Friends of Chesterfields Riverfront Logo

Lead, partner and unify the community for the Appomattox and James Rivers

 

Oak Lake Greenway

Oak Lake Business Park Riparian Greenway

A partnership with Richmond Indoor Sports Experience, Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation, Friends of Chesterfield's Riverfront and the Green Infrastructure Group (GIG)

The Richmond Indoor Sports Experience (RISE), owners coordinated the use of the land surrounding the storm water management pond for continuation of the Oak Lake Greenway with adjacent located north of the RISE property.

A meeting was held with Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation and Chesterfield County Planning Department to lay out preliminary concepts for an extended greenway down the streambed.

In May 2005, RISE volunteers completed a 300-foot portion of the trail and moved approximately 100 BayScape plants.  Martin Marietta and Volvo Equipment donated most of the materials for the trail, allowing additional trail to be added in June.  A total of 100 yards of trail have been constructed as a result of this grant award.

In addition, educational signage about the Oak Lake Greenway and the project partners can be seen at the trailhead located directly across from the RISE entrance.

The sustainability of this project is excellent.  With strong project partners located in the Oak Lake Industrial complex and personal relationships between partners and the RISE owners, it is likely that additional miles will be added to the trail in the near future.

This greenways project continues to serve as a model in Chesterfield County showing the community how a business owner can work cooperatively with Chesterfield County and a non-profit to create a public/private green infrastructure facility that maintains and enhances water quality and promotes public education about green infrastructure.

Download the Oak Lake Greenway sign PDF