vol. 273 / ISLAND TIMEExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 273 / ISLAND TIME
Meet this week's guest editor, Andy Thompson—former Richmond Times-Dispatch outdoors columnist, podcast host, and the self-proclaimed mad scientist behind Richmond’s camping and event destination, Sharp’s Island. This one-acre sliver of sandy rebellion in the heart of downtown is Richmond’s only legal camping spot. Part natural playground, part public art experiment, and part living history lab, Sharp’s Island is where granite meets grit, and urban energy meets wild imagination.
“The James River gifts Richmond with a string of accessible islands as it rolls through the city. And should you ever get marooned without a conch shell to communicate, rest assured—you can always call the fire department,” says Andy. “Losing yourself for a day, or more, on an island in the falls of the James is a gift precious few American cities offer.”
In the hopes that you won’t squander that gift, Andy is here this week to offer his guide to his top three island adventures in RVA. Take it away, Andy ...
Williams Island
Stand on Riverside Drive just upstream of the Pony Pasture rapids and look north across the river. What appears to be the north bank of the James is actually the 95-acre Williams Island. Boaters know the island as the place used to portage around the low-head Z-Dam before navigating Pony Pasture. People walking their boats 50 yards make up the vast majority of the traffic Williams Island sees. But it’s massive—at least by Richmond island standards—so big that black bears have been spotted there, bald eagles have nested in its pines, and an albino deer once called it home. If Lord of the Flies were set in Richmond, Williams Island would be on the location short list.
Instead of simply using it as a waystation to points downstream, pack a picnic and give yourself a few hours to explore. Only the south bank offers much in the way of trails, but most of the island is easily bushwhackable. Head to the north bank to see the river channel formed by a different dam at the downstream end of the island. Crisscross the island’s middle in search of archaeological oddities. Then find the old (illegal) campsite at the base of the aforementioned northside dam and watch people play in the Pony Pasture rapids while you polish off lunch.
Vitals:
Put your canoe in at the Huguenot Flatwater boat ramp. Paddle under the Huguenot Bridge and then continue another half-mile or so. You’ll see signs that the Z-Dam is ahead — do NOT approach Z-Dam. Williams is the big island on river left with the portage sign. STAY RIVER LEFT and take out there.
Vauxhall Island
The downtown archipelago of islands surrounding Mayo Island is rich in adventure opportunities, but you should seek out Vauxhall Island because, in addition to solitude and natural beauty, it offers evidence of one of Richmond’s most overlooked historic disasters. Long story very short: on July 2, 1869, a massive barbecue-party-political fundraiser was planned for Kitchen Island, connected to Vauxhall via a chain bridge. As state underwater archaeologist Brendan Burke writes, “fires were lit on the island to cook heaps of food. A band set up and, around noon, started to play. There was a bar with free liquor, a dance, and even a swing for partygoers to enjoy.” All of this on the now mostly ignored islands downtown!
At some point in the festivities, the bridge linking the islands collapsed from the weight of the partygoers. At least 15 people fell into the rushing waters. The history is fascinating, but what makes this island worth the effort to get there is the archaeology: remnants of the Vauxhall Chain Bridge remain protruding from the ground. Read Burke’s history. Add context from Harry Kollatz’s piece in Richmond Magazine. Then embark on a treasure hunt. At worst, you’ll end up surrounded by rushing rapids, amazed at the beauty surrounding you in the heart of the city.
Vitals:
Getting to Vauxhall Island isn’t easy, as the former Pipeline Walkway section of the James River Park is shut down and off-limits. Instead, put a kayak in at the 14th Street Takeout and paddle upstream underneath the Mayo/14th Street Bridge. Vauxhall is the 3-acre island on the left with the train tracks passing across it.
Sharp's Island
Like Williams and Vauxhall, one-acre Sharp’s Island makes you realize Richmonders didn’t always ignore their green jewels in the James. They used them for industry; they partied on them. They even lived on them. The brick ruins of a two-story house built in 1895 remain (and are strewn around) on Sharp’s Island. The house stood for 75 years before human intervention and floods laid it low. Before that, Manchester residents partied on the island; steamships anchored off of it; historic re-enactments took place there; a wife even shot her husband there!
Sharp’s Island is the Janus of Richmond islands: its face is half Piedmont, half Coastal Plain. The upstream half is a granite outcrop. That’s where the old homesite sits. The downstream half is tidal, with sand beaches strung between sycamores and river birches. Sharp’s is a private island, which rankles some. I get it: it’s a strange thing to say you own an island. Ten Richmond families (including mine) own this one. But more than anything, we want to share it. You can find it on Airbnb and Hipcamp, or you can shoot me an email, and I’ll either give you the tour or I’ll give you the OK to check it out yourself. There’s no better place to string a hammock and loll away the day—completely surrounded by, yet somehow insulated from, the urban hubbub.
Vitals:
Sharp’s Island sits upstream of the Mayo Bridge, between the south bank of the river and Mayo Island. You can motor up to it from Ancarrow’s Landing or walk your canoe there from the Floodwall Parking Lot.
Sharp's Island Podcast
The Sharps Island Podcast, produced in partnership with Richmond Grid and Nodderly, is not your typical podcast. It’s the only one recorded on an island in downtown Richmond—and it offers something refreshingly different: real conversations with Richmonders who paddle out, kick off their shoes, and sink into stories with their feet in the sand and the city skyline behind them.
The debut episode features host Andy Thompson and longtime collaborator Matt Perry, owner of Riverside Outfitters. Together, they walk the island’s edge, settle into the Hobbit Hole cabin, and trade stories as osprey soar overhead.
The Sharps Island Podcast asks where Richmond is headed, what we’re holding onto, and what we’re willing to paddle toward. The next episode drops next week.
vol. 272 / CozyExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 272 / COZY
Sit back and get cozy—this week’s guest editor is Jenny Kacani. Jenny is the Volunteer Lead for Keep Virginia Cozy, a Richmond-based nonprofit on a mission to protect wilderness and inspire all Virginians to care for our wild places in the River City and beyond.
Since 2017, the dedicated volunteers at Keep Virginia Cozy have removed over 600 tons of litter from public lands, preserving our natural legacy for current and future generations. Through zero-waste, community-driven efforts, they show that even small actions can lead to meaningful environmental impact.
In addition to keeping Richmond cozy, Jenny is a painter, glass artist (check out Odd Bird for flameworked glass objects), and works in publishing. A Richmond native who has always loved being outdoors, you can most often find Jenny kayaking, hiking, or climbing.
The events Jenny is highlighting this week celebrate what makes Richmond special—a community of people who love to come together to make things, make a difference, and make our city a better place.
Take it away, Jenny...
Reduce, Reuse, Risograph!
This event combines two of my favorite things: art and sustainability. Studio Two Three is offering a Risograph class that teaches you how to reuse materials to make prints. Risograph printing is an approachable medium that invites experimentation and creativity. Best of all, it’s a one-evening class, perfect if your schedule doesn’t allow for longer time commitments! Studio Two Three’s classes are always a wonderful experience—with uber-talented instructors and a warm, welcoming space.
Join Keep Virginia Cozy for our final cleanup before we host the 5th Annual Cozy Ol' Brewgrass Festival We’ll meet at the picnic shelter in Forest Hill Park and pick up litter around the park—including the picnic area, trails, lake, and playground. Stick around afterward for PRIDE on Forest Hill, and come back the next day for the South of the James Farmers Market—which, in my opinion, is the best in town! No sign-up needed. We’ll provide gloves and bags.
Vitals:
June 14, 11 am-12:30 pm / Forest Hill Park / 4021 Forest Hill Avenue
5th Annual Cozy Ol' Brewgrass Festival
The 5th Annual Cozy Ol' Brewgrass Festival will be the biggest and best yet! Join us down by the river to celebrate summer with all your local favorites: food from 1115 Mobile Kitchen, Goatocado, Vegan Action, and ArrozRVA; drinks from Väsen Brewing, HIKE Hopped Seltzer, and Ninja Kombucha; music from Andrew Alli & Josh Small. There will also be a fair for local artists and makers. Best of all, by coming out, you're helping keep our parks, trails, and beloved James River cleaner and cozier for all!
The event is sold out, but ticketholders can find more info here. And if you didn't score a ticket this year, follow along here for details about other events and ways to get involved!
I joined Keep Virginia Cozy to get more involved in the community and give back to the parks where I spend so much of my time. Our community cleanups are always a great experience—we get the friendliest people in attendance, and together we've picked up over one million pounds of trash!
What many people don’t know is that we also offer private community cleanups—a great way for businesses to connect with their local community. They pick the day, and we organize a cleanup for their team. It’s a chance to get out of the office, enjoy some time outdoors, and give back.
We weigh all the trash at the end, and seeing that final number really makes you feel good about what you’ve accomplished. I love leading these events because I get to meet so many new people—and it’s always fantastic when corporate cleanup participants return for our public community cleanups!
vol. 271 / Why RichmondExploring and celebrating the place we all love to call home.
VOL. 271 / WHY RICHMOND
This week, we're honored to welcome Jennifer Wakefield, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Richmond Partnership (GRP), as guest editor. In her role at GRP, Jennifer helps answer the question — Why Richmond?
At the helm of the region’s lead economic development organization—serving the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico—Jennifer spends her days recruiting companies from around the globe to bring employment opportunities and taxable capital investment to our local communities. Her goal is to make Greater Richmond the top mid-sized region in the U.S. for business investment.
In her 20+ year career, she has built an impressive reputation in strategic planning, marketing and communications, operations, and organizational leadership—and is recognized as a national thought leader in economic development strategy.
She’s also a self-professed Star Wars nerd who can often be found exploring Greater Richmond with her husband, son, and miniature poodle. She’s here this week to share a few recommendations for making the most of the start of summer in the place we all love to call home.
Take it away, Jennifer…
From Carytown to The Fan
This is the first full week of summer for the kiddos, so I’d encourage everyone to go outside and spend time in the sunshine and hit the pools (as a native Floridian, I still can’t believe pools aren’t open 365)! My favorite place to take out-of-towners is Carytown and the Fan. It’s such a vibe and unlike anything else in the region. My personal fave is Can Can Brasserie (recently named one of the Richmond's best restaurants) for a meal; For the Love of Chocolate for sugary treats (like candy cigarettes!) and their new gift boxes; and then Lou Lou Boutiques for accessories and local Richmond artisan jewelry. Then stroll down the avenue to shop some more, check out the art welcome walls and unique architecture before driving down Arthur Ashe Boulevard to show off the VMFA, which is currently hosting its After 5 Fridays series with a dynamic rotation of categories: First Friday, Taste of Art, and Dance After Work, as well as Summer Breeze.
Draftcade and Summer Music at Short Pump Town Center
And speaking of shopping, I spend more time than I should at Short Pump Town Center, which is just down the road from my house. Lots of great shops, restaurants, and the Draftcade, where I hold the high score on Galaga—my favorite Atari game from the ’80s. The Summer Concert Series kicks off June 12 (Love Story: The Unofficial Taylor Swift Tribute), followed by June 26 (The Deloreans), and July 24 (Dalton Dover). Along with live bands, there will be exciting giveaways and a Wine Garden, with tickets directly benefiting Henrico CASA.
As for a favorite place to take a client: the LEGO Visitor Center! A great example of collaboration and Greater Richmond’s can-do attitude is the LEGO Group’s $1 billion manufacturing facility. While we’re eagerly awaiting the 1.7 million-square-foot facility to open, the Danish manufacturer has installed a visitor center in the shape of one of its bricks. Inside, you’ll find a model of the upcoming factory and playful videos about the company’s history. It’s open to the public and located at 1140 Meadowville Technology Pkwy, Chester.
Vitals:
LEGO Group / 1140 Meadowville Technology Pkwy, Chester
More about Greater Richmond Partnership.
The Greater Richmond Partnership is the lead economic development organization for the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico. The public-private nonprofit provides four key activities toward economic prosperity: business attraction, regional marketing, research and analysis, as well as global competitiveness. The 30-year-old organization recently released its five-year strategic plan with a focus on growing Greater Richmond’s vision of being the top mid-sized region in the U.S. for companies to invest.
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