2005 Governor's Conference on Greenways, Blueways & Trails Mobile Workshops Focused on Metro Richmond

To enhance educational opportunities and your conference experience, the conference offers 20 mobile workshops that build on session discussions and offer participants the chance to see ideas implemented in the field.  Mobile workshops take place on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, rain or shine.  Pre-registration for mobile workshops is required.

Canoe the Kanawha Canal

Take a canoe trip down the canal from the Byrd Park Pumphouse to Gamble's Hill with Bill Trout of the Virginia Canals and Navigation Society.  Learn about the waterway's development and a vision for this stretch of the canal.  Explore the challenges of providing recreational access to a canal system.  Workshop is on Monday, May 2.  Limited to 10 participants.

Richmond Canal Walk and Riverfront Enhancement

This workshop will focus on considerations for redeveloping or enhancing an urban riverfront.  Using Richmond as a case study, examine designs that blend quality development with public access to the river.  The workshop will also outline some of the criteria for state scenic river designation and how it can facilitate waterfront improvments.  Workshop will take place on both Monday, May 2, and Tuesday, May 3.

Museums on the Boulevard

How did the seven museums and attractions along Richmond's Boulevard pool their collective resources to dispel the myth that museums are stodgy, formal and unlikely to engage children?  Examine recently completed capital improvements as well as plans underway to create an urban greenway in this museum corridor.  Workshop is on Monday, May 2.  Limited to 50 participants.

The Evolution of Richmond's Transportation Systems

Gain an insider's perspective on the development of Richmond's transportation infrastructure and a vision for future possibilities.  Discussion topics will include bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, abandoned corridors with revitalization potential, and other alternative means of transportation.  Workshop is on Monday, May 2.  Limited to 40 participants.

Evaluating School Walkability and Bikeability

Learn the components of a Safe Routes to School program in a classroom session, then travel to an area school to evaluate the environmental factors affecting children who walk or bike to school.  After observing child, parent and driver behaviours when school is recessed, participants join a debriefing session on the engineering, enforcement and education factors that affect safe routes to school.  Workshop is on Monday, May 2.  Limited to 40 participants.

Oregon Hill Greenway Project

Take a walking tour of this neighborhood greenway project.  While the project is still underway, the community is actively developing major elements of the plan to connect neighborhood residents with the James River, local parks, schools and Richmond's central business district.  Workshop is on Tuesday, May 3.   Limited to 30 participants.

Challenges of the Urban Trail System

Take a walk in Richmond's James River Park and envrions to witness the challenges of maintaining and improving a trail system in a natural but urban setting.  Learn how volunteers have initiated trail and park improvements through fundraising and work projects.  Workshop is on Tuesday, May 3.  Limited to 24 participants.

Urban and Community Forestry in Richmond

Examine how a healthy and growing urban forest is a key component of community greenway programs.  Richmond's urban forest manager will showcase an innovative tree-inventory program and urban forest management techniques, as well as highlight the efforts of a volunteer organization that helps the city care for its trees.  Workshop is on Tuesday, May 3.  Limited to 30 participants.

The Slave Trail:  Developing a Thematic Trail

Learn how the City of Richmond tells an uncomfortable story from its past.  Walk along Manchester Slave Trail and learn about the struggle to have this powerful but unpopular story told.  Explore the steps to developing a thematic trail, including historical research, site development and even political maneuvering.  Workshop is on Monday, May 2.  Limited to 15 participants.

Capitol Square Construction Tour

Learn about plans to enhance Capitol Square's urban green space and linkage to other cultural and historical sites.  The workshop will also look at the preservation of a historic landmark in the face of current security levels, access needs and other design considerations.  Workshop is on Tuesday, May 3.

Walking in Historic Richmond:  Multiple Perspectives

What makes a great place?  How do land use, architecture and the built environment affect walkability?  Find out on a walking workshop that will feature excellent examples of good urban form and discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of different blocks with downtown Richmond.  Workshop is on Tuesday, May 3.

Developing a Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

A regional bicycle and pedestrian plan was recently completed for the metropolitan Richmond area.  Join the project consultants for a look at how the plan was developed, including identification of needs, collection and analysis of field data, and site recommendations.  Workshop is on Tuesday, May 3.  Limited to 20 participants.