James City County wants to hear from residents about the locality’s three waterfront park facilities.
In 2009, the county developed the Shaping Our Shores Master Plan to guide the development of Chickahominy Riverfront Park, Jamestown Beach Event Park and the James City County Marina.
For the first time in a decade, the county is reconsidering the Master Plan to update it with current planning and environmental requirements, address changing community needs, generate revenue, and complement existing infrastructure, officials said.
As these parks have become an important part of the county’s character, James City County wants to hear from residents on the following topics:
- What amenities should be added and/or considered in these three parks? If any, why?
- What amenities and/or features should be removed? If any, why?
- Any additional comments on these three waterfront parks?
- Are you a resident of James City County, Williamsburg or York County? If not, in which other locality do you live?
Before answering the questions, the county encourages residents to review the improvements, challenges and proposals for each park.
Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Since 2009, several improvements have been made to the park however, there are still items that need to be addressed including:
- Adding a JCC Service Authority Water Treatment Plant.
- Relocating long-term trailer parking to the front corner of the park.
- Removing the second entrance.
- Adding camper amenities.
- Adding a second rowing building.
- Adding a walkway down to the river.
James City County Marina
In 2015, the county’s Board of Supervisors leased 10 acres of the park to the Economic Development Authority, which was then leased to Billsburg Brewery. The EDA is still actively searching for food and restaurant options at the park as well.
Since 2009, the following have been addressed at the park:
- Elimination of the parking peninsula.
- Removal of condos, hotel and retail shops.
- Relocated Marina office building.
- Relocate dry stack.
- Added short-term trailer parking.
- Moved long-term boat storage.
- Added a second entrance.
- Added semi-permanent tent.
- Relocated proposed restaurant service area.
- Relocated the boat ramp, canoe launch and fuel dock.
- Added an observation pier.
Jamestown Beach Event Park
Since 2009, there have been nearly $400,000 in grants given to the park for various changes. However, those changes have limited the existing archaeological and historic sites. To address that, county staff recommends:
- Relocating the fishing pier to the far end of the beach.
- Add restrooms and parking for events.
- Add an event tent to be used with the Amblers House.
- Realign the park entrance along Jamestown Road to intersect with the road leading to the Marina.
- Close a portion of Greensprings Road and align it to intersect with Jamestown Road.
- Add a long-term boat storage location.
- Add a public or private Running Center to support community events.
To learn more or give opinions on the Master Plan, visit James City County online and take the online survey.
The county will host a community meeting for discussion at 2 p.m. on Nov. 21 and at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 25 at the James City County Recreation Center.
