Donate
Donate

Brown's Island Improvement Project

Join the Transformation of Brown's Island

 
JUMP TO SECTION:

Project Overview | Renderings | Donate | Project History
Environmental Stewardship Priorities | Construction Updates

 

 

Project Overview

Brown’s Island may be small, but it holds a big place in the hearts of Richmonders and visitors alike. There were over a million visits to this tiny island last year—for concerts, festivals, scenic walks, work breaks, and school trips.​

Despite its popularity, Brown’s Island lacks basic infrastructure—no water fountains, no flushing toilets—yet it continues to host major events and countless visitors. But as its appeal grows, so do its challenges.​

Now there's a big-time transformation underway to add big-time improvements to Brown's Island

[NEW - 12/25] Brown's Island Improvement Plan Renderings [05 - The Point]
A large deck terrace, redesigned stairs, shade sails, and an interactive splash pad will transform the entrance plaza at the 7th Street pedestrian bridge.

The Project Will:

  • Include over $30 million in enhancements

    • $15 million committed by the City of Richmond and over $15 million being raised by Venture Richmond from the community

  • Enhance visitor experience for 1M+ visitors annually

  • Support nature and the environment

  • Provide critical infrastructure for events and recreation

  • Ensure accessibility for all people, regardless of ability

  • Increase support for education, ecotourism, history and the arts

  • Make Brown’s Island the perfect place to “get away to it all”

  

Your support will help bring the vision for Brown’s Island to life.

Thanks to generous support from the City of Richmond, corporate and foundation funders and individual donors, we’ve made tremendous progress toward bringing this vision to life. Now, we’re inviting the entire community to be part of the future of Brown’s Island.

Your donation to the Brown’s Island Improvement Project will help us reach our goal and create a more welcoming, accessible and vibrant Brown’s Island for everyone - with safe, accessible pathways, interactive play areas for children, gathering spaces for families and friends, and environmental improvements that will benefit our community for generations to come.

Every gift, at every level, will help make the new Brown’s Island possible.

Donate Now

Additional Ways to Give

There are many ways to support the Brown’s Island Improvement Project.
Make an impact through a donor-advised fund, IRA distribution, gift of stock or property, and more.

Additional Ways to Give

Contact Maryanne Serignese, Campaign & Development Manager at mserignese@venturerichmond.com for more information.

History of the Project

Venture Richmond started working on the Brown’s Island Improvement Plan in 2018 and received conceptual approval from the City Planning Commission in December 2019. The final project plans were approved by the City’s Urban Design and Planning Commissions in May 2025. The City of Richmond kickstarted the fundraising with its $15 million commitment to the project and the island officially closed for construction on November 17, 2025. Venture Richmond continues fundraising efforts through 2026. Brown’s Island is planned to temporarily reopen in time to host the Richmond Folk Festival October 9-11, 2026, with full project completion anticipated in early 2027.

[NEW - 12/25] Brown's Island Improvement Plan Renderings [14 - River Terrace]
The new Riverfront Terraces and the removal of invasive species will provide unobstructed river views along one of the most unique sections of the James River.

Environmental Stewardship Priorities

The Brown’s Island Improvement Project prioritizes environmental sustainability through native plant restoration, improved stormwater management, and resilient design that protects the riverfront ecosystem for future generations.

This project will:

  • Restore more than 16,500 square feet of riparian buffer along the James River

  • Remove 100% of invasive species, particularly along the river’s edge

  • Plant 200 trees (85% native)

  • Add 11,700+ native, pollinator-supportive plants and groundcovers; increasing native species composition to 99% 

Board Testimonial

“Venture Richmond was created to engage business and community leaders in partnering with the City of Richmond to enhance the vitality of our community. It is work we take very seriously; downtown’s economic and cultural success are essential to the City’s and region’s growth. The Brown’s Island Improvement Project will transform the island into a world-class riverfront park available to all Richmonders. We proudly invite our community’s many generous businesses, foundations, families and individuals to join us in supporting this important work to elevate our Downtown Riverfront.”

– Farhad Aghdami, Board Chair and member of the Campaign Leadership Committee

Construction Updates

Construction Timeline

timeline graphic

Brown's Island Detours

  • Brown’s Island is closed to public access during construction. Full project completion is anticipated in early 2027.

  • The Canal Walk on Brown’s Island detours during construction. Follow detour signs on Tredegar Street to the Haxall Point Bridge on the eastern end of Brown’s Island near 10th Street.

  • The T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge will generally remain open throughout construction and will be accessible from Tredegar Street at the western end of the island. Follow detour signs.

  

Brown's Island Construction Timelapse (features footage up until October 1, 2026)