HOPEWELL — City Council strong-armed their way into moving forward with phase II of the Riverwalk. Funding to connect City Park to the Hopewell Marina is already in place, however, two privately owned parcels stood in the way of planning and construction.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Council acted on the city’s charter regarding eminent domain to acquire the two parcels located beside the Boathouse restaurant.
Friends of the Lower Appomattox River were out in full force for Tuesday’s meeting, urging Council to acquire the properties. Heather Barrar, regional trails program director for FOLAR, called the characterized the decision as serious but necessary. According to Barrar, the public’s use of City Park has increased profoundly over the last year because of the Riverwalk and in turn, has had a positive impact on the city.
In 2018, FOLAR volunteers counted how many people used City Park on four dates in the spring and fall. Less than 12 people were accounted for. Volunteers conducted a similar poll in 2019 on the same dates, at the same time, and under the same weather from the previous year. This time, over 800 people were counted.
“That high use continues with approximately 200 walkers each day,” stated Barrar.
Barrar said Hopewell residents she has encountered on the Riverwalk appreciate the benefits it provides, including one case where a woman was recovering from a car accident and the Riverwalk provided a safe environment to help with physical therapy.
FOLAR advocate and Hopewell resident, Paul Reynolds, called the Riverwalk a “premiere community development” throughout the Commonwealth. According to Reynolds, the Riverwalk helps build community, boost Hopewell’s economy, and serves as a preservation tool for natural resources.
Reynolds also noted that he and his wife have seen an increase in community togetherness because of the Riverwalk as people will often engage with other walkers whom they did not arrive with. Reynolds has also met people who have traveled considerable distances to experience the Riverwalk.
“Hopewell needs to employ all measures necessary to ensure that phase II can be built,” he said.
A dozen other FOLAR supporters attended Tuesday’s Council meeting though not all of them spoke. Mayor Jasmine E. Gore called the support “remarkable.” Gore said, across the state, she hears great things about the Riverwalk.
By unanimous vote, Council approved the purchase of the two land parcels that stood in the way of phase II. Construction Manager Austin Anderson hopes to get started on design this week, which will extend the current endpoint of the Riverwalk by approximately 1400 linear feet.
By Brandon Carwile
The Progress-Index
Brandon Carwile can be reached at bcarwile@progress-index.com.