City Hall has received two grants totaling $351,000 to improve handicap access to the James River and to a trail near Byrd Park that previously have been off limits to many with disabilities.

City Council gave an anticipated green light to accept the funds on Dec. 13.

One grant from the James River Outdoor Coalition will provide $145,000 to fully fund an envisioned universal access ramp into the James River on a site just below the Huguenot Bridge known as Huguenot Flatwater. The name reflects the calmness of the water at that point in the river that makes it easier for anyone to get in and out.

The coalition has been pushing the ramp idea for at least three years. The estimated cost: $345,000, including design, permits and construction, according to the coalition.

Since 2019, City Council has earmarked $330,000 to pay for creation of the ramp, about $41,000 of which has gone into covering preconstruction costs.

The ordinance City Council approved allows the city to accept the donation. However, the information included with the ordinance did not

offer any explanation as to why so much additional money was needed from the coalition, a volunteer nonprofit that was set up in 1997 to raise resources to complete park projects.

The new flatwater access would add just the second river entry point compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, the coalition stated. The current sole entry point is located in the middle of James River Park where Reedy Creek enters the river, but it puts people into whitewater than can be too rough for those with disabilities, the coalition noted.

The new ramp means that those with handicaps will have access to a 4-mile stretch of river that does not include rapids, the coalition stated, adding that construction of this new access point is already underway.

Separately, City Council cleared Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration to make improvements to a trail at Pump House Park ADAcompliant using $206,211 from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The trail is located south and west of Byrd Park and runs between Pump House Drive and a bridge spanning the lock and canal at Pump House Park.