The state of Virginia will permanently protect a swath of underutilized land on Mayo’s Island, Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday.
Located in the heart of the James River, Youngkin said in a press release the state has finalized a new 14.5 acre conservation and open-space easement, protecting the property from development. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC) will hold and manage the space.
“Virginia is rich with an abundance of best-in-class outdoor recreational opportunities, and Richmond has the unique distinction of being the only urban city in the country that sits on Class IV rapids,” Youngkin said. “By establishing this new park and greenspace, visitors in the greater Richmond region, the Commonwealth, and the world can come and enjoy the wonders of the James River.”
Mayo’s Island was previously home to a baseball stadium, boat club, and music venue, but has a long history of flooding spanning three centuries. Plans include removing asphalt parking lots and industrial buildings from the island, and growing grasses, wildflowers, and a range of other plants in their place.
In 2022, the DRC awarded a $7.5 million Community Flood Preparedness Fund grant to the city, while the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation awarded another $1.5 million grant for the protection and restoration of the island.
The City of Richmond acquired the land in 2024 and will manage it as part of the James River Park System.
Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Stefanie Taillon said in a statement the project would not have occurred without the partnership between the state, the city of Richmond, and the CRLC.
“Through collaborative funding sources, like the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation and the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, we are able to deliver on projects, such as Mayo’s Island, that transform properties into new opportunities for recreation and protection,” Taillon said.
Established in 2020, the Community Flood Preparedness Fund supports localities across the state in planning for and increasing their capacity to reduce flood risks. Richmond plans to provide floodplain and wetlands restoration, including forested buffers, to develop Mayo’s Island’s existing buildings into parkland.
DCR Director Matthew Wells said the transformation of the island into open space will provide significant benefits both to the environment and flood resilience.
“DCR is proud to partner with the City of Richmond and Capital Region Land Conservancy to help protect and restore Mayo’s Island in the heart of the James River,” Wells said.
Demolition is expected to begin in phases by the end of the year, with a goal have the new park operational in October 2026.
“As the City of Richmond welcomes Mayo Island into the James River Park System, we celebrate more than a land purchase and the establishment of the conservation easement,” Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said. “We celebrate the power of vision, the strength of partnership, and our shared commitment to a thriving Richmond — one where our environment is sustainable, our neighborhoods are strong, and our river continues to flow at the heart of our city’s life.”
