Appomattox River Corridor Plan Working Group

APPOMATTOX RIVER CORRIDOR PLAN WORKING GROUP

Chesterfield County Sara Habeck Madeline Purcell

City of Colonial Heights Lewis Johnson PPOMATTOX Vicki Minetree A

Dinwiddie County March Altman Bill Young, II RIVERCORRIDOR City of Hopewell Susan Collins Milton C. Martin

City of Petersburg Leonard Muse PLANSUMMARY Ken Roy

Prince George County William C. Kuthy Harold Moye

Appomattox Scenic River Advisory Board Dama Rice

PREPARED BY THE CRATER PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION JUNE 1999 AND THE APPOMATTOX RIVER CORRIDOR PLAN WORKING GROUP The Appomattox River is a major tributary adjacentof to the Riverside Regional Jail I. INTRODUCTION the James River. It flows in an easterly directionFacility. The City of Hopewell is looking across the Piedmont and Coastal Plain intoof the potential for future tourism devel- south central Virginia between Appomattoxopment in the historic City Point area. Courthouse and its confluence with the James River in Hopewell. The river is an important TABLE OF CONTENTS In this region, as interest has grown in regional resource that is unique and irreplaceable.locating additional sites for public access The portion of the river in the Crater Planningto the river, there is a need to coordinate I. Introduction 1 District meanders through six jurisdictions: theall of these efforts and to examine the A. Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program 1 Counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, andAppomattox from a regional perspective. B. The Purpose of the Plan 2 Prince George, and the Cities of ColonialTherefore, a Conceptual Greenway Plan Heights, Hopewell and Petersburg, and isfor a the Appomattox River Basin was drafted valuable resource for commerce, industryin, the summer of 1996. It attempts to link II. Study Area 2 farming, and recreation.

III. Planning Process 3 In 1992, the Crater Planning District A. Vision Statement 6 Commission, through its Coastal Resources Management Task Force, initiated the develop- B. Goals 6 ment of the Appomattox River Corridor Study, which addressed a variety of water resource IV. The Action Plan 6 issues. The study included an inventory of A. Primary Recommendation 7 recreational, cultural and natural features, an B. Recommended Actions 8 examination of existing and future land use information, and it addressed water quality and wetland issues in the river corridor. This V. Conclusion 12 supporting information is presented in a com- panion report entitled Appomattox River Corridor Plan—Technical Background. the various development proposals and In recent years, there has been increasingexisting elements together to establish the interest in providing river access along thegroundwork for an Appomattox River Appomattox. The City of Petersburg wCorridoras Plan. awarded a grant through the Virginia Transportation Enhancement Program forThe Appomattox River Corridor Plan con- development of the Appomattox Rivsistser of two parts; the Technical Background Heritage Trail. It consists of the developmentReport identifies existing conditions along of a walking and bicycle trail along the souththe River and the Summary Report recom- bank of the river in Petersburg and onmends an action plan to link people with Pocahontas Island. Chesterfield County comthe- natural world and outdoor recreational pleted a Riverfront Plan, and one of its projectopportunities, while also seeking to pro- recommendations was the Virginia Statetect the critical environmentally sensitive University (VSU)/Ettrick Riverfront Trail proareas.- ject. This trail along the Appomattox is proposed to link Randolph Farm (located at VSU)RIVERS, TRAILS AND CONSERVATION with the Village of Ettrick and VSU's mainASSISTANCE PROGRAM campus. Chesterfield County formed an organization, "Friends of Chesterfield's Riverfront",To formalize this corridor plan develop- to oversee the implementation of thement concept, the Crater Coastal Riverfront Plan. Prince George County Resouris ces Management Task Force deter- planning to develop a riverside park locatedmined that additional technical assistance

This project was funded, in part, by the Dept. of Environmental Quality’s Coastal Resources Management Program through Grant #NA770Z0204-01 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended. SUMMARY PLAN 1 was needed. In the fall of 1996, the CraterTHE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN III. PLANNING PROCESS the Corridor, and (3) identifying actions Commission was notified by the NationalAs more growth occurs, more pressure is The Appomattox River Corridor Plan wasand turning the vision and concept into Park Service that its Rivers, Trails andbeing placed on the Appomattox River developed by closely working with memreality- . Conservation Assistance Program wouldand its adjacent lands. Competing uses bers of the Crater Coastal Resources provide technical assistance needed tomust find ways to survive compatibly, Management Task Force, the AppomattoxAt the end of the workshops a vision state- support this effort. without significantly depleting the River Corridor Working Group and thement, a set of goals, and a long list of resources available. general public. The working group isactions were formulated. After further Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance composed of thirteen members; twevo aluation, thirteen actions were finally (RTCA) is a program of the National ParkThe purpose of this corridor plan is to members from each of the six river juris-selected. Among them, two recommenda- Service, which cooperates with states,assist communities and stakeholders along local governments, and citizen groups tothe river in developing a consensus and protect and restorebuilding partnerships for their visions of river corridors andrecreation development, resource conser- to establish trailvation, economic development, and water systems. The goal ofquality protection. With the assistance of this outreach pro-the Rivers, Trails and Conservation gram is to share theAssistance Program, three workshops were expertise ofheld in 1997 to solicit stakeholders' input. the National ParkThis plan documents the planning process Service with groupsand identifies recommendations for action working to protectthat will lead to the realization of the their river, trail andAppomattox River Corridor Plan goals. greenway resources.

The RTCA program is based on the principal of part-II. STUDY AREA nerships. By working This plan was undertaken with the guid- together, residents, land- ance of the Crater Coastal Resources owners, government agen- Management Task Force, comprising the cies, and private organiza- directors of planning from the tions can meet the challenges Commission's "Tidewater communities" of conservation. It works with (Counties of Chesterfield, Prince George all stakeholders to help them and Surry, and the Cities of Colonial establish goals, resolve difficult Heights, Hopewell, and Petersburg). In issues, and reach consensus on addition, Dinwiddie County's planning dictions (one citizen and one public offi- how community resources should director was invited to participate in this cial) and a representative of the be used and managed. It leads the effort. The task force defined the study Appomattox Scenic River Advisory Board. stakeholders through a visioning area and the specific width of corridor to Three public forums were held in 1997. process and eventually moves a project tions, the Upper Appomattox Canal nom- be studied, and determined that the study Each two-day public forum workshop from conception to completion. ination to the National Register, and the would be limited to a section of the River involved many stakeholders, including extension of the Appomattox Scenic River approximately twenty-two miles long, riparian property owners, community designation had already been undertaken between Lake Chesdin, three miles west of planners, natural resource specialists, by interested groups. In March, 1998, the the Brasfield Dam, to its confluence with river users, citizens and other local inter- Virginia General Assembly extended the the James. The width of the study corridor est groups. The objectives of the three scenic river designation one and one-third generally sits within 750 feet of the edge of workshops were (1) developing a vision miles westward to Brasfield Dam from the the 100-year flood plain (as defined by the and setting direction for the future of the existing Appomattox Scenic River bound- Federal Emergency Management Agency) River Corridor, (2) formulating a concept ary. Also, in the spring of 1998, the City on either side of the River. However, the by bringing together opportunities within of Petersburg and the Virginia Canal and corridor width fluctuates depending on Navigation Society pursued the nomina- the River's characteristics. (See map on tion of the Upper Appomattox Canal to page 4). the National Register.

2 SUMMARY PLAN SUMMARY PLAN 3 APPOMATTOX RIVER CORRIDOR PLAN STATE LANDS WETLANDS F. CENTRAL STATE HOSPITAL RT. 1O G. RANDOLPH FARM ABANDONED RAILROAD H. VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY TRAILS I-295 LOCAL LANDS AND PARKS T-1 T1 APPOMATTOX RIVER PARK TRAIL I. LAKE CHESDIN BOAT RAMP I-95 JAMES T2 VSU/ETTRICK RIVERWALK TRAIL J. APPOMATTOX RIVERSIDE PARK Q RIVER T3 APPOMATTOX RIVER HERITAGE TRAIL K. ETTRICK RIVERSIDE PARK L. McKENZIE PARK FEDERAL LANDS ABANDONED RR M. FORT CLIFTON PARK A. FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION E N. WHITE BANK PARK O R B. FORT LEE O. PROPOSED PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY A C. PETERSBURG NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD P RIVERSIDE PARK D D. NATIONAL CEMETERY P. RIVERSIDE REGIONAL JAIL E. CITY POINT UNIT OF PETERSBURG US 1/301 Q. POINT OF ROCKS PARK NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD R. HOPEWELL RIVERSIDE PARK N HOPEWELL S. APPOMATTOX RIVER CANOE LAUNCH M

COLONIAL CHESTERFIELD HEIGHTS PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY Temple Ave. COUNTY H RT. 36 DESIGNATED LAKE CHESDIN SCENIC RIVER K FORT LEE T-3 APPOMATTOX RIVER G T-2 B L C S T-1 I J

F I-295 US 460 PETERSBURG

US 460 DINWIDDIE COUNTY US 1 N

I-85 Miles

ABANDONED0 RR 1 2 I-95 The vision statement, with its concomitant goals, follows: PRIMARY RECOMMENDATION PRIMARY RECOMMENDATION To form a nonprofit citizen organization.

To form a nonprofit citizen organization; The Corridor Plan recognizes the diverse VISION STATEMENT FRIENDS OF THE APPOMATTOX RIVER interests along the Appomattox River. All major stakeholders, including riverfront The Appomattox River is a place of extraordinary beauty which connects surrounding communities property owners, local governments, pub- into a partnership for prosperity and quality of life. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS PARTNERS TIME FRAMElic institutions and river user groups, need to work together to achieve the goals set 1. Develop a Regional Trail System Friends of the Appomattox ongoingout in the Plan. GOALS Local Governments Public Institutions It is recommended that a new nonprofit H EALTHYECOSYSTEM To protect the river and its ecosystem from harmful and irresponsible actions while enhancing the value of organization called "Friends of the abundant natural resources. 2. Improve Water Quality of the River Friends of the Appomattox ongoingAppomattox River" be created. This orga- Local Governments nization would work with the citizens and P Virginia Department of local governments; it would be indepen- RIVATEINTERESTS To promote safe and responsible river usage and enjoyment for citizens who have vested rights as Environmental Quality dent, nonpartisan and mission oriented, property owners, as well as for those desiring pleasurable rewards as visitors. and it would oversee and guide the imple- 3. Establish and maintain an Friends of the Appomattox short termmentation of the Corridor Plan. The orga- P nization may be an independent group or RESERVATION To discover, enhance and promote the scenic natural beauty and historical and cultural attributes of the Appomattox River web page. Local Governments it may be affiliated with an existing citizen River for present and future generations. 4. Organize an annual river cleanup Friends of the Appomattox short termgroup such as Friends of Chesterfield's campaign. Local Civic Organizations Riverfront. This group is also a nonprofit E organization which represents citizens DUCATION To develop an educational program which will foster and heighten an awareness and appreciation of the interested in promoting and enhancing the River as a resource. 5. Expand Bateau Day celebration Friends of the Appomattox short term Virginia Canal and Navigation Appomattox and James Rivers. E Society CONOMIC a. To promote the economic benefits of river access through appropriate land use and development Friends of the Appomattox River should be D EVELOPMENT decisions. 6. Develop a brochure and Friends of the Appomattox mid terma public interest organization with a mis- b. To raise the quality of life in the region with well managed and balanced recreational, tourism and self guided tour map to illustrate Local Governments sion to stimulate the many individual entrepreneurial opportunities. the river features and locations. Virginia Canal Association actions and public/private partnerships needed to implement the Plan. The board P 7. Start a Whitewater Festival Friends of the Appomattox mid termshould have broad representation. The UBLICINTERESTS a. To promote a regional organization representative of all interests to work toward the protection and Statewide Whitewater Groups Friends group would be expected to enjoyment of the River Corridor. Canoe Clubs actively participate in the public discus- b. To promote appropriate uses and safety of public properties and activities through comprehensive sion, serve as keeper of the vision, and community involvement in decision making. 8. Identify settlement patterns along Friends of the Appomattox mid termpromote the public policies and actions c. To promote environmentally sound uses and care of the river and adjacent lands. the Appomattox and organize Virginia Department of supportive of that vision. d. To further identify and enhance recreational and tourism opportunities in the Corridor. a regional archaeological program Historic Resources University Archaeological Centers Friends of the Appomattox River should be Local Governments governed by a board of six to twelve directors, one or two from each jurisdiction, to 9. Develop the rail and river boat tour Friends of the Appomattox long terminclude, but not be limited to representa- loop. Local Governments tives of the following interests: IV. THE ACTION PLAN enhanced; and the Corridor continues to actions recommended that will enhance Petersburg National Battlefield • riparian landowners remain a place where connecting commu- the Appomattox River and unite the com- • business leaders The following Appomattox River Corridor nities become partners in maintaining munities along the river. Together, they 10. Build a nature center Friends of the Appomattox long term• civic association representatives Plan recommendations represent the con- prosperity and quality of life. will guide changes within the Corridor to Local Parks & Recreation • Appomattox Scenic River sensus reached by the participants and the achieve improved conditions in the use of Departments Advisory Board working group. They are intended to The primary focus of the recommenda- land along the River, the quality of the ensure that the Appomattox River is acces- tions is the initial organization of a non- water within the region, and quality of life sible to the residents of the region; the sig- profit citizen group that will guide the of the citizens along the Appomattox nificant natural and cultural resources implementation of the Appomattox River River. found there are protected, preserved, and Corridor Plan. There are also ten key

6 SUMMARY PLAN SUMMARY PLAN 7 • conservation groups important component in building publicment but are excellent elements for a trail planning process. They will help in iden- ommendation should be accepted by the • historic organizations support for increasing stewardship of thesystem. tifying concerns and issues and can pro- respective local governments and includ- • river recreation and boating interests riverfront, and for continuing to introduce vide positive suggestions. A successful ed in the local comprehensive plan and the citizens of the region to one of theMany studies demonstrate that parks and trail planning committee can evolve into a recreation and open space plan. The The new nonprofit organization shouldregion's greatest resources. trails increase nearby property values, strong support group to assist various part- planned regional trail system may not fol- seek a two to three year funding commit- which, in turn, result in increased local tax ners in acquiring, developing and manag- low the riverfront in all cases, which is ment from private sector businesses,RECOMMENDED ACTIONS revenue. The Friends Group should advo- ing the trail system. acceptable as long as it provides the foundations, local governments, state1. DEVELOP A REGIONAL TRAIL SYSTEMcate this finding. In addition, the quality opportunities for river access in the future. and federal agencies. Additional fundingIt is recommended that a regional trail sys-of life of a community becomes an There are significant public land holdings needs to be raised through individualtem along the corridor be established. Theincreasingly important factor to prospec- in the River Basin. These properties include The Conceptual Greenway Plan for the donations. Grants are also available for system may consist of natural, bike andtive new residents and industries as they the Petersburg National Battlefield, the U. Appomattox River Basin, that was pre- S. Army Quartermaster Center and Fort pared in 1996, sets a basic framework for Lee, two national cemeteries, the Federal a future regional trail system. Correctional Institute, Virginia State University, Central State Hospital, Southside Virginia Training Center, Riverside Regional Correctional Center, and several state and local park and recreational sites. All of these public lands can be potentially linked through a regional trail system. The Friends Group should work with the public agencies to explore the variety of potential trail opportunities that exist in the region, with the determi- nation to identify a potential site and then develop it as a demonstration project.

Funding for certain trail developments, such as bike trails and rail-to-trail projects, is available through the Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). 2. IMPROVE WATER QUALITY The Virginia Recreational Trails Fund OF THE APPOMATTOX Program is another funding source. It was Water quality in the Appomattox River is various projects. Many foundations andheritage trails, and other linear open spacemake decisions about relocation. The established to provide and maintain recre- generally good and meets the standards of granting agencies prefer to fund thein the region. The goal of this action is toregional trail system will be an important ational trails and related facilities. The pro- the Clean Water Act. This finding is based endeavors of nonprofit organizations.link all recreational, cultural and naturalcontributor to the quality of life in sur- gram is administered by the Virginia on the state analysis of water column sam- features, and historic sites on both sides ofrounding communities. Department of Conservation and ples, fish tissue, and sediment samples With initial financial support from privatethe Appomattox. Recreation. It gives preference to projects monitored in the Appomattox. foundations, businesses, local govern- A regional trail system is best formed from with the greatest number of compatible ments and other public sources, the non-There are numerous corridors of landcooperative public and private partner- recreational purposes, and projects that The best way to approach many of the profit organization also should reach outwithin the Appomattox River Basin thatships, including citizen groups, river user provide for innovative recreational trails water quality concerns is to build partner- to the entire community through a mem-offer the potential to serve as trails. Thegroups, government agencies, and private corridor sharing. The proposed Appomattox ships with local governments and other bership program. Individuals will bepreliminary regional trail system couldbusinesses. Friends of the Appomattox River Regional Trail System meets the private organizations. The objective is to asked to sign up and support the activitiesinclude river and stream corridors, canals,River should work with representatives of above funding criteria. learn from local governments and organi- of the "Friends". Membership activitiesutility easements, abandoned railroadpotential user groups such as hikers, bik- zations what is already being done to pro- could include special river tours, volun-rights-of-way, flood plains, designateders, joggers, equestrians, nature study and This would be a long range project, but the tect the water quality of the Appomattox, teer opportunities for cleanups, wildliferesource protection areas and existingbird watchers, boaters, fishermen, and con- system could be planned in phases. The and share information that can help maxi- counts and special hikes. It will increasetrails. There are hundreds of acres of floodservation groups in developing this trail net- Friends Group should develop a long-term mize the benefits communities receive the public exposure to and ownership ofplains and wetlands in the corridor. Theywork. It is very important to include adja- trail plan that emphasizes a need for local from maintaining a clean river, including the river and its riverfront. This will be anare considered unsuitable for develop-cent landowners early in the trail system and regional cooperation. Every trail rec- economic and recreational opportunities.

8 SUMMARY PLAN SUMMARY PLAN 9 Another water quality initiative that the It is important to maintain and improve the5. EXPAND BATEAU DAY CELEBRATION Dam, and Target Rock Rapids. Mostnatur ofal resource areas with historic sites. Friends Group could consider is to orga- good water quality in the Appomattox. TheEach fall Bateau Day is celebrated at the them are rated Class II or III whitewTheater Friends Group should work with local nize a Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Friends Group, along with all levels of gov-Appomattox Riverside Park. This site was rapids where rapids having some irregulargovernments, historic organizations, and Program. Such a program would consist ernment and environmental agencies,formerly used as an amusement park in waves and narrow passages occur.the T hisarchaeological center located at the of a network of private citizens who keep should assure that the high water quality ofthe early 1900's. A temporary museum is section of the Appomattox is a nice Collegestretch of William and Mary to organize a track of ambient, surface water quality in the Appomattox is maintained. set up in a building at the park to pay of river for whitewater rafting. It is recomregional- archaeological program and the river. The volunteers monitor dissolved homage to the past. mended that the Friends group organizeinvestigate a extensive settlement patterns oxygen, pH, salinity, air and water temper- 3. ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN AN whitewater festival. and historical assets in the Corridor. The ature, and turbidity to gauge the general APPOMATTOX RIVER WEB PAGE It is recommended that the annual Bateau health and quality of the water in the It is recommended that an AppomattoxDay celebration be expanded into a major Appomattox. River web page be established. The webfestival. An interpretive program at the page would contain all existing natural,Appomattox Riverside Park could be historical and recreational resources, anddeveloped to tell the story of the construc- should be updated regularly. tion of the canal and the operation of This action could be implemented fairlyBateaux. Other activities might include a quickly by the Friends of the Appomattox.bateau construction demonstration, Friends need to solicit donations andbateau rides at the park and an interpre- apply for grants to set up and maintaintive hike along the heritage trail system on the web page. Some of the potentialthe Upper Appomattox Canal. partners are Virginia State University, Richard Bland College, state and localThe Friends of the Appomattox River need tourism offices, and private computer com-to work with the local governments, the panies. Scenic Appomattox River Advisory Board and the Virginia Canal and Navigation 4. ORGANIZE AN ANNUAL RIVER Society to explore the feasibility of the CLEAN-UP CAMPAIGN Bateau Day celebration expansion. This could be a kick-off project for the Friends of the Appomattox River. After the6. DEVELOP A BROCHURE Water quality monitoring is the repetitive formation of the Friends group, a riverAND SELF-GUIDED TOUR MAP TO measurement or observation of a water- clean-up campaign could be organized. ItILLUSTRATE THE RIVER FEATURES body over time. By measuring water qual- is a community involvement campaignAND THEIR LOCATIONS ity repetitively, one can detect changes designed to encourage citizens of all agesJust like the web page, all natural, histori- and trends in water conditions that occur to assume a renewed pride in and respon-cal, and recreational resources would be The Friends Group needs to work withFriends the Group should participate in the due to natural events or pollution. Often, sibility for the Appomattox. featured in a brochure and tour map. The Appomattox Scenic River Advisory ArBoard,chaeology Month Activities. The month one or two years of data will not show Friends of the Appomattox River would canoe clubs and the James River outfitterslong event is sponsored by the Virginia trends in water quality and will not pin- There are many ways a citizen or organiza-work with local governments, tourism for advice and guidance on this proposal.Department of Historic Resources. It point sources of pollution. Therefore, tion can get involved with a river clean-upoffices, parks and recreation offices, focuses on stewardship themes and edu- monitoring is a long-term effort. Carefully campaign. One can pick up litter along achambers of commerce, and river user 8. IDENTIFY SETTLEMENT PATTERNScational programs. There may be some obtained, objective monitoring is very trail, shoreline, parks, etc., or erect birdgroups on this project. This is a short-term ALONG THE APPOMATTOX funding sources from the Archaeological valuable in developing information about houses or plant trees and other vegetationproject. AND ORGANIZE A REGIONAL Society of Virginia. a waterbody's baseline conditions. The to help prevent soil erosion and create ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROGRAM citizen water quality monitoring program important wildlife habitats. 7. START A WHITEWATER FESTIVAL The Appomattox River Corridor is a9. place DEVELOP THE RAIL can help accomplish the following two The Falls of the Appomattox are a unique rich in history. From the AppomattucAND kRIVER BOAT TOUR LOOP objectives in the river corridor: a) it will The Friends group would be the sponsor ofasset. There are numerous rapids along Indian village near the Falls of theA Ri rvailer ,and river boat tour loop could be supplement data collected by the state to the clean-up campaign and involve otherthe upper portion of the Appomattox the colonial settlement at City Point,dev elopedthe between Old Towne Petersburg maintain a profile of water quality condi- civic organizations and river user groups.River. Canoe or whitewater trips could be establishment of the Peter Jones Tandrading City Point using replica steam trains tions in the corridor, and b) it will provide It would also coordinate with statewidelaunched below the Lake Chesdin Dam Post to the development of the Citiesand steamboatsof to interpret tobacco cul- a useful tool for educating the public and campaign efforts; Virginia's Fall Riverand travel through the following chal- Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonialture, trade, the Civil War and the transport involve them in river conservation efforts. Renaissance campaign and Operationlenges: Picnic Rapids, Rock Garden, Heights, there are a great numberhistory of along the Lower Appomattox. Spruce Up in the spring. Jughandle Rapids, Spiked Dam, Battersea opportunities for linking public access and

10 SUMMARY PLAN SUMMARY PLAN 11 This is a long range project. There are 10. BUILD A NATURE CENTER natural resources need to be developed. many heritage sites along the River.The Appomattox Nature Center could be anThe potential partners for this project are During different periods of history, both exhibition center for the existing naturallocal parks and recreation departments City Point and Petersburg's Old Towne elements relating to land, water, air, plantand area schools. served as major transportation centers.and animal life of the Corridor and the The steam train could run from Southsideinterrelationship of these elements. It has Depot through Battlefield Park to thebeen emphasized that citizens will be more James River, stopping at the City Point likely to be stewards of the River and Unit. The river boat could run from theappreciate the area's unique environment ifVI. CONCLUSION wharves at the City Point Unit to thethey are able to experience these resourcesThis plan recommends the formation of a Petersburg Old Harbor which is near thepersonally. new nonprofit citizen organization, Let the fun begin. Southside Depot. The river boat and steam "Friends of the Appomattox River". It may In addition to an exhibition, the Center maybe an independent group or it may be include classrooms, riparian viewingaffiliated with an existing group such as rooms, outdoor observation decks, an outF-riends of Chesterfield's Riverfront. It fur- door laboratory, and a children's garden.ther recommends that this new citizen All of the programs in the Center should beorganization oversee and guide the designed to challenge visitors to question,implementation of this plan. Ten actions explore and discover the living nature ofare suggested in the Corridor Plan directly the Appomattox River Corridor. resulting from three citizen forums con- ducted during 1997. The children's garden could have displays of flora and fauna indigenous toIt is envisioned by the Appomattox River the Appomattox River area. ItCorridor Working Group that the Plan would be very interesting if the preshould- first be presented to the public to sentation would include small critgener- ate support, and then to the govern- ters and their habitats. Similar to theing bodies for endorsement and creation concept of a petting zoo, the chilof- a "Friends" group. The Working Group's dren's garden would provide thevision of the "Friends" group is that each opportunities of "touching" and "feeling"locality would appoint one key person to native objects. the group, and those individuals could select other interested persons to its For long range planning, the center couldmembership. train would be used develop certain adventurous activities such to interpret the story of the Civil as a simulated bateau ride on theThus, by the end of 1999 two objectives War and the history of the LowerAppomattox. Using high definition and anishould- be achieved two objectives: a Appomattox. The circled tour loops couldmation technology, the gentle motion of apublicly supported Plan giving guidance be joined at any of the tour stops. bateau ride down the Appomattox Riverfor the future of the Appomattox River; could be recreated. The visitors would sitand the formation of a "Friends" group Friends of the Appomattox River needs toon a reproduction crate or hogshead andcomposed of individuals committed to research and develop a correspondingobserve the seasonal changes within thefulfilling the Plan. interpretive program about the Lowerriparian environment and they could listen Appomattox River. The Friends Group alsoto the rich history of human settlement onThe path toward plan implementation is needs to work with all affected entities:the River. exciting. It meets the original intentions Petersburg, Hopewell, Norfolk-Southern of creating a regional approach to the Railroad, Fort Lee, and the Petersburg The nature center would provide the eduAppomattox- River, with a full list of National Battlefield in developing a river-cational opportunities and environmentalachievable actions supportive of the Plan. rail loop concept. appreciation of the Appomattox. The locaIt- is also a product produced with a strong tion of this center needs to be determinedreliance on the interests and desires of the and researchers and programs about thepublic, especially those having direct links to the Appomattox River.

12 SUMMARY PLAN