FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2024
Rivanna Conservation Alliance Announces Rivanna River Restoration Project at Riverview Park
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Rivanna Conservation Alliance (RCA), in partnership with the City of Charlottesville, local design firms Ecosystem Services and Wolf Josey Landscape Architects, and community stakeholders, is proud to announce the Rivanna Restoration at Riverview Park project. This comprehensive initiative aims to restore critical sections of riverbank, enhance water quality and native habitat, repair a severely eroding stormwater outfall, and provide more opportunities for the community to safely access the river in one of Charlottesville's most cherished natural recreational areas.
Riverview Park serves as a major hub for outdoor activities, offering the City's only public access point to the Rivanna River for wading, boating, and fishing. It is also home to the Rivanna Trail, a Virginia-designated bird and wildlife trail frequented by hikers, bikers, and runners. However, the park faces significant environmental challenges, including severe riverbank erosion and stormwater outfall deterioration, loss of land and trees, and habitat degradation. These issues threaten both the park's ecosystem and its accessibility to the community.
“This restoration project is crucial for preserving the integrity and beauty of Riverview Park and the Rivanna River for the long-term,” said Lisa Wittenborn, Executive Director of RCA. “With extensive community engagement early in the project, we’ve been able to design a project that protects the park and its infrastructure, improves environmental conditions, and enhances the community’s use and enjoyment of the park’s natural amenities.”
“Parks [and Recreation] is excited about the ecological improvements for the river and how the project will improve access for all users,” said Chris Gensic, Planner for Charlottesville Parks and Recreation. Potential changes to boat amenities and vehicle access are being considered by the City separately from this project. “We will be seeking public input on recreation elements including parking access and boat amenities as part of the larger Parks and Recreation Master Plan.”
“We are reducing pollution, improving habitat, and providing better access to Charlottesville's most precious natural resource,” said Dan Frisbee, Water Resources Specialist for the City of Charlottesville. “This project will connect residents and visitors to the Rivanna in new and meaningful ways.”
The Rivanna Restoration at Riverview Park Project will include regrading and stabilizing more than 900 feet of eroding riverbank, repairing a rapidly degrading stormwater outfall channel, adding new river access areas and improved trails, restoring native habitats through tree and meadow plantings, and more. The project will improve water quality, increase recreational safety, improve the long-term sustainability of the park, and make the park and the Rivanna River more accessible to the community.
This project is made possible through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Chesapeake Bay Program, and other funding organizations.
To track the progress of this project, visit www.tinyurl.com/riverview-restoration.
About Rivanna Conservation Alliance:
Rivanna Conservation Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit watershed organization that works with the community to conserve the Rivanna River and its tributaries through water quality monitoring, restoration, education, and advocacy. Information about Rivanna Conservation Alliance, including ways to support this project and other work, can be found online at www.rivannariver.org or by calling 434-977-4837.
Media Contact:
Lisa Wittenborn
Executive Director
Rivanna Conservation Alliance
434-977-4837
exec@rivannariver.org