At the intersection of Chimborazo Blvd., Oakwood Ave., and P St. sits a small urban space with a handsome memorial celebrating the life of Richmonder James S. Christian, Jr.  A brief biography about Mr. Christian can be found here:  https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/christian-james-s-1918-1982/

The Church Hill Central Civic Association (CHCCA) reached out to Capital Trees to help apply for a grant to create a beautiful and functional open space at this intersection, in the heart of the community. 

Mark A. Olinger, a Capital Trees Advisory Council member and Church Hill Central resident asked Capital Trees if they would consider supporting this smaller-scale project because of its potential to have a big impact on the neighborhood with a relatively small investment.  The grant application required a 501(c)(3) member, and Capital Trees agreed to be a co-applicant and fiscal agent for the project.

In May, the CHCCA was notified that the project had been awarded a $10,000 grant to support the transformation of James S. Christian, Jr., Place. Working with the surrounding community, the City of Richmond Departments of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, and City of Richmond Public Works, Capital Trees has helped create a plan to renew the small urban space to: 

• Provide a more fitting setting for Mr. Christian’s memorial
• Improve the park by planting shade trees, ornamental trees, and native shrubs and perennials to provide four-season color
• Provide ongoing park maintenance
• Support the well-being of neighboring residents by making the park a space to visit, gather, and enjoy 
• Support community participation in implementing the plan
• Encourage community assistance with the maintenance of the revitalized park

Since the end of June, significant progress has been made towards preparing the site for the new landscape:

• Public Works removed a tree stump and repaired damaged areas on the sidewalk to improve pedestrian safety.  
• Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities removed the overgrown plants and weeds at the base of the Christian memorial, added new topsoil, removed some of the existing planters, and cleaned up the space for fall planting.  
• Repairs to the large planter still need to be completed.
• The benches will be moved to provide more opportunity for communication and conversation.

The site already looks much better! In fact, the Civic Association has received a number of emails and comments appreciating the improvements that have been made to the park just by cleaning it up. In addition, a number of neighbors have already contacted the Civic Association to volunteer in project implementation and maintenance.

To top it all off, work has begun for a new restaurant across Oakwood from the park. The opening date is TBD, but it’s a very positive sign for the work in our new neighborhood square, and we anticipate many restaurant goers will appreciate the revitalization of the park.

A groundbreaking for the improvements will be scheduled in the near future, please stay tuned. It’s been too long since this park has provided a beautiful and meaningful space for residents, and we can’t wait to see it transform. Small pocket-parks like this can play a big role in Richmond’s future 

A special thanks to the staff of Public Works and Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities.  Their collaborative spirit and “can do” attitude have helped this project advance, and they have provided a significant investment of in-kind services making real improvements possible.

As you may know, $10,000 is not a lot of money in the public landscape world. If you wish to contribute to the James S. Christian, Jr., Place improvements, please consider a donation to Capital Trees and designate it for James S. Christian, Jr., Place.