Metallic, prehistoric creatures welcome visitors to three riverfront parks along the Appomattox River Trail (ART). These Atlantic sturgeons, an ancient species of fish (think dinosaurs) stand in statue form on the riverbanks. Located in Hopewell’s City Park, Roslyn Landing Park in Colonial Heights, and Petersburg’s Patton Park, they raise awareness for river conservation and celebrate public art in the tri-cities. Funded by CultureWorks, created by local artists, and supported by Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR), they’re bastions of community collaboration.
The majestic fish stand out on the landscape, with the largest being 14 feet long, hinting at the mysteries within the river itself. They prove “you don’t have to get muddy to enjoy the river,” says Heather Barrar, FOLAR regional trails program director.
This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue.
