October 8, 2024

Construction has begun at Hotchkiss Green.

Surveying was started last week and excavation started this week on the permeable asphalt trail!

 

August 2024 Groundbreaking Celebration!

Neighbors of Hotchkiss Field Community Center and friends of Capital Trees showed up Monday, August 26 for the Hotchkiss Green groundbreaking celebration.  The event marked a milestone in the project development kicking off project construction.  This project milestone is made possible by the collective efforts of many individuals and organizations including

  • Neighbors, staff, and users of Hotchkiss who provided invaluable feedback to shape the final plan,
  • The design team at Timmons Group,
  • The focus and enthusiasm of Capital Trees staff, board, and volunteers,
  • City of Richmond’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities, and
  • Foundations, churches, businesses, and individuals whose generous investments have funded the project and its ongoing care.

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.  We are excited to work with Exact Stormwater Management and James River Nurseries on project construction.

Capital Trees welcomed guest speakers, Chris Frelke, RVA Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, Mayor Levar Stoney, Councilperson Ellen Robertson, and Delegate Rae Cousins. 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.  Thanks to Groundwork RVA for the thermal imaging demonstration.

Thank you!

As a supporter of Capital Trees, you already know that access to and investment in public greenspace is essential. Public greenspaces foster healthy, climate-resilient, safe, compassionate, and connected communities. Thank you for your unwavering support in building a greener and more livable Richmond.

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.

Join us for a Groundbreaking Celebration on our next greenspace project, the Hotchkiss Green on Monday, August 26, 5:30 pm at the Hotchkiss Field Community Center.

Join friends, supporters, city and state officials, and neighbors for a groundbreaking celebration and ice cream social with free ice-cream from Ruby Scoops.

 

Hotchkiss Green Project Background

At the invitation of the City of Richmond, Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities, Capital Trees began to explore the feasibility of a new greenspace transformation on Richmond’s northside in 2021.  In 2022, we partnered with Timmons Group to continue community engagement and input on park design.  Capital Trees staff and board members led community engagement at the center, at local community meetings, and nearby events.  Through our conversations with the community and center leadership, we learned of the desire for pollinator friendly habitats, places to sit and gather, edible plants incorporated into the landscape, more shade, and a walking trail.  This feedback was incorporated into three plans that were shared with the community for final feedback and revision.  Our final plan draws incorporates input from the community.  With a final plan in hand, we initiated the necessary approvals with the City and more focused fundraising.  To date, we have raised over 90% of our construction funds.  We have selected construction leads:  Exact Stormwater Management with James River Nurseries.  We are on track to break ground in mid-August 2024.  Your support of the project  will help complete and sustainably manage this greenspace transformation.

The project will transform two acres of treeless turf at the Hotchkiss Field Community Center in Richmond’s northside into the Hotchkiss Green – an inviting urban landscape that includes walking trails, seating areas, shade trees, a pollinator garden, and native shrubs and perennials.

The green space will be a focal point for the community, providing a restorative space to connect with nature and neighbors. We know that when people have access to green space, they feel better — mentally and physically. The green space we have planned will provide a place for residents to exercise, commune with their neighbors, feel connected to nature, and cool down in the shade. The urban landscape we have planned is an investment in the health of the Highland Park community, now and in the future. The trees we add to the space will contribute to the City’s tree canopy, cooling temperatures on the ground to help offset the negative health effects of the urban heat island effect. The green space will provide immediate relief for residents and for generations to come as the tree canopy becomes more established.  Stay tuned for updates.