Frequently Asked Questions

Investment

Investing in parks creates spaces that reflect a community’s unique identity and history, while fostering belonging, civic pride, and even local leadership.

  1. Beautification Projects

  2. Volunteer cleanups

  3. Community Events

  4. Fundraising efforts

  5. Educational activities

  6. Advocacy around park needs and improvements

Safety

Non-Emergencies call 311

Emergencies call 911

We ask that you observe park rules in order to protect the park and each other. If you see something of concern in the park (graffiti, large amounts of trash, trees down across main lines, fires of any sort, unruly behavior, etc.) please use the non-emergency number 311 to report the issue. If an emergency call 911.

JACKSON WARD

JACKSON WARD

is a historically significant neighborhood in the northern portion of downtown Richmond, Virginia, celebrated as "The Harlem of the South" and "The Black Wall Street" for its rich African-American business, cultural, and architectural history.

Boundaries: Bordered by N. Belvidere Street to the west, Interstate 95 to the north, roughly N. 3rd Street to the east, and E. Broad Street to the south.

Designation: Listed as a National Historic Landmark District, featuring one of the largest concentrations of pre-Civil War houses and ornate cast-iron porches second only to New Orleans.

Places to Visit:

Maggie L. Walker Historic National Site. (600 N. 2nd St.): Former Victorian home of civil rights pioneer and America's first woman bank president.

Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virgina. (Leigh Street). Features regional African-American history, arts, and rotating exhibits in the heart of the district.

Hippodrome Theater (2nd Street) a famous entertainment landmark.

Fun Things

  1. Safe and fun play areas for children.

  2. Sport spaces for young people with the basketball court and the football field

  3. Parent-Children socials

  4. Flea markets and other co-creation activities

  5. Walk at Ease - Walk clubs, Tai Chi, Yoga, Small group workouts

  6. Community and social events

  7. Faith Based Worship

  8. Outdoor Work Training

  9. Play a board game or card game

  10. Watch the Clouds or Stargaze

  11. Celebrate Something Small

  12. Sketch, Paint of Take Photos

  13. Play Catch or Frisbee

  14. Take Your Lunch Break there

  15. Just Sit and Breathe

  16. Have a No Phone Hour with Friends

  17. Bring your Dog for a walk

  18. Birthday Parties

  19. Sunset Park Date

  20. Bike Ride

Promoting Health

The rising rates of chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and social isolation are straining residents - and city budgets. Parks can help.

  1. A 20 minute walk can lower stress hormones.

  2. Parks foster connections and address loneliness.

  3. Parks make people more active.

We are a park proudly near a medical and research university - Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Projects

  1. Marker in the park to say who Abner Clay was/2 children that were killed.

  2. Yearly donation to the Tommie’s Fund and a park bench dedicated to Tommie, the dog that was burned, in that square below the playground.

  3. Safe Route to Parks Walk Audit

  4. Additional dog waste stations in the park

  5. Updating playground equipment -reviewing sensory and ADA accessibility in 5 years

  6. Grills near the basketball court

  7. 501-c-3 non profit

  8. Board

  9. Christmas decorations on light poles throughout the Ward

  10. Summer night basketball league

  11. Neighbor’s sick and shut in (phone calls)

  12. Recognize the anonymous donor from 2017

  13. Relocate the white mini library facing Leigh Street on the field side that is not a part of the park to a walk friendly locations such as next to a bus stop in the Ward