Richmond is working on a parks master plan
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One of the maps Richmond is circulating as part of its Inspire planning. Photo: Karri Peifer/Axios
Richmond is working on a comprehensive blueprint for city parks.
Why it matters: The plan will help steer the city's vision for parks for decades and help it prioritize where to put its resources now.
The big picture: Overall, Richmond's park system is in decent shape, at least when stacked against other cities. But some individual parks, plus whole swaths of the city, are in need of greenspace attention.
- So armed with American Rescue Plan funding, this summer the city started working on its first park system master plan in a generation.
- Their goal is to develop a plan that is equitable, environmentally sustainable and incorporates the myriad ways locals use the park system now, from sports and recreation to picnicking, playgrounds, summer camps and outdoor concerts.
Zoom in: The city is calling the initiative Richmond INSPIRE (Imagining Neighborhood-Shaping Parks and Inclusive Recreation Experiences) and working with Raleigh-based consultant team Design Workshop on developing the plan.
- They started by taking inventory and rating the city's existing parks.
- So far, the team has visited and rated all but 18 of the city's 148 parks and facilities.
What they found: 89% of city parks don't have adequate signage.
- 62% of city parks aren't accessible by sidewalk.
- 52% don't have enough shade.
- Fewer than half — 42% — make a good first impression.
- Only 16% of all parks and 4% of playgrounds are accessible to people with disabilities.
- Just seven parks, all north of the river, are in top condition.
Meanwhile, South Richmond, which is the largest part of the city by acreage, has not only the fewest parks, but many of those are in the worst condition, and are the least accessible to get by walking, which is considered the gold standard for park access.
- Southside also lacks public river access off the Richmond Highway corridor despite miles of riverfront, city-owned land.
Fun fact: The Inspire team gave city parks a 2.72 rating out of 5, lower than the 2.9 rating the public has indicated thus far in its online survey, the Design Workshop's Kurt Culbertson tells Axios.
What's next: The city wants to hear from you (for real) about your park usage hopes and dreams. You can share them through this online survey through Sept. 27.
- Look for in-person presentations on how the plan is shaping up in December before it's finalized early next year.