Department issues new rules for river access
A new process for using river launch sites within the James River Park System has been adopted by Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.
Effective immediately, all commercial rafting companies must obtain a permit to make a reservation to use James River Park System’s launch sites by calling the department’s permits and scheduling office at 646-0761 or 646-0036 at least 24 hours in advance. Large groups of 12 or more persons planning a rafting trip should call in advance for a reservation, as the size of the launch sites limits the number of vehicles and amount of equipment that can be accommodated.
The launch sites requiring permits and reservations include: Huguenot Flatwater (just west of the Huguenot Bridge on Riverside Drive); Pony Pasture Rapids (two miles east of the Huguenot Bridge on Riverside Drive); The Wetlands (Landria Drive); Ancarrow’s Landing (Maury Street); and the 14th Street Takeout (northeast of 14th Street at the Mayo Bridge).
The fee for a rafting reservation is $15 per hour for put-in and $15 per hour for take-out. An additional 10 percent is charged to non-residents of the City of Richmond.
“The new permit and scheduling rules allow the department to schedule large groups using the river and to make sure that they are properly equipped, insured and following safe procedures,” said J.R. Pope, director of the department. “The fees are nominal and merely help us cover our costs,” he said.
“As we make improvements to the James River Park System, we expect that more people will be using the park. This new process will help us to ensure that the park will not be over utilized at any one time so that it will remain as beautiful and pristine as it is today,” Pope said.
For more details on the new regulations, visit the department’s Website at www.RichmondGov.com/parks.
