Cultivating Vibrant Public Greenspaces

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    Volunteers at the Hotchkiss Green in Richmond's Northside

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    Coneflowers in bloom along the Low Line Gardens

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    The Low Line Gardens along the Virginia Capital Trail

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    Summer blooms in the Low Line Gardens

Capital Trees is working to create a greener, more liveable Richmond through the thoughtful planning, planting, and maintenance of public green places.

Our projects:

  • Sustaining Our Greenspaces
  • Hotchkiss Green (2022-2025)
  • Canoe Run Park (2023 – ongoing)
  • Neighborhood Parks Consultation (James Christian Park), Libby Hill Park (RTD article on collaboration)
  • Henrico County Reforestation Pilot Project (2023- ongoing)
  • The Low Line (2015 – 2020)
  • Great Shiplock Park (2012-2013, 2022)
  • The 14th Street Initiative (2010-2011)

Capital Trees Impact Reports

  • 2024-2025
  • 2023-2024

Take a quick self guided tour at Great Shiplock and the Low Line

 

WHAT'S NEW

Reflections from the City Parks Alliance Greater & Greener Conference 2026

Written by Mary Petres, Capital Trees Horticulture Manager

In June, I had the opportunity to attend the City Parks Alliance Greater & Greener Conference in Austin, Texas. The City Parks Alliance is the only independent national nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to urban parks in the United States. Every two years, the conference brings together professionals from government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations to share ideas, learn from one another,

… Read more »

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Grab your tickets for the Riverfront Canal Cruise Grab your tickets for the Riverfront Canal Cruise on August 6th narrated by Capital Trees. We are part of @venturerichmond's special tour schedule, and will be participating in both the 6pm and 7pm cruises. Join us to learn about the transformation of Richmond’s canal corridor and Low Line. Together, we'll explore how conservation, landscaping, and community stewardship are shaping vibrant public greenspaces along the waterfront. Get more information and save your spot from the link in our bio. 👆
We're looking for a few more volunteers to join us We're looking for a few more volunteers to join us this Saturday 8/1 at the Hotchkiss Green. We're partnering with @beecityrichmondva to weed the pollinator berm. No experience is needed! Join us to connect with others in your community, make our city a greener place, and benefit from a few hours spent with your hands in the dirt. Learn more and let us know you're coming from the link in our bio.
Happy Friday #RVA — scroll through to see some rec Happy Friday #RVA — scroll through to see some recent shots from our greenspaces along the Low Line, at Great Shiplock Park, and at the Hotchkiss Green. These gardens remain beautiful season after season because they're cared for by volunteers, partners, and neighbors who are invested in helping to build a greener future. Each day, the plants, trees, and shrubs are filtering air and water, supporting habitat, and creating places of connection, refuge, and wellbeing across our city. Stop by soon to stroll, sit, and take a break — it's good for you. 💚🌳🧘‍♀️
Save the date and snag your tickets for the Riverf Save the date and snag your tickets for the Riverfront Canal Cruise on August 6th narrated by Capital Trees. We are part of @venturerichmond's special tour schedule, and will be participating in both the 6pm and 7pm cruises. Join us to learn about the transformation of Richmond’s canal corridor and the Low Line. Together, we'll explore how conservation, landscaping, and community stewardship are shaping vibrant public greenspaces along the waterfront. Get more information and save your spot from the link in our bio. 👆
Our Executive Director and Horticulture Manager tr Our Executive Director and Horticulture Manager traveled to Austin, Texas for the @cityparksalliance Greater and Greener 2026 — a gathering of parks leaders, city staff, and nonprofit partners from across the country. Over a few days of bike tours, boat rides, panels, and peer conversations, one thing became clear: the cities doing greenspace well aren’t doing anything magical. They’re just patient, intentional, and deeply collaborative. They've each recapped their big takeaways, and Shelly's reflections are up first. Give the blog post a read from the link in our bio.☝ Photo Credit: Brio Photography & Erika Gay
A group from @fulton.bank recently tackled a tough A group from @fulton.bank recently tackled a tough job for us a the entrance to the Hotchkiss Community Center. We needed to remove existing invasive liriope and crape myrtle tree roots to prepare the garden beds for new additions. It was hard, dirty work, but the group put in some major elbow grease to tame the space. Thanks for volunteering with us again Fulton Bank!
At the end of our fiscal year, Diane Linderman com At the end of our fiscal year, Diane Linderman completed her term as Co-Chair of our Board of Trustees. We want to recognize the tremendous impact she has had on Capital Trees and on our work across the region. Diane has helped us navigate complex city processes, build relationships with key staff and community leaders, and think strategically about how transformative public greenspace projects move from vision to reality. She has never hesitated to roll up her sleeves — volunteering at workdays, staffing outreach events, and showing up wherever help was needed. Diane isn't afraid to ask thoughtful questions, offer candid advice, or challenge us to be better. She has invested deeply in the success of this organization, helping connect us with people and resources that have strengthened our partnerships and streamlined our work. Please join us in thanking Diane for her leadership, her partnership, and her unwavering commitment to building a greener, more connected Richmond region.
Troutman Pepper Locke joined us again for a volunt Troutman Pepper Locke joined us again for a volunteer workday, bringing an enthusiastic group of staff and interns along to help. They tackled the weeds at the Low Line Green, and made the space look much tidier for visitors passing through. Thank you for your ongoing support, and for joining us for another workday. @troutmanpepperlockellp
We recently recognized our “Volunteer of the Year” We recently recognized our “Volunteer of the Year” and presented him with his award. Glenn has been volunteering with Capital Trees since March of 2025. In our 2025-2026 fiscal year, he volunteered an incredible 43 times, adding up to 148 hours! He’s part of the group that volunteers with us on a weekly basis to perform ongoing maintenance tasks, helped build picnic tables at the Hotchkiss Green, and has served as a volunteer leader at multiple community and private workdays. Thank you Glenn, for your commitment to helping us take care of these vital greenspaces and for sharing your knowledge with others.
Our Executive Director, Shelly Barrick Parsons, re Our Executive Director, Shelly Barrick Parsons, recently met up with @breakawayrva during their monthly meet up. They were interested in how Capital Trees plays a role in environmental justice and restoring neglected areas in our city. Shelly met with them along the Low Line to showcase the gardens and share more about our work. We’re always eager to show folks around the gardens, whether it's for a few minutes or a full walking tour — thanks Breakaway RVA for biking our way!
Happy 4th of July! If firework shows aren't your t Happy 4th of July! If firework shows aren't your thing, the blooms along the Low Line Gardens sure are putting on a colorful display for visitors. Be safe out there, it's a scorcher this weekend! 🥵
The Deloitte team recently volunteered with us at The Deloitte team recently volunteered with us at Canoe Run Park. The group was hard working and engaged, and together they helped us finish necessary tree care for the newly planted trees. They also spread mulch to help suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve the soil. Thanks for getting your hands in the dirt with us Deloitte, we hope you come back to volunteer with us in the future! @lifeatdeloitteus @deloitte
In the last fiscal year, we’ve planted over 100 tr In the last fiscal year, we’ve planted over 100 trees throughout the region, strengthened existing landscapes, and brought people together around a shared vision for healthier public spaces. We know that we couldn’t do any of it without the growing community of supporters who believe that investing in greenspaces is an investment in people and our collective health and wellbeing. A gift today helps us start our new fiscal year with the resources we need to sustain our vital work. Join in, make an impact, make a gift today from the link in our bio. ☝️
June 30th is the last day of our fiscal year. The June 30th is the last day of our fiscal year. The calendar always provides an opportunity to sit down and reflect on all the progress we’ve made. This fiscal year, we celebrated the opening of Hotchkiss Green, where more than 100 trees, 1,300 pollinator-friendly plugs, and numerous fruit-bearing trees and shrubs are taking root. We're already seeing signs that nature is responding – birds are feeding in the pollinator meadow, insects are returning to the flowers, life is finding its way back. THANK YOU. Your investments, through generous donations and time spent volunteering, made this transformation possible and we can’t wait to see the space continue to establish in the coming months and years.
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200 South Third Street
Suite 101
Richmond, VA 23219

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804.788.6450

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