CRLC gives Trail of the Enslaved to the City of Richmond, protecting the land

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Capitol Region Land Conservancy (CRLC) has donated more than four acres of land to the City of Richmond, protecting the Trail of the Enslaved after years fighting for full ownership.

Richmond City Council members unanimously approved the acquisition in February 2025, after CRLC spent multiple years trying to gain complete ownership of the Trail of the Enslaved, formerly known as the Richmond Slave Trail.

On March 6, the city recorded a conversation and open-space easement with the CRLC and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), making sure that the land is permanently protected and limits development, according to a release from CRLC. This is due to a requirement of the grant from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF), as per the CRLC's announcement on Thursday, May 8.

“The City of Richmond continues to work in partnership o make strides in preserving history and helping to tell the whole story to our community," said Chris Frelke, Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. "The transfer of the Brander Street property to the City is a critical step in preserving the integrity of the Trail of the Enslaved. This act of stewardship ensures that the history, struggles, and resilience of those who endured enslavement are not only honored but protected for future generations. It is an essential commitment to both remembering the past and fostering a future where these stories are accessible, respected, and celebrated within the fabric of our community."

CRLC originally purchased the land from Norfolk Southern Railway Company in 2024 to secure public access. The land includes 2,100 feet of property for pedestrian use on the trail and more than 2,000 feet along the Ancarrow’s Access Trail for bikers and hikers.

“As co-holder of the conservation easement that protects roughly half of the James River Park System and its natural and cultural resources, we welcome adding this historically significant site,” said DCR Director Matthew Wells. “DCR is glad to continue working with Capital Region Land Conservancy in our partnership to expand public access to outdoor recreation in the Richmond region.”

The land transfer to Richmond allows for extended repairs and improvements to the trail, according to the release. CLRC said that the property was originally an "industrial infrastructure to the Manchester docks where enslaved Africans were transported and where the first rail line in Virginia operated."

“When City Council adopted the Richmond Riverfront Plan in 2012, it was a bold vision to embrace and enhance access to the James River," said CRLC Executive Director Parker C. Agelasto said. "With this land transfer and others over the past 5 years, CRLC is honored to have helped acquire three of the privately owned parcels identified in the plan by raising more than $13.5 million in grants and private philanthropy. Adding more than 25 acres of parkland in downtown and protecting these sites connects our residents and visitors to the unique history and nature.”