Hosted by Capital Trees, Imagine Power in Place: A Conversation on Equity & Access welcomed community members to the newly reopened Hotchkiss Field Community Center, the site of our newest project: Hotchkiss Green. This free community conversation centered on how public greenspaces support climate resilience, ways to address disparities in access, and strengthen community well-being. Attendees gathered to hear from keynote speaker Mickey Fearn (North Carolina State University), a recognized leader at the intersection of urban parks, community development, and environmental justice, whose work continues to shape conversations around equity and public space across the country.
Drawing on his experience as the former Deputy Director of the National Park Service, Fearn shared how communities can rethink how residents, government entities, and nonprofits can collaborate to create public spaces that serve everyone. Throughout the discussion, he elaborated on how our personal life experiences influence the way we perceive and interact with outdoor spaces. Fearn also emphasized the psychological and social impacts of outdoor access, noting how equitable access to parks and greenspaces can shape future perspectives, improve mental well-being, and foster stronger, healthier communities. His remarks encouraged attendees to view public land not simply as recreational space, but as a vital community resource connected to opportunity, identity, and quality of life.
The conversation also featured local panelists Nathan Burrell, Executive Director of Groundwork RVA, and Giles Garrison, Programs and Operations Manager for the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities. Panelists shared personal stories about the experiences that led them to become advocates for public greenspaces and reflected on the importance of community-centered development. Together, the panel explored key topics including addressing inequity through fair funding and park placement across the city, collaborative stewardship between residents and nonprofits, and unlocking community ideas to create greenspace developments that endure for generations to come.
The event reinforced the importance of the work we’re doing here at Capital Trees — creating greenspaces that are not just beautiful, but vital. Our speaker series is open to the public and we welcome everyone to join us. To step off the pavement, onto the grass, and into a fresh way of thinking.
