August Tree Talk: Working together towards a greener RVA.   

By: Anne Poarch, Director of Advancement for Capital Trees

On August 26, Capital Trees celebrated the groundbreaking on our latest project, the Hotchkiss Green, at the Hotchkiss Field Community Center in Richmond’s Highland Park neighborhood. This new greenspace will transform two acres of treeless turf into an inviting urban landscape that includes walking trails, seating areas, shade trees, a pollinator garden, and native shrubs and perennials. Our early evening event boasted a festive, and curious crowd, wanting to learn more about what was to come. And of course, were eager to indulge in ice cream from Ruby Scoops, a Brookland Park Boulevard favorite and winner of the 2024 Richmond Times-Dispatch Best Ice Cream in Richmond contest. Featuring remarks from Richmond’s Mayor Levar Stoney, and city leadership; Chris Frelke (City of Richmond Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities), Councilperson Ellen Robertson (6th District), Virginia House of Representatives Delegate Rae Cousins (District 79), and Capital Trees Executive Director, Shelly Barrick Parsons — those attending witnessed true collaboration that at its core represents considerable time spent engaging with the community. The groundbreaking highlights a public-private partnership focused on gathering feedback and input on design from the nearby residents who will be the  daily users of the space. We are excited to begin.

Being there Monday night, feeling the nostalgia of  summer and the reality of back-to-school priorities like first days and football sign-ups at the community center, I got tingles thinking about what the Hotchkiss Green will look like this time next summer. I imagined the people that will be enjoying the space, the places to sit and gather, walking paths linking activities featured at the center, including the pool and play area, pickleball and skating zone, baseball diamond and football field.

It was in greeting our friends that night from City of Richmond Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities, that I was reminded of how summer started for Capital Trees. Along with a contingent of Richmonders, we attended the City Parks Alliance Greater and Greener Conference in Seattle, Washington.  In Seattle my eyes were opened to the many possibilities that exist to reframe a landscape; to make our city landscapes more accessible, more resilient, and a whole lot greener. There are a multitude of creative ways to incorporate greenspace in an urban setting, and this conference highlighted how cities across the globe are solving their most pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges with just that kind of dynamic thinking. I’ll share with you my top three WOWS from the conference.

One. We make cities inviting through thoughtful design and plantings.

Through daily mobile workshops we saw a lot of Seattle, and I discovered that yes, bike lanes running right through the city can be made to feel safe and approachable. The addition of an attractive hard surface design, accompanied by inspired native plantings including trees and shrubs, can create a buffer zone and an attractive commute for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Seattle showed me that a city can decide to eliminate an entire freeway and build greenspaces on overpasses, for the express purpose of removing barriers to access for city dwellers.

Two. Community input needs to be at the forefront of any design project.

Existing urban design projects discussed by thought leaders shined a light on the critical role of parks in building equitable, vibrant, and resilient cities. These leaders, like Marc Berejka, President of the REI Cooperative Action Fund REI Co-Op, illustrated how the private sector can play a role in advancing more equitable park systems. He highlighted just how important it is for any organization looking to enhance urban landscapes to listen to the concerns and ideas from the community that will be directly impacted by a project.

Three. Richmond is doing things right when it comes to parks, and has great people doing it.

The downtime at the conference gave us an opportunity to come together with our Richmond counterparts from the City and Venture Richmond, to share ideas, and discuss what we’d learned. What a highlight that was! We are in good hands with people who care deeply about supporting what is best for the Richmond community and what will bring healing to her people and the planet. It’s through partnerships with organizations like Capital Trees,and an abundance of thanks to the people and organizations that support us, that we are making amazing strides in this city. According to the Trust for Public Land, Richmond, Virginia now ranks 22nd in parks (1).

What made the Seattle conference so special for me was returning with renewed vigor and excitement to share what makes the work we do so important. The conference reinforced my resolve with the knowledge that in no way are we alone in our quest. Being at the Hotchkiss Green groundbreaking made that abundantly clear. Waving to our DPR friends, thanking our sponsors, and sharing this milestone with neighbors, visitors, and new friends — we all shared a common bond and collective love of the outside world. Green spaces aren’t our only commonality, it’s pretty easy to find connection and shared values when everyone is enjoying a scoop of Hotchkiss Green Blackberry Basil Ice Cream from Ruby Scoops, and looking ahead to what a community gathering space is poised to become.

References:

(1). https://www.tpl.org/city/richmond-virginia

August — Urban Green Space Maintenance

With our community workday on Saturday August 24th amounting to 20 volunteer hours, our recurring Wednesday maintenance days, and private workdays (thanks to the folks from Boston Scientific for lending a hand when they were in town!) — it’s been all hands on deck to combat weed activity in the gardens this month. The very conditions that make us want to stay indoors in August ( heat, humidity, and rain) encourage the growth of very healthy weeds. One of the most effective ways we combat weeds in our urban green spaces is by controlling the seed bank year after year. That means yanking the weeds out before they have time to drop seeds. Thank you to everyone who has braved the heat and humidity of late summer to lend a hand, it all adds up, and the gardens really benefit from your time!

August — Featured Trees Seasonal Update

This year we’ll be documenting the same two trees as they progress out of dormancy, bud out in the spring, are full of foliage in the summer, and lose their leaves in the fall. Follow along for monthly updates on the River Birch and Eastern White Redbud along the Low Line Gardens in Richmond, Virginia.

August — Spotted at the Hotchkiss Green Groundbreaking

Neighbors of Hotchkiss Field Community Center and friends of Capital Trees showed up Monday evening for the Hotchkiss Green groundbreaking celebration. Once complete, Hotchkiss Green will make significant environmental impacts by enhancing tree canopy, boosting biodiversity, and improving stormwater management.  The shade from 54 trees will offer cooler temperatures and better air quality.  The winding paths will provide spaces for exercise and relaxation, while the native wildflower garden will attract local wildlife.  Following the speakers and groundbreaking, the celebration continued with everyone enjoying ice cream and a thermal imaging demonstration from Groundwork RVA.  Thanks to Ruby Scoops for serving 117 scoops of ice cream including the new Hotchkiss Green inspired flavor, Blackberry Basil.  Writer Gary Snyder is attributed with saying, “Nature is not a place to visit, it is home.”  We hope that everyone who encounters Hotchkiss Green will find a place of welcome, rejuvenation, and rest.