The Commonwealth of Virginia has finalized the permanent protection of 14.5 acres on Mayo’s Island, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced in Richmond. The conservation and open-space easement, completed this week, will prevent future development on the island and enable its conversion into a public park managed by the City of Richmond as part of the James River Park System.
The easement is co-held by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC), an accredited nonprofit land trust. This action fulfills requirements under state grant programs that contributed funding to acquire and restore Mayo’s Island. In 2022, DCR provided a $7.5 million Community Flood Preparedness Fund grant to Richmond, while the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation awarded $1.5 million to CRLC for this project.
Richmond took ownership of Mayo’s Island in January 2024 using these funds. The city plans to remove asphalt parking lots and industrial buildings from the site, which has experienced repeated flooding over three centuries, and replace them with meadow grasses, wildflowers, and other native plants.
Governor Glenn Youngkin stated: “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. 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.”
Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Stefanie Taillon said: “This project could not have occurred without the partnership between the Commonwealth, the City of Richmond, and the Capital Region Land Conservancy. 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.”
The Community Flood Preparedness Fund was created in 2020 to help localities plan for flood risk reduction efforts across Virginia by supporting mitigation projects.
DCR Director Matthew Wells commented: “The transformation of Mayo’s Island into open space will provide significant environmental and flood resilience benefits, while at the same time creating a much-needed recreational outlet for the area. 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.”
Demolition work is expected to start later this year on part of Mayo’s Island; city officials anticipate opening portions as a public park by October 2026.
Richmond Mayor Danny Avula added: “As the City of Richmond welcomes Mayo Island into the James River Park System, we celebrate more than a land purchase and establishment of a conservation easement. We celebrate power of vision, strength of partnership, our shared commitment to a thriving Richmond — one where our environment is sustainable, our neighborhoods are strong, and our river continues to flow at heart of our city’s life.”
Since 2021 CRLC has advocated for making Mayo’s Island a public park—raising an additional $1 million toward acquisition costs from previous owners (the Shaia Family), applying for grants such as VLCF’s award used here,and conducting due diligence during negotiations.
L. Preston Bryant Jr., President of CRLC said: “Following success of other DCR co-held riverfront conservation easement projects like Dock Street & Brander Street CRLC recognized unique timing for state grant funding that could fulfill City’s comprehensive plan by working to acquire Mayo’s Island.We understood singular opportunity this presented & also its challenges but were undeterred as dedicated staff partnered with incredible team to protect these additional 14.5 acres.It is therefore with great privilege that CRLC has assembled 25 acres additional parkland on James River in downtown Richmond since 2021.”
