Mayo Island park moves forward after city council conservation easement vote

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Mayo Island is yet another step closer to becoming a natural park after the Richmond City Council approved a conservation easement on Monday.

During a formal meeting on Monday, July 28, the city council voted to approve a conservation easement --- meaning the park is legally protected from any future development, including buildings, housing or commercial projects allowed -- for the James River island at 501 S. 14th Street.

This approval unlocks millions of dollars in state funding that the city can now use to build public park features, restore natural habitats and make the island accessible as they continue to finalize the park's design.

The city council voted to adopt the ordinance, which will be made available to the public and can house structures that support or strengthen activities in the area.

Mayo Island (Photo: City of Richmond)

This comes three months after the city's Planning Commission approved the project, days after the Urban Design committee unanimously approved the plan for the island to become a park on Thursday, May 15.

Mayo Island, a 16-acre site in the middle of the James River, which is used for industrial and parking purposes, will transform what they call an “underutilized and largely inaccessible 16-acre site” into a regional public park destination.

Since the future park's design still needs to be finalized, the proposal emphasized walking, biking and paddling access, with trails.