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News and Views

2025 Review

Letter from the President

Hello Friends,

The year 2025 has been a busy year for the Friends. Our multi-year azalea pond restoration project concluded in March when our new fountain and bubblers went live. It was a beautiful sight to behold after years of fund-raising. In the summer of 2024, the pond was drained, dredged, and the foundation repaired. Then there was a long wait for sufficient rainfall for the water height to support the fountain and bubblers. We enjoyed our beautiful work until late summer when the pond water turned brown and looked like a very large mud puddle. We asked the Parks department to examine what would be causing this problem, and to look at other heavily eroded pathways through the azalea garden. They contracted with Timmons engineers to study the situation. We await the report to see where we can go from here to restore the quality of the pond water.

-Another multi-year project is the creation of a pollinator meadow near the soccer fields and old tennis court area. Many layers of invasive plants were removed and in November, the first seeding of native meadow plants was completed. We're hoping for a good show this spring and summer.

-We continued our contract with Virginia Forestry and Wildlife Group to remove large-scale invasive infestations (too big for volunteers, such as the new meadow above). The Group completed an park-wide invasive plant study for us which will help focus our invasive removal energies.

-The Farmers Market - RVA Big Market - sets up in the azalea garden area every Saturday morning year-round and has seen huge growth with thousands attending in the summer months. The park continues to be popular with the soccer community and on many days, the disc golf course is used from sunup until sundown. Pickleball courts near the camphouse have developed a large following. Park popularity continues to grow with our neighbors and the surrounding area. People like to walk the trails, ride bikes, walks dogs, and picnic in the shelters. Our appeal is broad and deep.

-A local Scout has chosen the park for his Eagle project: the design and building of a trail head kiosk to be located near Jordan's Branch. We look forward to his final product which will include a park map.

We're proud of our work on invasive removal in several areas of the park, and of our tree planting and care efforts. We aim to be good stewards of this beautiful park. Come and join us if you share our goals.

Rick Sinsabaugh, President of Friends of Bryan Park

Fall Line Trail Update: According to city officials, construction on the park segment of the trail will begin in January and be completed in the summer of 2026. See article in the Richmonder here.

Friends projects and accomplishments

--Completed Azalea Garden pond and fountain restoration

--Monthly stream cleanups (excluding summer months)

--Weekly work sessions at Nature Center and nearby native plant beds (Gabriel's Prairie, Better Together, etc)

--Pollinator Meadow: invasive plants removed, soil prepared, native plants seeds selected and sown in November (near soccer fields)

--New trail maintenance leader steps up and begins work

--New trail blazed in the woods near Azalea Garden shed

--Invasive plant survey made of the entire park by our contractor Virginia Forestry and Wildlife Group

-- Weekly work sessions continue in the Azalea Garden. Azaleas were spectacular late March till early May

--New trees planted and maintained

--New volunteer coordinators came on board to get us organized in recruiting and tracking volunteers and their hours. Over 800 hours have been recorded since June.

Parks Department and other Departments were busy in the Park

--New modular restroom made operational! (near shelter 1)

--Shelter 3 parking paved and will be lined to improve parking options

--Dam removal project project is proceeding. Friends of BP involved.

--Nature Center (shelter 2) renovations underway, will include updated restroom

--Keeper's Cottage (at main entrance) restoration assessment completed

--Hired Timmons Group to assess the Azalea Garden watershed erosion issues

--Removed many large fallen or dead trees leaving behind wood chips pile

--Provided tools, supplies, and staff support for Friends' projects

The Friends appreciate all assistance from the city and enjoy a good working relationship with city departments.

New pollinator meadow

1925 spillway to be replaced during dam removal project. Use link below to learn more about the project

Bryan Park dam project

Azalea Pond August 2025

Volunteers have been busy this fall

We're grateful for corporate and educational groups who volunteer in the park: Amazon, Altria, University of Richmond, VCU women's lacrosse

Click the link below to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer

Monthly stream clean-ups on the 3rd Saturday of each month through May 2026

December 20, January 17, February 21

Meet at Shelter 1 at 9 am

Tools and supplies provided

Visit our Website

Visit our new Facebook page

It's a Great Park

red-shouldered hawk image by Jim Easton

The Friends of BP rely on the generosity and continued support of our donors.

We use our funds for major projects such as azalea pond improvement, planting of trees and native plants, hiring experts to help with an invasive survey and new meadow development, and for large maintenance projects beyond the scope of our excellent volunteers.

Please consider making a donation soon. Our mailing address is at the bottom of the newsletter, or click the donate link below.

Donate

State of the Park

The Friends of BP formed in 1994 to discourage the city from building an 18-hole golf course in the park. We were successful and ever since have tried to be good stewards of the park and to raise awareness of its value as a natural space for enjoyment by humans and wildlife.

The Friends have concerns about overuse of the park, resulting in traffic jams, parking on grass and close to trees, erosion by heavy foot traffic, and disturbance of safe habitats for wildlife.

Use the link below to send us your thoughts of potential overuse of the park and how we might mitigate overuse.

Send Message to Friends

Northern cardinal photo by Jim Easton

Box PO 15481

Richmond, VA 23227

info@friendsofbryanpark.org