Plan Ahead For Hike On Sunday

James River Hikers have a hike scheduled for this Sunday, starting at 10 am.

This hike begins at the Oregon Hill Trailhead of the North bank Trail located near the intersection of South Laurel Street and Oregon Hill Parkway. We will follow Tredegar Street to Brown’s Island and take the Canal Walk to the Pipeline. After crossing 14th Street we will follow the Capital Trail to the Great Shiplock Park. Here we will access Chapel Island and begin our return to the starting point by way of the Mayo Bridge, the Flood Wall, Buttermilk Trail East and the Lee Bridge

This is a hike of approximately 5.5 miles over improved woodland trails, paved surfaces and, in places, barely discernible trails. This hike will begin at the posted time, not five or ten minutes later. If you are unfamiliar with the meet up location, add a few minutes to your travel schedule so you can find it. Use the map (=>) to get directions.
Participants should be able to maintain a pace of three miles per hour and possess the ability to negotiate rocks, roots, low hanging branches, uncertain footing on hills, bridges and toxic plants in season. There is no parking lot. On street parking is available on one side of Oregon Hill Parkway.

• What to bring
Water bottle, clothing appropriate for the season, practical footwear.

• Important to know
Restroom facilities are available at the Potterfield Bridge and the Great Shiplock Park.

If you can’t make this one, they have scheduled a similar one for April 5.

New Proposal for Parking Decals

Oregon Hill is the only neighborhood in VCU’s perimeter to not have a parking decal program. A previous proposal for one experienced much controversy and was abandoned.

Now, Laurel Street neighbor William Cabell has come forward with a new proposal for a smaller portion of the neighborhood.

Attention Oregon Hill Neighbors: please see the attached proposal for a parking plan for a portion of our neighborhood. We will hold a community meeting to discuss the particulars of this proposal on February 15th at 9AM in St. Andrews.
My aim is to build a plan that includes the concerns of businesses and churches in our community as well as respect the needs of residents. Once this conversation takes place, I will ask OHNA permission to proceed with petitioning the residents of the affected area.
Renters will be entitled to a vote on the petition and will be able to purchase parking passes with a valid lease in hand. I need 60% agreement to proceed. The city will then survey the highlighted area and determine if parking restrictions are necessary. Each address is entitled to 2 year long passes at $25 a piece. Homeowners are able to purchase a year long guest pass for $35.
Church events, dinner parties, or gatherings in the neighborhood within the times of 7AM-9PM (M-F) that require parking for more than 2 hours can contact the city and declare the event. This will void parking restrictions for the allotted time.
If you have any comments or concerns please direct them to the email provided. I know this issue is a sensitive one and not everyone agrees or will agree but think we can find a mutually beneficial solution to a long running problem. This is something I believe needs to be addressed and hope I have your support.
Your Neighbor,
William

St. Andrew’s School Spaghetti Fundraiser on Feb. 7

Come celebrate 125 years of love and quality education with a fundraiser at St Andrews School at 227 S Cherry Street, 23220 in Oregon Hill!
Five bucks gets you a delicious spaghetti dinner with salad, rolls and iced tea (vegetarian option available) by Chef Ronni. Jazz combo will be playing some music. 5:30-6:30 on Friday February 7th. Please RSVP Amanda Kennedy at 648-4952 or drop off at front office. Donations welcome! Let’s join together as community for a great time and a good cause!

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association Meets Tuesday

Here is an email announcement from OHNA President Todd Woodson:

Dear Friends and Neighbors
We will hold our monthly OHNA meeting at 7pm this coming Tuesday, January 28 at St Andrews Church.
Our Sector 413 Richmond police Lt Roberts has been transferred. Im hoping we will meet our new sector leader.
Also, our VCUPD liaison, Officer Wade, is no longer with VCU. Hoping to meet his replacement as well.
We will hold the election for Vice president as there were no candidates at our November elections.
The will be a presentation by a neighbor seeking a zoning exemption for building an addition to a house on 500 block Pine St.
I will seek a resolution supporting a proposed ordinance which would restore and protect the historic tree canopy in Monroe Park. I am hopefully that our wonderful councilperson will submit this legislation.
We have a resident requesting for information on restricted parking for a limited area of the neighborhood.
We will recap the Opioid and naloxone training session recently held as well as the many new trees in the neighborhood and ways we can assure their survival. We can certainly have more Opioid Training sessions as required in the neighborhood.
Our City Council liaison Amy Robins will update us on City goings on as well.

Neighbors Planning Oregon Hill Garden Tour

From announcement:

(Holly Street neighbor)

Phaedra Hise is working to set up a garden tour in May!!!
Please help us spread the word…we are looking to visit 8-10 gardens
See the “event” page for more information
Assuming we get some interest generated, we will schedule organizational meeting(s) and create a flyer

More information available on Facebook event page.

Trees and more trees!

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association President Todd Woodson shares his enthusiasm:

The warm weather has got some trees blooming prematurely as well as some flowers. Cold weather is coming though.

Great news that we have many new street trees coming to Oregon Hill- some already planted and more wherever you see a red flag in a tree well. This is on top of the 11 we planted in November through a Community Roots Grant.

Oregon Hill Neighbors Watching The Corporate Moves!

From a watchful Oregon Hill neighbor:

Hi Scott,
As you can see from the attached photos, they completely removed the sandy beach in front of Tredgar that was very popular. They are also completely removing the Tredegar machinery, including the 35 ton wheel.

I guess you saw the TD article today where Navy Hill also wants to tap the state sales tax. Before long they will be tapping the water rates!