ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2025
PHOTO BY DAVE PARRISH
DEAR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS,
Park (“FOJRP” or the “Friends”). Please review this annual report for particulars of the many different projects we engage in to help protect, enhance and expand our beloved Park.
We continue to work closely with Park staff, particularly Superintendent Andrew Alli and his predecessor, Giles Garrison, on virtually every project we undertake. This relationship is crucial to our and their success as one of our goals is to amplify their efforts by supporting projects that are above and beyond the budget they are allocated by the City of Richmond.
This year, we successfully completed the highly anticipated Natural Resource Management Plan (“NRMP”). This comprehensive assessment, prioritization and planning tool will help guide activities and stewardship throughout the Park for years to come. We also completed work on one of the key Belle Isle improvement plans, the Nature Exploration Area. Additionally, our funding of invasive species removal initiatives has yielded impressive results, restoring native plant species and fostering a healthier ecosystem. These efforts not only improved Park safety but also ensured that the trails could be enjoyed sustainably by more visitors.
We also worked with hundreds of volunteers throughout the year, leveraging thousands of hours of labor to improve Park conditions. Most of these volunteers work as part of outings arranged by local companies, which has been a great way for us to learn more about local organizations that share our values. Dominion Energy, CoStar, HCA, Afton Chemical, Meta and Carmax are just some of
The Friends could not do what we do in the Park without your support. Accordingly, we thank you for your donations which support us financially, we thank the countless volunteers who pick up trash, remove graffiti, staff tables at events, work on trails, etc., and we thank Park users for their personal responsibility in their use of the Park. We also thank those who have a James River Park license plate which provides a significant annual revenue stream for the Friends. Seeing so many of these plates around town always brings a smile.
Supporters are the life blood of our organization, and we hope you will continue to support the Friends as we help with bigger projects such as the incorporation of Mayo Island into the Park and future improvements to Belle Isle. These are exciting times!
I also wish to thank our Board members who are engaged, thoughtful and passionate about what we do in the Park. Their support of the Park continues to amaze me as does your support.
It has been an exciting year for James River Park and there is so much more to come. We hope to see you around the Park!
Best regards,
Dave Broocke President, Friends of the James
River Park
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
As the fiscal year 2024-2025 draws to a close, the Friends of the James River Park is proud to reflect on a period of remarkable growth, deepened community engagement, and significant strides in the stewardship of our beloved James River Park System. This past year has been defined by the dedication of our staff, board of directors, volunteers, and, most importantly, our generous supporters, whose commitment has enabled us to achieve impactful results across all facets of our mission.
We spend our funds in four different ways:
PROTECTION
These are funds used to directly support conservation efforts in the JRPS. Here are some of the conservation projects we worked on this year.
NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN
We completed work on the JRPS Natural Resource Management Plan. This important document will guide future conservation work and recreational development in the Park. The plan establishes conservation goals for nearly every section of the Park, and provides guidance for how those goals can be achieved. We are excited to have this plan as out lodestar for the near and long term.
INVASIVE TREE REMOVAL
We supported invasive tree removal projects near the Manchester Climbing Wall, the 22nd street entrance to the Park, and along Riverside Dr. This work was targeted primarily at Ailanthus trees that had been previously treated to prevent regrowth.
DOCK STREET PARK SOLARIZATION PROJECT
We worked with the FOJRP Invasive Species Management team to plan and execute a project to “solarize” a large section of Dock Street Park. This involved covering a large patch of invasive grass with greenhouse plastic. The heat from the sun will kill the invasive plants and seed banks over the course of the Summer. The plastic will be removed in the Fall, providing a blank slate for native plants to take hold. This project was made possible with support from Ocean Network Express (ONE).
HIRED INVASIVE SPECIES STAFF AS PERMANENT FOJRP EMPLOYEES
In the Fall of 2024 we made a commitment to the Invasive Species Management team that has been working as contractors in the Park since 2020. We hired them as employees and cemented their work as a permanent part of what we do to support the JRPS. We also hired a skilled supervisor for that team, and we look forward to seeing them lead our efforts to implement the JRPS Natural Resource Management Plan.
ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH
Running a nonprofit like Friends of the James River Park takes a lot of effort and, of course, some funding. We wanted to give you a peek into how your support helped us make a difference! We're excited to show you all the ways we invested our time and resources to strengthen our organization, from improving our infrastructure to boosting our fundraising efforts.
UPDATED PAYROLL/WORKERS COMP INSURANCE
Starting in July of 2024 we began the process of working with the new payroll company, Dominion Payroll. This was done so that we could more easily hire new employees, and because we were not satisfied with our previous payroll vendor. This switch directly supported our ability to hire the ISM team as employees and have them covered under workers' compensation insurance.
HIRED FRACTIONAL CFO
In the Fall, we identified the need to plan for the replacement of our board treasurer and the future of financial management at FOJRP. It was concluded that we would begin the search for a fractional CFO/accounting firm that can help us manage our finances as we grow. We hired the firm Trustward, and have been working with Dan McDonough as our Fractional CFO since April 2025.
ESTABLISHED 401K PROGRAM
As part of establishing a better compensation package for employees, the FOJRP board approved a 3% 401k matching program. This will help recruit and retain future employees.
BOARD LEADERSHIP
Our dedicated Board of Directors met 11 times to provide exceptional strategic guidance and oversight throughout the year. The board’s diverse expertise and unwavering commitment are instrumental in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities, ensuring the organization's strong fiscal health and mission alignment.
BOARD RECRUITMENT
This fiscal year, we added four new members and rotated to a whole new Executive Committee. We also developed a board member survey to assess the future needs of our board and identify skill gaps. We look forward to adding several new members in the new Fiscal Year.
ENHANCEMENT
Generally, enhancement projects are ways for us to directly impact Park user experiences and improve conditions for Park staff.
JRPS STAFF SUPPORT
We continue to host a monthly breakfast program to support the JRPS Staff. This has been one of our most successful initiatives. It helps us build stronger relationships with Park staff, which puts us in a better position to be able to invest in their ideas and help the Park.
EQUIPMENT SUPPORT
This year, we supported the purchase of a mini-excavator for Park and trail use. This important piece of equipment has made a major difference in the effectiveness and efficiency of the trail team. We also helped purchase new tools throughout the year, including tools to support better climbing wall management.
VOLUNTEER MOBILIZATION
The heart of our organization remains our incredible volunteers. This fiscal year, we mobilized hundreds of volunteers who contributed thousands of hours to various Park projects, from trail work to clean-ups and invasive plant removal initiatives.
BELLE ISLE CLIMBING WALL SUPPORT
We worked with volunteers and the JRPS operations team to replace the railing above the Belle Isle quarry. We also supported equipment purchased and volunteer hours to fix up the climbing wall and make it a better experience for Park users.
These projects and expenses range from simple items like new tools for Park staff, to larger capital expenditures like the work we are doing to improve recreation on Belle Isle.
PUMP HOUSE WINDOW SUPPORT
We are still working with FOPH to complete Pump House window project this Summer. That project is ongoing and nearing completion. When completed, the whole first floor of the Pump House will have new windows. The goal of the project is to improve the look and security of the building.
OFFICE TRAILER SUPPORT
We funded the delivery of a new office trailer at Reedy Creek for use by JRPS staff. This important space reduces stress on the Reedy Creek Nature Center, and allows the Superintendent to have a private space for meetings.
BELLE ISLE ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS
We made significant progress towards our Belle Isle projects this year. With the support from the Robin’s Foundation and 2nd Presbyterian Church, the Nature Exploration Area has the funding necessary to begin construction this Summer. We also began design work on the Belle Isle Nail Shed and Belle Isle Gateway Conservation Landscaping projects. We will continue to make progress on these projects in the new fiscal year.
EXPANSION
Opportunities to expand the JRPS are few and far between. We support these projects when they pop up in a variety of ways. Normally we work with our partners at the City of Richmond and Capital Region Land Conservancy to provide funding when necessary to support expanding the JRPS. There was only one major expansion of the JRPS in the last fiscal year, and it was a big one.
MAYO ISLAND SUPPORT
In the Spring we actively supported the City of Richmond's visionary $16 million budget proposal to transform Mayo Island into a public Park. Our advocacy efforts played a crucial role in highlighting the immense potential of this project to expand green space, enhance public access, and create a new urban oasis in the heart of the city. We look forward to seeing this project progress.
PHOTO BY DAVE PARRISH
EVENTS
The 2025 Wood River Run was an overwhelming success, bringing together a fantastic group of runners and community members. This annual memorial race honors the life of Christian Wood, a talented young kayaker who found his joy on the James River. With over 200 participants and an outpouring of generosity, the event raised nearly $36,000! These funds not only support our general operations but also contribute to the Christian Wood Scholarship Program, helping to send deserving kids to Passages Adventure Camp in Christian's memory. The energy and enthusiasm on the trails were a true testament to the positive impact the Park has on our lives.
ART, INSPIRATION, AND CONSERVATION
In September 2024, we celebrated the beauty of the James River in a different way at our inaugural Camera to Canvas event. This unique art auction paired the stunning photography of board member Bill Draper with the creative talents of local artists. The result was a spectacular collection of one-of-a-kind artworks that captured the essence of the James River Park System. The silent and live auctions were a huge hit, with hundreds of you joining us in person and online. Thanks to your participation, Camera to Canvas raised nearly $75,000, which will directly support our conservation efforts in the Park.
Thank you to everyone who ran, donated, bid, and celebrated with us. Your passion for the James River Park System makes these events possible and ensures we can continue our important work. We can't wait to see you at our next event!
Thank you to our sponsors for these events:
FINANCES
In fiscal year 2025, Friends of the James River Park saw another year of financial growth and maturing stewardship. For the fifth consecutive year, FOJRP increased total revenue, a testament to the generosity of our supporters and the success of new fundraising strategies. Foundation giving and event revenue were particularly strong, compared to prior years.
Other revenue sources, including individual donations and corporate sponsorships, also performed well, with corporate giving increasing by more than $40K. Although government grant spending was slower than expected due to reimbursement timing, several new restricted grants were secured during the year, enhancing FOJRP’s financial stability for the future.
ENHANCED FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT
To further strengthen financial governance, FOJRP retained Trustward, a Richmond-based fractional finance and accounting firm, to oversee our financial strategy and board-level reporting. Dan McDonough, Partner at Trustward, was engaged as Fractional CFO to lead quarterly financial reviews with our Board of Directors and Executive Team. Dan brings deep expertise in nonprofit finance and strategic planning, and his stewardship is helping FOJRP better navigate the complexities of multi-source funding, cash management, and long-range fiscal planning.
BOARD
G. JACOB (JAKE) SAVAGE, III
Past President
JANET WOODKA Vice President
SHAWNA SHADE Office
Administrator
Mel Smith
Krista Weatherford
Charlie Williams
ABOUT THE BOARD
We could not be successful without the dedicated strategic thinking and oversight provided by our Board of Directors. These volunteers advise the Executive Director, help raise crucial funding and are directly responsible for the financial well being of the organization. Their work makes an impact on every Park user every day, and we appreciate their contributions.
THANK YOU
As we close the books on an incredibly successful fiscal year, we are filled with optimism for the future of the James River Park System. The dedication of our community, staff, and volunteers has made 2025 a year of remarkable progress, but it's just the beginning. Looking ahead, our vision is to build on this momentum by making a significant investment in the conservation of this incredible natural resource.
Your support will allow us to deepen our commitment to ecological stewardship. As part of our commitment to the JRPS Natural Resource Management Plan, we plan to expand our efforts in habitat restoration, protect vulnerable species, and enhance the Park's resilience against environmental challenges. This isn't just about preserving what we have; it's about actively working to create a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem for all to enjoy. Together, we can ensure that the James River Park System remains a vital sanctuary for both people and wildlife for generations to come. Thank you for being a part of this journey. We can't wait to see what we'll accomplish together
- Josh Stutz, Executive Director