Playing close to home

Housebound Goochlanders looking for a place close to hone to get outside and safely have some fun discovered county parks. According to Interim County Administrator Derek Stamey, whose responsibilities include oversight of our recreational venues, our parks have experienced a huge surge in use since Covid changed the world The county has several parks including Hidden Rock, near the central convenience center and animal shelter; Leakes Mill on Rt. 6 west of Rock Castle Road, which has playing fields and a regionally renowned mountain bike trail, built largely by volunteers; Matthews Park, on Matthews Road north of Hadensville-Fife Road; and the Central High School Educational and Cultural Center on Dogtown Road. (See https://www.goochlandva.us/Facilities?clear=False for a complete list.) Goochland is bounded on the south by the James River, a glorious natural and recreational resource that, due to the barrier of CSX railroad tracks that run mostly along the river, Goochland access to the James was almost non-existent. However, in Courthouse Village, south of River Road West, the tracks are set back from the river. In 2007 the county purchased riverfront property on both sides of the Rt. 522 bridge from the Tucker family. It became Tucker Park at Maidens Landing, perhaps the brightest star in the constellation of county parks.

Tucker Park riverfront today. Soon after the park was established, the Goochland Chamber of Commerce organized a task force to reconnect citizens with the James River and clean up the site. This group morphed into the Friends of Goochland Parks (https://www.friendsofgoochlandparks.com/) a non-profit organization that raises funds, organizes volunteers, and otherwise brings people together to celebrate the river and Goochland. Local businesses and volunteers donated their time, talents, and treasure to transform the area into a community recreation area. Amenities on the west side of Tucker Park include a mile-long walking trail, the CarMax Cares outdoor amphitheater, picnic tables, a butterfly garden, a dog park, fishing, and a playground. The east side includes a non-motorized boat launch ramp, and a planned archery range. Linking both sides of the park without crossing Rt.522, the busy road to Powhatan, has been an elusive goal since the park’s creation. In 2008, the county adopted guidelines to implement the Virginia Public-Private Education Facilities and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (PPEA). In March 2019, the county issued a request for proposals (RFP) to build an asphalt path on the ground under the bridge. The county contracted with the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for $138,000 in June 2019. According to the August 4 board of supervisors’ packet, that contract was terminated “for convenience” before any work began. In September 2019, John K. George & Co. (JKG) a Richmond-based regional marine construction firm submitted an unsolicited proposal adhering to PPEA guidelines to build an alternately designed above grade timber boardwalk between both sides of Tucker Park for $140,000. In November 2019, the supervisors directed staff to evaluate the proposals and post a public notice that the county would consider competing proposals. None were received by the December 27, 2019 deadline.

A schematic of the connector. (Goochland County photo) As proposed, the connector would be approximately 200 feet in length and eight feet wide, built from above using cantilevered equipment for minimal impact on wetlands. In its 36-year history, JKG has significant experience in the design and construction of marine projects. Projects completed by JKG include: the Hopewell Riverwalk; the Battersea Pedestrian Trail Bridge; and a timber pier through a wetland in Prince Georges County using specially designed equipment.

Overhead view of Tucker Park connector location circled. Goochland County photo. The Tucker Park proposal includes all design, permitting, and construction associated with the project. Stamey said that the proposed boardwalk connector would be sheltered from debris that routinely collects under the Maidens Bridge by existing bridge stanchions. It will be supported by heavy round timber pilings; have timber decking and 42-inch-high railings; and be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, so everyone can enjoy the park. The most extensive routine maintenance that Stamey foresees is power washing the structure after flooding. The proposal contends that this approach to the connector is an “elegant and affordable solution to a project that is already planned for and desired by the County.”

A similar project completed by JKG.(Goochcland County photo) Stamey said that if the supervisors authorize execution of the contract at their September 1 meeting, JKG will begin the permitting and design process. Given the location, permits are required from many agencies including VDOT, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. If all the stars align, Stamey expects completion of the project sometime during summer, 2021.