Homearama kicks off June 1 at River Mill

At its fourth annual Active RVA Awards event in May, Sports Backers honored 97 area schools as well as several companies and early childhood education centers for encouraging active lifestyles.

In addition, Sports Backers debuted a new award to highlight local communities that create a culture of daily physical activity through design features.

The HHHunt River Mill project earned the inaugural Active RVA Development Certification, said Pete Woody, Sports Backers’ public relations and communications manager, because “HHHunt shares our belief in the importance of active living. The certification . . . reflects the commitment they’ve made for active living and wellness to be important parts of the community for River Mill.”

On June 1, residents from around the region will have a chance to sample the design details that impressed the Active RVA experts, as Homearama 2019 kicks off at the Glen Allen community. The annual tour of new designer homes, hosted by the Home Building Association of Richmond, will run through June 16 on Wednesdays through Sundays.

In addition to touring model homes offered by four custom builders and decorated by local designers, visitors will be able to explore portions of the walking trails and recreational amenities under development.

In keeping with the theme of health and fitness, special events will include a kickoff Fit and Fun Weekend with a toddler fun run and pop-up Pure Barre class, and a Homearama Homegrown weekend featuring local vendors and artisans. On June 6, Taste of RVA will feature samples from top restaurants, extended hours and live music. Craft beer will be the highlight of another celebration, and the event will close with a rodeo-themed weekend.

‘Old farm’ roots
Clearly, the Homearama will have wide appeal, but not simply for fitness buffs, foodies, beer lovers, home-seekers, and homeowners looking for decorating ideas. Members of the HHHunt team have been anticipating the chance to showcase the neighborhood for months – among them River Mill’s project manager, Craige Shelton.

On a March tour of the project, Shelton elaborated on the land’s history of agricultural use and the grain mill that once stood on the Chickahominy River (giving the development its name, as well as inspiring the logo); more recently, the Little Five Azalea Farm occupied part of the property.

Shelton – whose colleagues teasingly call him “Mr. River Mill” – noted that many of the homes will reflect the farmhouse and Craftsman style as a tribute to the land’s “old farm” roots.

And while completion of the extensive trail network is at least a year off, Shelton said, he pointed to several sidewalks and trails that will be done in time for Homearama.

“The Homearama will just be a teaser of what’s to come,” he said, describing a hammock park, gardens, tabletop games patio, and other features that will contribute to River Mill’s 100 acres of recreational and open spaces.

To Jonathan Ridout, HHHunt’s vice president of land development, the trails are among the neighborhood’s very best features.

Once Henrico County completes the Woodman Road extension, he said, residents will be able to travel not only to neighboring developments on foot or by bike, but to recreation areas at Greenwood Park.

This connectivity was one of the five fundamental areas on which River Mill scored highly in evaluations for the Active RVA certification (which also rated the community regarding space, signage, amenities, and buildings).

But Ridout is quick to point out that connectivity is not the only feature that sets River Mill’s trail network apart from ordinary neighborhood trails and paths. The trails’ location alongside the Chickahominy River also affords views of shady glens, nature scenes and wildlife not available on typical walking paths.

In fact, Ridout said, the first time he slipped down to the river for a glimpse of the trail route, he was overcome. The old-growth forest, untouched natural beauty, and peaceful scenes and sounds along the banks – just minutes from busy interstates 295 and 95 – were more picturesque than he had ever dreamed.

Caught by surprise, Ridout said he remembers being struck by the scene’s resemblance to other lush, leafy views to the west.

And to this day, he still exclaims to visitors in awe, “It looks like the Appalachian back there!”

Homearama is open to the public and takes place Wednesdays through Sundays from June 1-16. General admission is $10, and proceeds benefit ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation. Tickets for Taste of RVA (June 6) are $20. For details, visit RichmondHomearama.com.