Community
Friends of Fonticello Park Launch New Website and Continue Work to Improve Park
Learn more about efforts to make Fonticello/Carter Jones become a park that serves and enriches the community.
Fonticello/Carter Jones Park has been around in one form or another since 1915. The surrounding area was subdivided and sold as lots, but the 11 acre section remained undeveloped as a park, and Fonticello Park was created alongside the establishment of the Woodland Heights and Swansboro neighborhoods. In 1924, soon after the land was annexed by Richmond, Councilman Carter Jones successfully advocated for the continued use of the land as a park, saving it from development. The park was subsequently renamed for him.
In 2020, the Friends group is made up of neighborhood volunteers who advocate for and collaborate to maintain and improve the park after years of neglect and deferred maintenance.
The Friends of Fonticello Park is actively involved in working with the City of Richmond through the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to make improvements to the park that are aligned with the needs and vision of the community.
Friends of Fonticello Park recently launched a new slick website (https://fonticelloparkrva.com/) and Instagram @carterjonesfriends. Instagram looks to be a great way to keep up on what’s coming up in the Park and get involved. For example there is a planning meeting tonight.
View this post on Instagram
There are four main areas in the park that the Friends are working to improve right now.
- The Food Forest – Currently our FREE FarmStand is every Wednesday. Community members can visit any weekly Farm Stand to help set up, break down, go through produce for compost, or help in the food forest with weeding or planting. There’s always lots to do on Wednesdays.Our vision is to transition the FarmStand into an “always open” rotating free farm stand and food pantry, assisted by a network of volunteers who gather viable produce and rotate it into the farm stand while composting what can no longer be used.
- Dog Park – During the pandemic shut down in 2020, all organized sports at the baseball fields came to a halt. During this time of social isolation, many came to use the baseball fields as a safe space to run their dogs. The park eventually placed “no dog” signs at the entrance of the fields and used heavy chains and locks to prevent people from entering. This didn’t stop people from using their park and fields to exercise their dogs in a safe way in a large expanse of unused space. It was during this time that the need for a dog park became evident.A group of neighbors are currently working together to envision what a dog park could be in order to present their plan to the city. They held their first meeting on August 28th, 2022. After hearing community feedback, the group in attendance felt the eastern baseball field (decommissioned) would be the best place to put a dog park to address concerns about noise and location. Meeting notes can be viewed on the Agendas page and this page will be updated throughout the process to keep the community abreast of the plan and progress.
- Skate Park – The current conceptual plan and recent community surveys have all advocated to prioritize an expanded skate park. At the meeting held on September 14, 2022, the city stated there was no funding to move forward and that the community would need to raise funds for this expansion.Our plan is to continue to work with both the City and skateboarders to prioritize the expansion of the skatepark. If you are interested in getting involved in this work, please let us know on the form on the Get Involved page.
- Native Meadow– During the September 21, 2022, Friends of Fonticello Park meeting with Parks and Recreation, Shamar Young proposed that the city could begin immediately working on a native meadow in the old playground space. He indicated they would be willing to till and level the area and plant wildflower seed in that space as part of the city’s attempt to become a “Bee City” .While this idea was intriguing, unfortunately, wildflower mixes are only native to the country usually, not the region. While they would provide immediate gratification, the Friends of Fonticello Park would rather see this done with true native plants from our local ecosystems. We want to make this an educational space in the park, where community members can come to learn about local ecosystem plants, how they support wildlife and native pollinators, increase soil health, and contribute to cleaner waterways. Our hope is that we may even be able to support seed sharing for folks to plant in their own yard gardens.
- The Spring – They’re also looking at reopening the natural spring that is in the park but there are numerous hurdles including water quality etc. with that plan.
If you want to help the most obvious way is to follow them on Instagram, and check out the website to get involved with meetings and workdays.
Another way to help is to make a financial donation. The Friends have partnered with Verdant Richmond to accept donations.
Verdant Richmond was founded in May, 2017 to address the – at times – poor condition of Richmond’s parks and public green spaces. Through volunteer efforts and charitable donations from the community, local small businesses, and the city’s large corporations and foundations, we work to revive and maintain the green spaces that provide moments of tranquility to the city’s residents.
Community
Kickers to Host Guatemalan Giants Comunicaciones FC For July 18 International Friendly
The Kickers are set to host an international team at City Stadium for the first time since 2018.
The Richmond Kickers are excited to announce they will host an international friendly at City Stadium for the first time since 2018 on Tuesday, July 18th when they face off against Guatemalan giants and 31-times national champions, Comunicaciones FC from Guatemala City.
Tickets for the match are on sale now for Kickers+ and Season Ticket members who have first rights to tickets as a benefit of being a member. Fans can head to richmondkickers.com/
“We’re excited to welcome Comunicaciones FC to our home at City Stadium, and we are especially thrilled to bring back an international soccer friendly to Richmond after a five-year hiatus,” Kickers’ President and Chief Operating Officer Camp Peery said. “Our intention is to make this celebration of the global game a staple event for our fans and our community every year moving forward.”
The arrival of Comunicaciones next month to the River City marks a renewed commitment by the Kickers to host international sides annually after the COVID-19 pandemic complicated the possibility in recent seasons.
Richmond last hosted an international side on July 26, 2018, when RCD Espanyol of Spain’s La Liga came to town. Previously, the club has also hosted Premier League sides like Crystal Palace FC (2014), West Bromwich Albion (2015), and Swansea City AFC (2016 and 2017).
Founded in 1949, Comunicaciones is one of the most successful clubs in Guatemala with a massive following. The club is famous for its cream-colored home kits and is affectionately nicknamed Los Cremas (The Creams). They are also known as El Hexacampeón in honor of winning six-straight championships – the only club in the country to do so.
Fans will be familiar with Comunicaciones after the club’s qualification in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League. The club defeated Colorado Rapids FC of the MLS 1-1 on aggregate (4-3 penalties) in the round of 16 before facing New York City FC of the MLS in the quarterfinals. The epic two legs that finished 5-5 on aggregate against NYCFC saw the MLS side win 3-1 in Hartford, Conn. before Comunicaciones earned a come-from-behind 4-2 victory in Guatemala City. However, NYCFC would advance on away goals.
Comunicaciones won the 2021 CONCACAF League – a second-tier continental league underneath the CONCACAF Champions League – which earned qualification for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League. During their trophy-winning run in 2021, the club won seven matches while only dropping one during the tournament while finishing with a plus-7 goal differential and six players on the team of the tournament.
Fresh off of a finish at the top of the cumulative table in Liga Nacional de Guatemala, Comunicaciones made it to the semifinals of the Clausura tournament just last month.
For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers’ swag, and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/
Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers’ official team app for news, contests, and more!
Community
Lane Closures – Forest Hill Avenue between Westover Hills and Dorchester
They’ve started work on the intersection of Westover Hills Boulevard and Forest Hill Avenue. Expect some minor inconveniences in the coming months.
From DPU
WHO: City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (https://twitter.com/DPUStreetNews)
WHAT: Lane closures for a water replacement project
WHEN: Work has started and is scheduled to be complete by October 2023
WHERE: Forest Hill Avenue between Westover Hills Boulevard and Dorchester Road
PROJECT SCOPE: Water mains will be replaced in both east and westbound lanes of Forest Hill. Traffic will be reduced to one lane as needed for the duration of this project.
Community
RPS Cancels Last Two Days of School and Statement by Superintendent Kamaras
Most Graduation ceremonies will restart next week, with Open High’s ceremony this Friday.
Dear #RPSStrong Family,
As you have likely heard by now, the two individuals killed in yesterday’s tragedy were Shawn Smith, a Huguenot HS senior, and his step-father, Lorenzo Smith. Please join me in expressing our deepest condolences to Ms. Smith; yesterday, she lost her son and her husband. As superintendent – and as a father, husband, and son – I grieve today with Ms. Smith and her entire family.
I did not know Shawn, but I shook his hand and wished him congratulations about 20 minutes before he died. Those who did know him, like Kevin Olds, a former assistant principal at Huguenot and now the principal at Wythe HS, described him as “bubbly” and “the life of the party.” Mr. Olds shared the following reflection with me.
When Shawn started ninth grade, he struggled a bit with the structure of high school. As a result, he often found his way to my office. I’m grateful for that because, over time, we formed a strong bond.
Shawn had a joyous and infectious smile. His sense of humor made him full of life, laughter, and all things fun. He was also a very bright young man who could master any textbook.
At times, Shawn wanted to give up, and he considered dropping out of school. But the safety net of the village would not allow that. In addition to his loving parents, a whole team at Huguenot supported him – especially Ms. Harris and Mr. Christmas, school counselors, and Ms. Wilson, school social worker. Because of their efforts and Shawn’s diligence, he graduated yesterday. I am utterly heartbroken that his life ended just minutes later.
If you wish to financially support the Smith family in this very difficult time, please consider donating to the RPS Trauma Healing Response Fund. Established by the RPS Education Foundation, this fund will manage donations to aid RPS victims of gun violence and their families.
Additionally, if you have any information about the shooting, please contact the Richmond Police Department at (804) 780-6461 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.
School Closure – In light of yesterday’s tragedy, and out of an abundance of caution, I am closing school for students for our last day and a half (Thursday, June 8, and Friday, June 9). All school events, including moving on ceremonies and end of year celebrations, are also canceled.
Though we won’t have school for students tomorrow, families and students can still come by to drop of technology, pick up grab-and-go breakfast and lunch, and retrieve medications and other student items. Be on the lookout for school-specific instructions from your principal. If any family needs help getting to their child’s school, please call our Family Support Line at (804) 780-6195.
Remaining High School Graduation Ceremonies – Class of 2023 commencement ceremonies will take place next week inside our schools. See below for the schedule. Details about tickets and livestreaming will be provided tomorrow. Please note the following additional security measures:
- No bags of any kind will be permitted inside the school (no exceptions).
- No flowers, balloons, or amplified devices of any kind will be permitted inside the school.
- Everyone will be subject to searches.
- Open High School – Friday, June 9, 9 am, at Richmond Community High School
- Franklin Military Academy – Monday, June 12, 9 am, at Franklin Military Academy
- Armstrong High School – Monday, June 12, 11:30 am, at Armstrong High School
- Thomas Jefferson High School – Monday, June 12, 2 pm, at Thomas Jefferson High School
- John Marshall High School – Tuesday, June 13, 9 am, at John Marshall High School
- George Wythe High School – Tuesday, June 13, 12 pm, at John Marshall High School
Mental Health Resources – If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please access the resources below. There is absolutely no shame in doing so. I have accessed them, and I urge you to do the same.
- The RPS Crisis Team will be providing virtual support to students and families from 11 am – 4 pm and 5 pm – 7 pm. You can access the support through Google Meet.
- Students who need emergency mental health support should call the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority at (804) 819-4100 or the ChildSavers Immediate Response line at (804) 305-2420 (or send a text to 741741).
- An additional counseling resource available to students and families is Challenge Discovery Projects. Their counselors can be reached by calling (804) 643-0002.
- The Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center will be open all day for any Latino/Hispanic individuals affected by the shooting. Their 24/7 hotline number is (804) 728-0048.
- The Trauma Healing Response Network is a coalition of grassroots, community-based organizations and mental health partners that provide support services to families and communities impacted by gun violence. The network can also facilitate the distribution of emergency relief funds to help those in crisis. For more information, email [email protected].
- RPS employees in need of emergency support should contact the Cigna 24/7 crisis line at (833) ME-CIGNA (833-632-4462). Additional counseling and support services are also available through the Cigna Employee Assistance (EAP) program by calling (800) 544-6931.
- If you are looking for resources to help you talk to your children about this latest tragedy, please see this document from the National Council on Family Relations.
With great appreciation and love,
Kickers to Host Guatemalan Giants Comunicaciones FC For July 18 International Friendly
Lane Closures – Forest Hill Avenue between Westover Hills and Dorchester
RPS Cancels Last Two Days of School and Statement by Superintendent Kamaras
Photo of the Day: Bryan Park Races
Friends of Fonticello Park Awarded Virginia Outdoor Foundation Get Outdoors Grant for Native Meadow Project
Virginia’s medical cannabis program has ‘improved’ but more needed to meet expectations
Richmond Needs This: Surfing
Author Sadeqa Johnson discusses The House of Eve on June 8 as part of the Library of Virginia’s 2023 Carole Weinstein Author Series
Science Museum of Virginia offering special $10 admission days on 10 separate dates this year
