Pony Pasture Rapids facts for kids

Pony Pasture Rapids, often just called Pony Pasture, is a cool part of the James River Park System in Richmond, Virginia. It's on the south side of the James River, near the Huguenot Bridge. People love Pony Pasture for hiking, swimming, kayaking, and fishing. It's a great spot for Richmond residents to enjoy nature without leaving the city.

Park helpers and money from recycling projects made it easier to get to the rapids. These rapids are a Class II, which means they are a good starting point for many rafters and kayakers. Besides the rapids, Pony Pasture Park offers many other fun outdoor activities. There's also Williams Island, a large, empty island in the middle of the James River. Pony Pasture also has the biggest parking lot in the James River Park System.

History of Pony Pasture Park

Pony Pasture was once an unused piece of land. It became part of the City of Richmond in 1969. Back then, it was known as "The Rocks." The area had a reputation for being unsafe because there wasn't much security. When the James River Park System started in 1970, Pony Pasture was often overlooked.

However, over time, Pony Pasture changed a lot. It went from being an unsafe area to a great place for families. Now, it's known as an easy way to get to the James River. It's also a popular spot for other outdoor fun like trail running, biking, and watching birds. Park officials say that volunteers now help manage crowds, so police aren't needed as much on weekends.

Exploring the Pony Pasture Rapids

The rapids are a major reason why people visit Pony Pasture. These Class II rapids are part of the James River's main channel. Thanks to park volunteers and money from recycling, it's easy to get to the water. The Park System helped create special access points for rafting, kayaking, and canoeing.

There are stairs that lead right into the river. They even have a special launch area for canoes, kayaks, and rafts. Many rafters start their trip at Pony Pasture. They might go all the way to Belle Isle, another popular river spot in Richmond. It's free to use the rapids. However, rafting is not allowed if the water level is too high for safety. Most kayak and raft trips starting at Pony Pasture end at Pipeline Rapids or Reedy Creek. The rapids are a very popular part of Pony Pasture. They even helped give the park its name, "Pony Pasture Rapids."

Other Fun Things to Do at Pony Pasture

Besides the rapids, Pony Pasture is a busy place for outdoor activities in the Greater Richmond Region. In spring and summer, you'll often see people swimming in the James River. The water here is usually shallow and warm. Pony Pasture is also a great place to fish. You can find bass and sunfish there all year.

Walking or running on the trails along the river is very popular. You can also ride bikes on these trails. There's an area connected to Pony Pasture called "The Wetlands." It's a quieter spot to explore. The Wetlands has sandy beaches along the river. It also has special spots for watching birds.

You might see ducks, herons, turtles, and beavers at Pony Pasture. Pets are allowed throughout the park. So, it's common to see people walking their dogs there. Other activities include rock-climbing, studying nature, photography, and having picnics.

Discovering Williams Island

Williams Island is a large, 100-acre island in the middle of the James River. It's right across from Pony Pasture. This island is officially part of the James River Park System. The park system takes care of the land, allowing people to visit. You can get to Williams Island from Pony Pasture by swimming, kayaking, or canoeing. When the water is low, you can even "rock-hop" across.

The island is a popular place because it's undeveloped and quiet. Like Pony Pasture, Williams Island is good for fishing, hiking, and watching animals. According to park manager Ralph White, the island has been home to many creatures. These include deer, black bears, raccoons, skunks, and wild turkeys.

You can clearly see a large dam, called the "Z-dam," from the island's south side. The Z-dam was built in 1905 and rebuilt in 1932. In 1993, a 30-foot opening was made in the dam. This helps fish swim through it during their migrations. The Z-dam makes the river split into two different channels around the island. Williams Island used to belong to the City of Richmond's Public Utilities Department. But in 2012, the James River Park System was allowed to use it as a wildlife refuge. They also got the rights to Lord Delaware's Island.