail system will accommodate cycling, jogging and walking, horseback riding, and, in some areas, rollerblading.

Area Rich in History.  The proposed park system encompasses areas that are rich in local and national historical significance:

• Bloody Run, site of an Indian battle in 1656
• Chimborazo Park, site of the world's largest hospital during the U.S. Civil WAr
• Rockets, the original boat landing and shipping site for the Richmond area
• The Hebrew Cemetery at Montrose Park
• Powhatan Hill Park, summer campsite for Chief Powhatan and probable location of his famous meeting with Capt. John Smith

Connecting the Park Areas.  Anchoring the new park system is Gillies Creek Park, a large tract bounded on the east by Government Rd. (becomes Broad St.) and on the west by Williamsburg Ave. (Becomes Main St.), with the neighborhoods of Church Hill and Fulton Hill lying to the north and south, respectively.

Plans call for a connector along Williamsburg Ave. to join Powhatan Hill Park to the central area at Gillies Creek Park.  A pedestrian overpass built on the old CSX railroad bridge supports will connect Chimborazo Park to a new park area west of Williamsburg Ave.  The abandoned rail bed will become a trail/path around the lower perimeter of Chimborazo Park and give access to the southeast end of the old collapsed rail tunnel.

Another overpass, where Chimborazo and Gillies Creek parks join at Government R., will provide access to the large landfill area to the northeast.  Closed and capped for many years, the landfill will become more park-like with steps taken to limit further erosion of the cap.  A connector will join that area to Montrose Park.

You can Help.  The story of Gillies Creek Pak began with just a few people asking how they could help improve the area.  Today's disc-golf course, BMX bicycle racetrack, horseshoe pits, and trails resulted from their work.

The Gillies Cree Park Foundation invites you, your business, or your community group to join our efforts by helping to plan and fund the creation and maintenance of the park system.  Some projects need major capital support; others need two willing hands.  We need your help to accomplish all these tasks in a timely fashion.

Please become a member today, so that we may all have a hand in putting the Gillies Creek Park System on the map - where it belongs.  Contact:

Gillies Creek Park Foundation
5102 Montebello Circle
Richmond, VA 23231

Some of the Proposed Features of the Gillies Creek Park System

Horse Stables.  New stables are planned for an area adjacent to the old landfill.  These would be the primary stables for the Richmond Mounted Patrol and provide a ready means for mounted policing within the park system.  Civilian boarding/lease facilities are also planned.

Outdoor Entertainment Areas.  A plateau area in Gillies Creek Park still exists in its natural state.  It is planned that this area be improved with natural, landscaped surroundings.

Disc Golf Course.  Adjacent to Williamsburg Avenue, and 18-hole disc golf course with a winding nature trail (completer).  The course is low-maintenance and free for all to use.

Horseshoe Pit Area.  12 lighted horseshoe pits with certified dimensions for regular and regulation tournament play (completed).  These are the only horseshoe pits within the city's park system.

Little League Field.  The Gillies Creek Park ballfield is to be upgraded and dedicated as a little league field for children under 12.  While there are many such fields in the surrounding counties, there are none in the city's park sysytem and none available to the children in Church Hill and Fulton Hill.

Soccer Fields.  Dedicated soccer and football fields are planned.  Most soccer fields are also used as softball fields.  By dedicating the soccer field, there is no seasonal limitation caused by competing sport demands on the same area.

Outdoor Art Exhibition Area.  The area adjacent to Stoney Run Parkway is an unimproved roadbed extending about 1 mile through the Gillies Creek Park System.  Along this parkway and backing up to the creek, artists would be encouraged to set up displays similar the "Arts in the Park" for use year-round, maintained by exhibitors

Boat Landing.  The boat landing at Ash Street on the James River is scheduled for repair.  A canoe landing is proposed, with portable structures to eliminate damage from occasional flooding.