Along Belle Isle runners and bikers revel in the challenging terrain. Down on the Canal Walk there’s a line forming for boat tours. Stretching out on the rocks lining the James River’s edge, a group of college students catch some rays. Everywhere you look, there is bustling activity along Downtown Riverfront.

As buzz increases around the many ways Richmonders enjoy the James River, a local organization has produced some snazzy, new banners to literally show us the way. Venture Richmond, whose mission is to engage business and community leaders in partnering with the city to enhance the vitality of the community (particularly Downtown), has hatched a creative, refreshing way to encourage the public to explore Downtown’s riverfront area.

“There are four main graphic elements representing the characteristics of the area; water, sky, cobblestones and trees,” explains Lucy Meade, Director of Marketing & Development at Venture Richmond, while showing off the banners strategically positioned along the Canal Walk and Brown’s Island. “Each banner is like a personal note to a friend; there are thirty-two different banners and messages.” Meade says that the banners, which were created by local design firm J H I, creatively promote forty interesting sites, seventy-two restaurants, and miles of trails and nature. “And, all are within walking distance of the Riverfront and Canal Walk,” Meade points out.

VentureRichmond will soon launch a mobile friendly website that will serve as a “how-to” guide for each banner at www.RVAriverfront.com.

Venture Richmond officially formed in 2006 when four local groups – Richmond Renaissance, City Celebrations, Richmond Riverfront Corporation and the River District Alliance – combined into one organization.

Today, the organization hopes that through efforts like better signage, Richmonders will more easily access all the Riverfront has to offer, particularly the historical Riverfront Canal Cruises.

Responsible for the ongoing property management and landscaping of Downtown Riverfront and Canal Walk, Venture Richmond runs the Riverfront Canal Cruises and produces events like Friday Cheers and the Richmond Folk Festival, which attract big crowds to the riverfront on a regular basis.

Always looking for new ways to advocate for Downtown Riverfront, the organization says that Richmonders can look forward to more activity along the Riverfront in 2013.

As buzz increases around the many ways Richmonders enjoy the James River, a local organization has produced some snazzy, new banners to literally show us the way.

“Each banner is like a personal note to a friend; there are thirty-two different banners and messages.” Venture Richmond has installed beautiful new banners along the Riverfront Canal Walk based off of four main designs: water, sky, cobblestones, and trees. The goal of the signs is simple: get out and enjoy the riverfront.