City of Richmond project selected as winner of national ‘Play Everywhere Challenge’

A proposed local outdoor community revitalization project has been selected as a winner of the national Play Everywhere Challenge, it was announced this week. Active RVA, a program of Sports Backers–in partnership with the City of Richmond–received the nationwide recognition for the idea entitled “Upswing,” which proposes installing retractable jump ropes outside of barber shops and salons in low-income neighborhoods in Richmond. The installation, the group hopes, will provide children and families the opportunity to play, jump, connect with one another.

The award was announced Tuesday by KaBoom!, a Washington, D.C., based non-profit that has built playgrounds around the country since it was founded in 1996.

Active RVA worked with the City of Richmond to lead the design and application process. The Richmond project was selected as one of 50 nationwide from over 1,000 applications.

“During the economic recession, many businesses in the city couldn’t sustain, but the barbershops and salons have,” SportsBackers said in a news release concerning the award. “Through this opportunity for active lifestyles, this project will support the community as a place where activity, fun, and fitness are valued and integrated with everyday life.”

Installation will begin in spring of 2017.

Richmond’s status as a winner was included in a New York Times article as well.