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Chesterfield debuts free park with splash pad and heron slide

The grand opening includes free Kona Ice, vendors and the reveal of the heron slide's name.

Things to Do

Chesterfield County&#x27;s newest public park, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/19/chesterfield-river-city-sportsplex-park" data-vars-content-id="00778f4c-6f8a-44c5-9cf4-500170678d10" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield debuts free park with splash pad and heron slide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/03/19/chesterfield-river-city-sportsplex-park" target="_self">The Park</a> at River City Sportsplex, opens this week.Why it matters: It has a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="splash pad" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/22/richmond-free-public-pools-henrico-chesterfield" data-vars-content-id="00778f4c-6f8a-44c5-9cf4-500170678d10" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield debuts free park with splash pad and heron slide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/22/richmond-free-public-pools-henrico-chesterfield" target="_self">splash pad</a>, bringing the splash pad total in the region&#x27;s most populous county to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/06/free-splash-pad-opens-in-chesterfield" data-vars-content-id="00778f4c-6f8a-44c5-9cf4-500170678d10" data-vars-headline="Chesterfield debuts free park with splash pad and heron slide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/06/free-splash-pad-opens-in-chesterfield" target="_self">two</a>.

Arthur Ashe closures for America's 250th IllumiNATION event

Here's where drivers in one of Richmond's busiest corridors should avoid these next few weeks.

News

A major stretch of Arthur Ashe Boulevard will temporarily close for several nights this month as the city preps for a large-scale event to celebrate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s 250th" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/09/virginia-250-richmond-events-museums-sailfest" data-vars-content-id="d0338c03-f419-459e-b2ea-dff89f073d17" data-vars-headline="Arthur Ashe closures for America&#x27;s 250th IllumiNATION event" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/04/09/virginia-250-richmond-events-museums-sailfest" target="_self">America&#x27;s 250th</a>.Why it matters: The closures will affect traffic and parking in one of Richmond&#x27;s most heavily traveled corridors for a test event Tuesday and a four-night festival next week.

Richmond is becoming a magnet for Fairfax movers

The number of Fairfax residents moving to metro Richmond has jumped dramatically since 2005.

Richmond is becoming a magnet for Fairfax County residents, Cardinal News founder Dwayne Yancey <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://cardinalnews.org/2026/06/10/roanoke-valley-and-richmond-metro-have-become-magnets-for-people-moving-out-of-fairfax-county/" data-vars-content-id="4f61aaef-0fa1-4a62-aa72-a5deb9e79c5e" data-vars-headline="Richmond is becoming a magnet for Fairfax movers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cardinalnews.org/2026/06/10/roanoke-valley-and-richmond-metro-have-become-magnets-for-people-moving-out-of-fairfax-county/" target="_blank">reports</a> from new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="IRS" data-vars-click-url="https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-migration-data" data-vars-content-id="4f61aaef-0fa1-4a62-aa72-a5deb9e79c5e" data-vars-headline="Richmond is becoming a magnet for Fairfax movers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.irs.gov/statistics/soi-tax-stats-migration-data" target="_blank">IRS</a> migration data.Why it matters: The state&#x27;s most populous locality is peak NoVa and Richmonders have ... well, thoughts about Northern Virginia.

What Dominion-NextEra merger could mean for Richmond bills

Supporters tout short-term bill relief, while critics warn future rate hikes could erase the gains.

State lawmakers and consumer advocates are questioning how beneficial the proposed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/18/dominion-nextera-merger-richmond-virginia" data-vars-content-id="c4fb0882-b4ec-46d2-84f4-e111180b47ab" data-vars-headline="What Dominion-NextEra merger could mean for Richmond bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/05/18/dominion-nextera-merger-richmond-virginia" target="_self">Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy</a> merger will actually be for Virginians&#x27; wallets.Why it matters: The deal comes with billions of dollars in credits for Dominion customers, so it&#x27;s certain to affect Richmonders&#x27; power bills, but it&#x27;s unclear by how much and for how long.

Endangered mussels return to Richmond-area waters

Hundreds of alewife floaters were planted in Hanover as part of efforts to improve Bay waterways.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="freshwater" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/07/02/virginia-maryland-chesapeake-bay-blue-crab" data-vars-content-id="5a389b8b-09c6-4333-8890-edbcf2d27610" data-vars-headline="Endangered mussels return to Richmond-area waters" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2024/07/02/virginia-maryland-chesapeake-bay-blue-crab" target="_self">freshwater</a> mussel long extinct from some of the waters around Richmond is making a comeback: the alewife floater.Why it matters: Their return will help the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay and all its tributaries, including the James.

Report: Some Richmond 311 flood complaints take years to close

A new analysis found some South Richmond residents wait up to three years. Here's what the city says about it.

A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.southsidereleaf.org/blog/311-flooding-data" data-vars-content-id="e944a159-dfac-4782-94b1-7f88f598ef26" data-vars-headline="Report: Some Richmond 311 flood complaints take years to close" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.southsidereleaf.org/blog/311-flooding-data" target="_blank">new analysis</a> of nearly a decade of Richmond 311 requests found that some neighborhoods with chronic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flooding issues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/24/richmond-flood-zones-fema-update-2025" data-vars-content-id="e944a159-dfac-4782-94b1-7f88f598ef26" data-vars-headline="Report: Some Richmond 311 flood complaints take years to close" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/06/24/richmond-flood-zones-fema-update-2025" target="_self">flooding issues</a> report flooding the least.<ul><li>And when they do, they face the longest response times.</li></ul>Why it matters: Researchers and city officials both agree that 311 complaints don&#x27;t tell the whole story. But they&#x27;re one of the few public tools available for tracking a problem that disrupts commutes, blocks sidewalks and poses safety risks.

New reports raise pollution questions about Virginia data centers

The debate is moving beyond noisy eyesores to questions about air quality, water systems and public health.

Virginia has spent years building the infrastructure powering AI, but researchers and residents are still trying to answer questions about what <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" data-vars-content-id="f34949a3-7096-4982-9d22-77db5bfb744b" data-vars-headline="New reports raise pollution questions about Virginia data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" target="_self">data centers</a> mean for air quality, water systems and public health.Why it matters: These facilities are coming to more parts of the Richmond area as the Northern Virginia industry <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="faces constraints" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/20/richmond-data-center-market-fastest-growing" data-vars-content-id="f34949a3-7096-4982-9d22-77db5bfb744b" data-vars-headline="New reports raise pollution questions about Virginia data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/08/20/richmond-data-center-market-fastest-growing" target="_self">faces constraints</a>.

Google's second Chesterfield data center could impact wetlands

The proposed campus could disturb streams and possible unmarked graves.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Google" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/17/google-chesterfield-county-virginia-data-center-plans" data-vars-content-id="34211d05-f6b3-44ef-87e9-8cf15d75d039" data-vars-headline="Google&#x27;s second Chesterfield data center could impact wetlands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/17/google-chesterfield-county-virginia-data-center-plans" target="_self">Google</a>&#x27;s proposed western Chesterfield data center campus could disturb wetlands, streams and possible unmarked graves, according to newly released <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal permit filings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Article/4484789/nao-2026-00182-vmrc-project-loch-chesterfield-county-virginia-wauford-prm-site/" data-vars-content-id="34211d05-f6b3-44ef-87e9-8cf15d75d039" data-vars-headline="Google&#x27;s second Chesterfield data center could impact wetlands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Media/Public-Notices/Article/4484789/nao-2026-00182-vmrc-project-loch-chesterfield-county-virginia-wauford-prm-site/" target="_blank">federal permit filings</a>. Why it matters: The documents offer one of the clearest looks yet at &quot;Project Loch,&quot; which is part of Google&#x27;s broader $9 billion expansion in Virginia.

Bear in Richmond's Oregon Hill has been captured

It's the city's first bear sighting of the season — and he's very, very cute.

A black bear spent Thursday morning roaming the streets and backyards of Oregon Hill before being tranquilized and put in a truck by lunchtime.Why it matters: Few things unite Richmonders like tracking an animal on the loose.

How Virginia is trying to keep data centers off your power bill

Lawmakers aren't looking to stop the boom, but they want data centers to pay more.

Virginia isn&#x27;t pausing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" data-vars-content-id="89b2517b-ae50-4ad5-875b-344981a937bb" data-vars-headline="How Virginia is trying to keep data centers off your power bill" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/08/virginia-no1-data-centers-richmond-growth-ai" target="_self">data center boom</a>, but lawmakers are trying to keep residents from footing the bill for it.Why it matters: That&#x27;s easier said than done.

Winter storm watch in effect as Richmond eyes weekend snow

The snow is likely arriving Friday night with more on Saturday as ice is still on streets from the last storm.

Round two of more <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="snow for Richmond" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/28/richmond-snow-forecast-repeat-winter-storm-weekend" data-vars-content-id="0e14e329-d71f-4cd5-b005-f7675f84971e" data-vars-headline="Winter storm watch in effect as Richmond eyes weekend snow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2026/01/28/richmond-snow-forecast-repeat-winter-storm-weekend" target="_self">snow for Richmond</a> is looking increasingly likely for the weekend, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Weather Service." data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/media/akq/briefings/LatestBriefing.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0e14e329-d71f-4cd5-b005-f7675f84971e" data-vars-headline="Winter storm watch in effect as Richmond eyes weekend snow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/media/akq/briefings/LatestBriefing.pdf" target="_blank">National Weather Service.</a>Why it matters: Many neighborhood streets are still covered in ice from the last storm.

How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia's electric bills

Lowering energy costs was one of Democrats' winning messages. Now they have to deliver on it.

With Democrats soon to control the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="governor&#x27;s mansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" data-vars-content-id="b65fcd86-5349-43ef-82f2-a170e815300c" data-vars-headline="How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia&#x27;s electric bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-governor-first-woman-abigail-spanberger" target="_self">governor&#x27;s mansion</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="both chambers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-democrats-win-historic-election" data-vars-content-id="b65fcd86-5349-43ef-82f2-a170e815300c" data-vars-headline="How Spanberger plans to lower Virginia&#x27;s electric bills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/11/05/virginia-democrats-win-historic-election" target="_self">both chambers</a> of the General Assembly, Virginia&#x27;s energy policy is set to veer from Gov. Youngkin&#x27;s approach these past four years.Why it matters: Lowering energy costs was one of Democrats&#x27; winning messages. Now they have to deliver on it.

Virginia's electricity costs rise amid data center boom

But it still had one of the smallest electricity cost hikes nationwide this past year, per new federal data.

Virginia saw one of the smallest increases in electricity costs in the nation this past year, per new federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/browser/" data-vars-content-id="b2f64ec0-f351-4dfb-9c12-87f90eb19ffa" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s electricity costs rise amid data center boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/browser/" target="_blank">data</a>, but it could get even higher as data centers proliferate statewide.Why it matters: Virginia is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data center capital of the world" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-07-29/loudon-county-data-center-growth-strains-residents-seeking-ai-regulation" data-vars-content-id="b2f64ec0-f351-4dfb-9c12-87f90eb19ffa" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s electricity costs rise amid data center boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-07-29/loudon-county-data-center-growth-strains-residents-seeking-ai-regulation" target="_blank">data center capital of the world</a>, and while those centers have previously been concentrated in NoVa, proposals for them have increasingly cropped up <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in the Richmond area." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/06/data-center-boom-cost-power-bill" data-vars-content-id="b2f64ec0-f351-4dfb-9c12-87f90eb19ffa" data-vars-headline="Virginia&#x27;s electricity costs rise amid data center boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/02/06/data-center-boom-cost-power-bill" target="_self">in the Richmond area.</a>

Flash flood warnings swamp Richmond in 2025

Heavy rain and humidity have driven a deluge of flood alerts in Richmond this year.

There have been 68 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flash food warnings issued" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/16/flood-rain-climate-change-storms-texas-new-york" data-vars-content-id="1124c45f-75b5-498c-bfc8-d2cd17ab0b64" data-vars-headline="Flash flood warnings swamp Richmond in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/16/flood-rain-climate-change-storms-texas-new-york" target="_self">flash food warnings issued</a> for metro Richmond so far this year, according to data from the National Weather Service.Why it matters: The NWS has issued <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more flash flood warnings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/17/flash-flood-warnings-record-nws" data-vars-content-id="1124c45f-75b5-498c-bfc8-d2cd17ab0b64" data-vars-headline="Flash flood warnings swamp Richmond in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/17/flash-flood-warnings-record-nws" target="_self">more flash flood warnings</a> nationwide thus far in 2025 than in any other year on record.

Environment

Endangered mussels return to Richmond-area waters

Report: Some Richmond 311 flood complaints take years to close

New reports raise pollution questions about Virginia data centers

Google's second Chesterfield data center could impact wetlands

Bear in Richmond's Oregon Hill has been captured