JCC Notebook: Interpretive Center Opens, Ordinance Changes Start and More

By Desiree Parker Saturday, December 03, 2011

County New this week includes the grand opening of Freddom Park's new Interpretive Center, a few ordinance changes that have gone into effect and a firearms class happening soon.

James City County’s new Freedom Park Interpretive Center opened on Nov. 16 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.

The Interpretive Center features an artifacts exhibit, an interactive kiosk, an indoor meeting space with adjoining kitchen, an outdoor patio, an outdoor bike wash station, more accessible parking and a variety of environmentally green features.

James City County voters approved the purchase of Freedom Park in a 1994 bond referendum and in 2005 a bond referendum vote paved the way for $4.3 million in park improvement projects. The Interpretative Center concludes Phase III improvements.

The future Phase IV will include a playground and picnic shelters as well as visual interpretation at the site of the Engagement of Spencer’s Ordinary and the visual representation of the 17th century homestead.

Freedom Park is located at the intersection of Longhill and Centerville Road.

For the complete list of park and center amenities, meeting room rental fees, operating hours and more, please look online or call 757-259-4022.

In the picture are: Lafayette Jones, JCC Historical Commission; Ed Truslow, Sons of the American Revolution, Williamsburg Chapter; Alain Outlaw, Archeological & Cultural Solutions, Inc.; Kirk Moore, Eastern Virginia Mountain Bike Association; Robert Middaugh, JCC Administrator; Susan Powell, Virginia Master Naturalist; Jim Icenhour, Board of Supervisors; Angela Cingale, Williamsburg Botanical Garden; and Craig Metcalfe, JCC Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission.

Ordinance Changes

The James City County Board of Supervisors adopted amendments to various Development Standards ordinances at its November 22 meeting.

Ordinances with changes include outdoor lighting, landscaping, parking standards, private streets, pedestrian accommodations/sidewalks, timbering, and floodplain. The Board also adopted guidelines for the treatment of sound walls and an Outstanding Specimen Tree Option, and amendments to the Streetscape Policy. The ordinances, guidelines, and policies are available online as the attachments for public hearing agenda item 3.

These ordinance amendments are effective immediately and are applicable to all projects that are not legally vested (generally, they must have obtained preliminary approval of a site plan or subdivision). Staff members are happy to talk with folks who have questions about the ordinances or how the changes may impact a project. Contact the Planning Division at 253-6685 or planning@james-city.va.us.

Firearms Safety Class

The James City County Police Department will offer a free firearm safety class for adults.

The class will cover basic safety, handling and storage but will not include hands-on training. Personal firearms should be left at home in a secure location.

Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. Call the James City County Police Department at 253-1800 to register.

Grant funding received from the National Rifle Association Foundation and Project ChildSafe was used to purchase class materials and gunlocks. Free gunlocks are available at the class or by calling Sergeant Steve Humphries at 603-6022.

The class will be held on Jan. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Law Enforcement Center, 4600 Opportunity Way.