Ginter Park Gazette
Friday, February 17, 2023
Contents
Fall Line-Trolley Line Project Update and Survey
Letter from Delegate Betsy Carr, an Opportunity for Advocacy
Ginter Park Residents Association Calendar of Meetings
Calendar of Social Events
March Blood Drive
Ginter Park Garden Club Spring Market
“When spring comes, even the false spring, there were no problems excvept where to be happiest.” ~Ernest Hemingway
So, one day brings highs in the 70s, sunshine, Daffodils, Crocuses and Lenten Roses blooming, followed by wintry gray days. False spring will soon give way to the glory of spring in Ginter Park and the Commonwealth. GPRA is busy organizing committees and social events, and projects impacting our neighborhood continue on their trajectories.
Trolley Line Trail Survey
GPRA and the Northside Coalition of Civic/Neighborhood Associations has been keeping our community informed about the Northside segment of the Fall Line Trail. Funding is reportedly now in place, but the design is not finalized. We anticipate additional public meetings to allow citizen input into the design.
“The Trolley Line Trail” is a part of the larger Fall Line project, and Phase I, the Ashland Trolley Line Trail, has been completed. The next Phase includes extending the Trail from Warren to Westbrook on Brook Road, according to a communication that we received this week, and will include Ginter Park-a good fit for a neighborhood whose beginnings were as a trolley line suburban neighborhood.
From the VDOT/Ashland Trolley Line Trail website:
“More than 80 years after a trolley between Richmond and Ashland stopped running (1938), the Town of Ashland began construction on the “Trolley Line Trail”. This will be the first phase of an off-road, alternate route for bicycles and pedestrians between Richmond and Ashland. The project consists of a boardwalk and asphalt trail. Construction began in the Spring of 2019. This project will be part of the East Coast Greenway and the Fall Line. To see the Ashland Trolley Line Trail project as it relates to the rest of the potential future project between Ashland and Richmond, check out the Trolley Line Trail Study Area.”
A Project within a Project
The Ashland Trolley Line Public History Project will be a compliment to the Fall Line. There will be a kickoff event on February 23, 6-7:30 p.m. at Virginia Union University for a discussion of the history of the past, present, and future of the Ashland Trolley Line and its impact on the development of communities in North Richmond and northward through Henrico and Hanover counties to the Town of Ashland.
Presenters will include Bill Martin of The Valentine, staff members from PlanRVA and National Park Service’s Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Program, and more. Organizers have been working with jurisdictional partners and organizations to find and share stories from people who have a connection to the Ashland Trolley Line and the neighborhoods and communities it passed through, which includes Ginter Park.. Do you have a story or a memory you would like to share? Come to this event to learn more about the project and ways to contribute. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ashland-trolley-line-public-history-project-tickets-537974184267
VCU students requested that neighborhood associations disseminate this survey, which inquires about the types of potential placemaking and public art amenities for the Trail that are of interest to our neighborhood.
Here’s a link to the google form: Trolley Line Placemaking Survey.
House of Delegates Approves Budget Amendment Requiring Traffic Study
Delegate Betsy Carr reached out to GPRA this week to report that the House of Delegates approved a budget amendment this week which will require VDOT to perform a long term traffic study of the I-95/Arthur Ashe interchange and the impact that residential and commercial growth has had and will have on both the safety and capacity of that interchange. This interchange impacts Ginter Park, Rosedale, Sherwood Park, Carver, Scott’s Addition and all of the future Diamond District as well as other local travelers passing through.
From Delegate Carr’s letter:
“The City’s Diamond District development will have even more significant impacts. Phase One of the Diamond District will have a minimum of 1,135 rental units and a minimum of 1,695 structured parking spaces. And we don’t yet know what subsequent phases of that project will bring but I think it’s fair to assume it will bring more population density and commercial traffic. Moreover, media reports indicate that the longstanding hotel located at the interchange will be converted into 300 apartments, putting even more cars into that immediate area. With these developments will come increasing traffic and strain on the interchange. I am concerned about the impacts of that traffic
increase on residents and on businesses and particularly on safety.”
GPRA representatives have participated in public meetings regarding both the Diamond District development and the proposed Quality Inn Hotel property redevelopment. We noted residents’ concerns about traffic related to these developments, and are pleased to see this action in the VA House. If you support this VDOT traffic study, you may reach out to Senator Jennifer McClellan, District 9, and Ghazala Hashmi, District 10, to communicate your support:
Senator Jennifer McClellan
district09@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Ghazala Hashmi
district10@senate.virginia.gov
Committee Meetings
Planning and Zoning Committee,
Chaired by Stephen Weisensale, AIA, CSI
When: February 19, Sunday, 2:00 pm
Where? Stir Crazy Cafe, 4015 MacArthur Avenue, Richmond, 23227
Gathers for the first meeting for 2023 to welcome new committee members, provide an introduction to the work of this committee, to discuss development and redevelopment projects and zoning policies likely to impact our neighborhood, and to plan followup actions and meetings.
Contact: zoning@ginterpark.org
Traffic and Infrastructure Committee, Chaired by Jon Oliver, Engineer
When: Tuesday, February 21, 6:oo pm
Where: Main Branch Richmond Public Library Meeting Room,
101 East Frankln Street
Welcome to new members; introduction to the scope of the work of this committee and processes; review of neighborhood traffic safety concerns; review of infrastructure concerns; discussion of potential actions and follow-up meetings.
Contact: traffic@ginterpark.org
Beautification and Tree Team, Co-Chairs Steve Welton, Daniel Lawrence, and Susan Rebillot
When: Thursday, February 23, 7:30 pm
Where: Home of Steve Welton, 3900 Seminary Avenue
Kick-off to 2023 projects! Welcome to new volunteers; gratitudes to returning volunteers; discussion of 2023 goals; establishment of Spring Work Days; budget discussion and processes; status of Tree Team goals and the Adopt a Tree Program.
Contact: beautification@ginterpark.org
Board Meeting
When: Tuesday, March 14, 6:30 pm
Where: St. Paul’s Catholic Church Fellowship Hall, 909 Rennie Avenue
Board Meetings are formatted to complete required Board business, but Board Meetings are open to the public. If you are a resident or a member with a topic or presentation that you would like placed on the Agenda, please submit your request to Robyn Houser Bridges, secretary@ginterpark.org by March 6.
Reserve These Dates! Further details to come, so stay tuned!
Brought to you by the Social Committee, Chaired by Prudence Justis and Melissa Oefelein. If you would like to host a porch, garden party or other social event April through October, please contact Prudence and Melissa at events@ginterpark.org
Garden Party, Friday, April 14, 5 to 7 pm, Garden of Brian and Robyn Bridges, Laburnum Court, 1517 Palmyra Avenue.
Open to all, this Garden Party kicks off our Spring social events! Connect with new friends and old! Please bring a lawn chair, your favorite beverage and a finger-food to share. There will be a raffle for some exciting gift baskets, $5.00 a ticket, with proceeds going to the GPRA Social Committee fund for other events.
Member Appreciation Garden Party, Saturday, May 20, 3:00 to 5:00 pm, Garden of Andrew Wilder and Kurt Christiansen, 3416 Monrose Avenue. Join GPRA or Renew your dues a bit early to be a guest for this special, Latin-themed event. Hosts will serve a signature cocktail or two and light hors-d’oeuvres. Please bring a lawn chair and a festive mood, a finger food to share, if you like.
Special Members-Only Event, Flowers After 5 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Thursday, June 15, after 5!
GPRA and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden are partnering to host a special Membership Event, an evening in the Garden for Flowers After 5, with music, food, and special promotions for membership in both LGBG and GPRA. Those who join GPRA or renew their dues by June 1, 2023 are invited! Stay tuned for further details, but reserve the date for this first-time-ever special event. Your GPRA Membership will entitle you to a discounted ticket for this Garden event. Thank you to Mary Elfner, GPRA Member and LGBG Board Member for making this partnership come to life! Organized by Membership Chair, Carrie Vuori, membership@ginterpark.org and Susan Rebillot, communications@ginterpark.org
Annual Picnic, Saturday, June 24, 1 to 4:00 pm, Shalom Farms Northside/Yaupon Place Park, corner of Westwood Avenue and Loxley
GPRA hosts and provides Lee’s Chicken and necessary paper products and utentsils, non-alcoholic beverages. Guests bring dishes or desserts to share. Family-friendly event with Jonathan the Juggler, face painting, and more.
Dates to Reserve and Details TBA
Annual GPRA Membership Meeting, Chil Cook-off and Board Election, Saturday, November 11, 4:30 to 7:00 pm.
Annual GPRA Holiday Party, Saturday, December 2.
2nd Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange, Sunday, December 10.
Community Events
GPRA Hosts Red Cross Blood Drive, Wednesday, March 22, 12 to 5 pm, Ginter Park Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. 
