Low Line Green Enhances Downtown Richmond's Riverfront

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Capital Trees is celebrating a milestone many years in the making: Low Line Green is now complete!

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During this time of continued physical distancing and essential need for more outdoor space, downtown Richmond now has another public space along the riverfront where people can safely enjoy some time outside.

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Capital Trees is the urban greening non-profit organization responsible for the creation and maintenance of the Low Line, the beloved linear garden that runs alongside the Virginia Capital Trail between Great Shiplock Park and the Floodwall. Their latest project, Low Line Green, has reclaimed 1.5 acres of land just beyond the Floodwall doors at Dock and 17th Streets and created a new public plaza and garden adjacent to the James River and Kanawha Canal.

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Prior to Capital Trees' monumental fundraising effort and re-design of the area, visitors to the Capital Trail and Canal Walk were faced with an awkward space to navigate, including dirty pools of standing water accumulating by the runoff from I-95 and the Downtown Expressway overhead.

Today, Low Line Green brings a new plaza and trailhead — complete with maps and information — an outdoor classroom, new pedestrian-scale lighting, nearly 2,000 new plants (90% of which are native), and stormwater treatment to an area that has been overlooked for decades.

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Capital Trees has reoriented the plaza to make it more comfortable for people using the Virginia Capital Trail, eliminating some of the pre-existing sharp turns and facilitating a smoother transition for those riding by bike onto the Canal Walk. The addition of bike racks and places to sit makes it the perfect place to take a break after your ride, run, or stroll on the VCT before heading into downtown.

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Capital Trees is committed to maintaining the "Green" and keeping it beautiful, just as they have continued to do with the Low Line Gardens. If you would like to support or get involved with their efforts, more information can be found here.

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Have fun exploring the newest addition to downtown's riverfront!