A few weeks ago, we introduced ourselves and asked for your help.
You showed up.
Since launching our community survey, we've heard from nearly 40 neighbors - parents, dog walkers, athletes, and longtime residents who care about this park and want to see it thrive. We're still collecting responses, and we'd love to reach even more people before we wrap up. If you haven't taken it yet, it only takes a few minutes.
Here's a quick look at where things stand.
We met with the city.
We were able to meeting with the Richmond Parks Department to start building a real working relationship. The conversation was honest and encouraging. The parks department is underfunded and stretched thin - but that's exactly why a community group like ours matters. There is genuine appetite at the city level to work with us, as we get organized.
We took a hard look at the park.
We walked every corner of Bill Robinson Park and assessed what we have. The good news: the pickleball and tennis courts are in excellent shape. The futsal pitch and basketball court are well-used and well-kept. The baseball field is in need of a little love, but it's still a great space for games and practices. The open fields are beautiful, but fairly neglected.
There's also real work to do. The playground needs attention. The sidewalks are being pushed up by tree roots, and the horseshoe pits turned garden - a space full of potential - has sat unattended for years. We're already in conversations about what it would take to bring it back to life.
What comes next.
Over the next few months, we'll be pulling everything we've heard into a Strategic Plan for the park - a community-backed document that names our priorities, guides our advocacy with the city, and helps us make the case for funding and improvements.
We're also planning our first Community Cleanup Day. More details soon. It will be a chance to meet your neighbors, make a visible difference, and help set the tone for what this group is about.
If you want to be part of what comes next - whether that's showing up for a cleanup, joining the core team, or simply staying in the loop - sign up for updates on our website.
This park belongs to all of us. Let's take care of it together.