Trail meetings set tonight and tomorrow in Richmond

Richmond City Councilman Douglas G. Conner Jr. will go to the public tonight about his proposal to convert an abandoned railroad line in South Richmond into a trail for bikers and hikers.

The proposed South Side greenway is the centerpiece of Conner's monthly 9th District meeting, scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at Southside Baptist Ministries at 5515 Bryce Lane off of Hull Street Road. The Partnership for Smarter Growth and the Rails to Trails Conservancy are assisting Conner in the presentation, which will outline a proposal to develop a 2.3-mile trail on an abandoned rail line and discuss the potential for using greenways to connect communities and parks throughout the region.

The rail spur, owned by CSX Transportation Corp., extends from Cofer Road near Jefferson Davis Highway to Westover Hills Boulevard just west of George Wythe High School. Conner and Richmond parks officials hope to eventually link the line to another proposed trail along Reedy Creek to Forest Hill Park.

In addition to tonight's meeting, a work session is scheduled tomorrow night to discuss the development of greenway projects throughout the region. The Capital Region Greenway Forum will hold its bi-monthly work session at the roundhouse in Richmond's Byrd Park from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

-- Michael Martz