Comments on: Discovering Swan Lake’s Island

By: Paddling Around the Island ‹ Byrd Park

Paddling Around the Island ‹ Byrd Park — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 02:11:03 +0000

[...] first curiosity to satisfy was the island. Although, it would seem that man had never set foot on the island, there were signs [...]

By: Jackster

Jackster — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:16:04 +0000

If they don’t want anyone on the island, I’m extremely curious as to where and how they will “post signs.” If these signs are anything like the large posted, Thin Ice signs installed around the lakes this past winter and removed this spring, it should be interesting. Maybe they can use the proverbial “sky hook” to hang them on so they don’t have to bore big holes in the island.

By: Byrd Park » The Island is Off Limits - Richmond, Virginia

Byrd Park » The Island is Off Limits - Richmond, Virginia — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:15:28 +0000

[...] concerning our planned voyage to uncover the mysteries of the island in the middle of Swan Lake. From Michael Paul Dodson, a recent Byrd Park Civic League [...]

By: Michael D

Michael D — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 19:41:04 +0000

Please note that signs will be posted shortly as the Park’s Department does not want anyone on the island. It will not only disturb the few spots free of humans (except for the annual egg collection), it is probably not great for your health either. Lot of animal waste and nests of mother birds that might not take to kindly to your visit.

JR Pope, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Foundations made this announcement at the Park Advisory Board meeting in July.

PS Jason and all swimmer were in Shields Lake, Swan Lake actually had water sking shows at one time with motor boats…can you imagine that in such a small lake.

By: paul h

paul h — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:33:26 +0000

From Richmond Then and Now "WILLIAM BYRD PARK, entrance S. end of Boulevard, is a 300 acre recreation area with roads through peaceful groves and around three artificial lakes, ... It has bathing, tennis, and other athletic facilities. "Swimming: Shields Lake, Byrd Park, S. end of Boulevard at Idlewood Ave., open summer months, free" Here's kind of a cool photo. Reference is Virginia, A Guide to the Old Dominion Published 1940

By: jasonguard

jasonguard — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:31:45 +0000

Since posting this, I’ve brought the topic up here and there. I’m showing my youthful and cultural ignorance here, but it seems that the lakes had entirely different policies prior to integration and white flight. At least for a stretch, when Byrd Park neighborhood was predominately black, you could still swim in at least one of the lakes and play on Swan Lake’s island. Some folks in the neighborhood were around for that. I’d like to get more of the story. Can any of you readers share some insights? How long has it been since people were allowed on the island?

By: jasonguard

jasonguard — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:13:19 +0000

Since posting this, I’ve brought the topic up here and there. I’m showing my youthful and cultural ignorance here, but it seems that the lakes had entirely different policies prior to integration and white flight. At least for a stretch, when Byrd Park neighborhood was predominately black, you could still swim in at least one of the lakes and play on Swan Lake’s island. I’d like to get more of that story. Can any of you readers share some insights?

By: Rosewood Ken

Rosewood Ken — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:07:03 +0000

Ha! This is great – definitely a good reason to buy a Kayak… or 2.

By: Marc

Marc — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 11:39:03 +0000

I agree in principle with Patricia about having habitats untouched by man. However it’d be a real stretch to apply that to the Swan Lake island even today. The entire Swan Lake is artificial in the first place, and the geese population has more or less evolved to depend entirely on trash and handouts from humans.

Not to mention, I find it hard to believe that in 80+ years of existence no one has ever swum or boated out to the island. I’m kind of wondering if we’ll find Jimmy Hoffa buried there :) .

By: jay

jay — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:02:58 +0000

I’m thinking we send an expedition to do some recon (probably a night expedition). Stake the Byrd Park flag on the island (do we have a flag?, civic league topic for sure). Then build a clubhouse and commence secret society meetings

By: jasonguard

jasonguard — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 19:00:53 +0000

I sympathize with the idea of leaving the floating mound of goose poop untouched by man. But, I also have an inner child who just had to turn over every rock in the creek, hoping to find a new kind of salamander. I don’t personally have any plans to visit the island, but I don’t know what I’d do if my neighbor pulled out a rowboat and invited me to go exploring.

By: Patricia Herrera

Patricia Herrera — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:06:42 +0000

I would like to see it banned from man – Can’t there be untouched habitats from us for the wild anywhere? I am curious to read stories about the island though!

By: Phil Riggan

Phil Riggan — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:46:31 +0000

I’ve been on the James many times, and whenever geese are plentiful, so is the poop. I’ve wondered about the island myself, but never thought I needed to explore it. I’ll let the geese keep this one to themselves and do my exploring on the James. I am tempted to go paddle boating on Fountain Lake though….