Belle Isle access cut off, park still open

For VCU students looking to enjoy their weekend and next week’s spring break outdoors, Belle Isle is often the first spot considered. The recent closure of the two primary footbridges to the island makes it more difficult now to enjoy the historic island’s beauty.

While Belle Isle is not formally closed, accessing it can be difficult without the use of the two main walking bridges, which have both been blocked from pedestrian use.

“Belle Isle as a park is not closed,” said Park Manager Ralph White. “You can reach it legally, but with some difficulty, by crossing the dry rocks beginning at the base of the access tower at the 22nd Street entrance.”

Despite the park being open, White said that people are asked not to visit the island, mainly due to maintenance issues.

“The big problems on Belle Isle right now,” White said, “are the build-up of trash and recyclables in the litter bins and the disgusting and unserviceable, overflowing Porta-John.”

Waste from the island is being removed, without vehicles, by both park staff and volunteers according to White. Recyclables are being stored in a shed on the island.

Some students, like crafts major Kristi Totoritis, choose some of the less popular park locations on the James River to visit and are not affected by the bridge closures.

“I don’t go to Belle that much,” said Totoritis. “I’ll probably just end up going to 42nd Street or other areas.”

The main footbridge, suspended beneath the Robert E. Lee bridge, was closed last week after a 3-foot-long, 2-foot-wide piece of concrete fell from the Lee Bridge and landed on the walking bridge. The footbridge is expected to be closed for weeks as a protective scaffolding is built over it.

On the south bank of the James River another access bridge, used by emergency and maintenance crews, has been closed since last month due to faulty welds and cracks found in its support structure.

Although Belle Isle is considered to be the most popular site by the James River Park Web site, there are several other locations on the James that are easily accessed by
the public.

Further down Riverside Drive from the 22nd Street entrance are the Reedy Creek and 43rd Street parking lots. On the North shore at the end of Texas Avenue is Texas Beach, the most remote and isolated section of the park according to the James River Park’s Web site.