Discovering Richmond Part 4

Pipeline Rapids. It sounds like a Kings Dominion water slide. It is so much better. No lines, no traffic, and best of all free admission. It is actually a part of the James River Park System, and apart from Belle Isle, is one of their crowning achievements. The rapids are slightly isolated, and you can get to them from either Brown Island or the Canal Walk on 12th and Byrd Streets.

The name of the rapids came from a water pipeline that the walkway is on top of, which hangs underneath a CSX railway line. If you get there at the right time you can experience the trains going right over your head. There are railings on most of the pipeline, mostly the parts that go over the rapids. The lack of railings isn't all bad, because it makes it easier to jump straight from the walkway to the rocks that are by the riverside.

There are many things to do at pipeline rapids, from kayaking to fishing and bird-watching (a great heron rookery is located there). The first time I went past it, I liked it so much I decided to have my birthday party there. And I did. And it was awesome. The beach and rushing water make it a great place to relax, and its located conveniently enough for anyone to go. I am honestly a bit scared to talk about it, but it is really too good not to share. Enjoy!

One of the walkways 3 semi-private beaches,.They are separated by the concrete pillars and foliage on both sides. It gives you the impression of having a whole section of the river to yourself.

The two-way CSX railway that is on top of the walk-way. It's pretty cool to see the trains, but you might want to look up, because rocks have a habit of falling down and hitting you in the eye as the trains rush past. 

The water pipeline that gives these rapids their name.Its covered with a kind of gravely concrete that's been flattened to give a better foothold when walking across.

The end of the metal walkway. I would have taken more pictures of it, but there was a lot of traffic on the walkway that day. 

In parts the river is shallow enough to wade to the islands on the other side. This is not one of those parts.

These are the columns of some power lines that span the rapids to (or from) the Southside.

Bridge to the Southside in the distance.

Apart of the river that looks suspiciously like it might have been a canal tow path, way back when the locks were working. 

The sandy path to Browns island. Mind the tree roots that stick out the ground!

The Browns Island entrance to Pipeline Rapids. It might look like a sandy wooded path, mostly because it is. 

The perfectly manicured grass of Browns Island, with its bridge to the Canal Walk and mainland Richmond. 

At the end of the day I was too tired to go back home by Pipeline Rapids, so I just took the Canal Walk from Browns Island. Good thing too, or I would have missed out on the $1 hotdogs at City Dog's on Cary. 

The walk was thoroughly enjoyable, and I recommend it to anyone and everyone who ever happens to be in Richmond. If you want more information on the Pipeline Rapids, check out the blog Richmond on the James.

To the architecture students, this particular walk illustrates to me the importance of reusing public space. Instead of just leaving it as a water pipeline the area is now a public recreational area that all of Richmond can enjoy. We can avoid urban sprawl if we just learn to reuse and rethink the spaces we have within our cities. I know everyone can think of an empty lot, building, or useless space in their neighborhood that could be re purposed to make something worthwhile. Let us push, as architects and architecture students, to make positive change, and make the most of the space we have.