The Governor's Race, Improving Literacy, and a Community Meeting Regarding the Fall Line Trail
Cheers RVA!
Today will be rainy with a high of 56 and a low of 40. The week ahead is expected to be cooler with highs in the 50’s, with sunshine expected tomorrow and possibly more rain at the end of the week.
the juice:
Lieutenant Governor Windsome Earle-Sears will be the Republican candidate for Governor after she was the sole candidate to garner the requisite number of signatures to be on the primary ballot in June, via WTVR.
Delegate Dave LaRock and State Senator Amanda Chase were unable to collect enough signatures to compete in the primary.
Earle-Sears will face Democratic Candidate Abigail Spanberger in November.
Virginia is one of 18 states that has never had a female governor.
the pulp:
Thousands of Virginians attended a protest at Capital Square on Saturday as part of a nationwide “hands-off” protest focused on protecting Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, federal workers, immigrant rights, and publicly funded scientific research, according to Landon Shroder at RVAMag.
Lois Harrison-Jones Elementary school (formerly John B. Cary), is beating the trends on SOL’s and improving student literary, according to Victoria Ifatusin at the Richmonder. The school piloted literacy curriculum from the University of Florida Literacy Institute that is now used in all schools across the district. Increased teacher retention and additional after-school programs have also played a role in the recent success in learning.
the dive:
Richmond Parks and Recreation and the Department of Public Works are hosting an “enhanced engagement activity” community meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss the Bryan Park section of the Fall Line Trail.
The Fall Line Trail is a planned 43 mile route that stretches from Ashland to Petersburg, connecting communities across seven localities with a multi-use path.
Five miles of the trail is nearing completion in Hanover, with construction currently underway in Chesterfield, and groundbreaking set for this year in Petersburg.
Wednesday’s meeting is about the alignment of the section that runs through Bryan Park in Richmond’s 13-mile stretch of trial.
Sportbackers, a nonprofit which supports programs to inspire people to live actively, has helped shape the design through the park since 2022, and is encouraging riders of all levels to come out and support the Fall Line Trail at Wednesday’s meeting.
Natalie Rainer, the engagement manager for Sportbackers, makes a case for the preferred alignment (the green route) in a recent post:
A clear understanding of this debate begins with recognizing the purpose of the Fall Line trail. It is not simply a “recreational bike path”. The Fall Line is a transportation-oriented, multi-use pathway designed for bike commuting, wheelchair users, walking, running, pushing strollers, and encouraging people to stop along the way. It is as much for casual trail users, young children, older adults, and people with mobility challenges as it is for who we might think of as “recreational” bike riders, bike clubs, and fitness. As such, where the trail is designed to go, both within Bryan Park and beyond, is crucial.
Bike Walk RVA (a Sportsbackers program) goes on to share in a recent post on FB:
(The green route provides) safe, ADA-compliant access to the most amenities for the most people within the park that also provides a dedicated pedestrian path where most of the walking in the park already occurs.
Opponents of the green route have voiced concerns over tree removal, cost, and the proximity of the trail to the soccer fields.
Other proposals could have an impact on the route of the 51-year tradition of summer bike racing, or cut directly through the disc golf course.
In an effort to encourage cyclists of all abilities to attend, community rides from various locations are scheduled for Wednesday as follows:
SOUTHSIDE
4:15PM – Forest Hill Park – Old Stone House
EAST END
4:20PM – Libby Hill Park
WEST END
4:20PM – University of Richmond – Campus Dr & UR Dr
NORTHSIDE
4:40PM – Bryan Park – RVA Big Market entrance on Bellevue
CENTRAL
4:45PM – Monroe Park
4:50PM – Triangle Park @ Lombardy & Park
The meeting will take place on Wednesday from 5 - 7 pm at the Richmond Police Academy located at 1202 W Graham St. near Virginia Union University.
the vibe:
Have an untroubled day RVA!
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