City of Richmond Pilots Community Composting Program

Initiative seeks to reduce food waste from local landfills

The City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PCRF) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service to receive a $90,000 grant to pilot a community composting program. The Richmond Compost Initiative is currently funded through early Fall 2023. The initiative seeks to divert food waste from the landfill by providing options for composting at convenient, citywide drop-off locations and then cycle that organic waste into high quality compost for community use.

Funds will be spent on the planning, design, and construction of a medium scale compost processing site, materials for neighborhood drop stations, and a contract with a dedicated site manager. PRCF and the Department of Public Works are providing support for the pilot in the form of a site, personnel, and equipment. RealRoots Food Systems LLC has been contracted to manage the processing of the food scraps into a high quality finished compost.

Engaging the community is a focal goal of this pilot program. In total, there will be approximately 20 neighborhood drop-off stations across the City of Richmond, housed by community gardens, public libraries, and other community organizations. Outreach will focus on both existing composters and people new to composting. For those who are already composting, this is an opportunity to contribute to a collective effort that will produce compost both at a larger scale and at more rapid rate than individual efforts. For those less familiar with composting, this initiative aims to introduce the concept of cycling organic waste while providing an accessible opportunity to begin diverting waste from the landfill. The combined results will yield compost that will be provided to community gardens and public greenspaces.

A team from Public Works will service the collection bins weekly, bringing the organic matter to a central site. There, members of Park and Recreation’s Workforce Development Program will transform it into high quality, usable compost for redistribution. The Richmond Compost Initiative is an important step in progressing towards the city’s sustainability goals as outlined in the RVAGreen 2050 plan, slated for adoption by city council later this year.

For more information about the Richmond Compost Initiative or the department’s Community Garden program, visit https://www.rva.gov/index.php/parks-recreation/community-gardens. For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Richmond, VA – During a recent inspection of park-maintained bridges, the pedestrian bridge that leads to Texas Beach was found to be structurally unsafe for public use. This bridge will be closed effective immediately.

Visitors to the area will be able to access the James River shore by taking the North Bank Trail east towards downtown until further notice.

Parks and Recreation staff will be available during the holiday weekend to assist visitors and ensure their safety as they access all areas of the James River Park System.

For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As part of the 65^th annual Festival of Arts, the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) will be hosting a Fourth of July celebration at Dogwood Dell.

This free event will feature the reading of the Declaration of Independence at 6 p.m., a presentation of the Declaration of Independence at 6:30 p.m., a performance by the Richmond Jazz Concert Band at 7 p.m., and a concert of patriotic and pop music by The Richmond Concert Band at 8 p.m. There will also be a performance of “The 1812 Overture” featuring the concert band at 9 p.m. during the fireworks display.

Richmond Police Department will enforce the following no parking areas from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on July 4.

• 700-1000 block of Blanton Avenue  between Garrett Street and Grant Street (Both sides)
• Arthur Ashe Boulevard between Blanton and Idlewood Avenue (Both sides)
• Park Drive between Pump House Dr. and Blanton Avenue (Both sides)
• Idlewood Avenue between S. Arthur Ashe Boulevard and S. Robinson Street  (Both sides)

Arthur Ashe Boulevard will close to vehicular traffic at 6 pm. Free parking is available at the Dell, with over flow parking available at City Stadium, 3201 Maplewood Avenue with free shuttle bus service beginning at 4 p.m. Vendors and family activities will also be available on site.  For more information, please call (804) 646-3677.

For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

RICHMOND, Va. –   Parking restrictions will be in place for the Jubilation in June Festival and Fireworks Event sponsored by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities this weekend. The event will take place at the Intermediate Terminal located at 3101 Wharf Street at Rockets Landing.

On-street parking will be prohibited in the following areas starting at 10 p.m. Friday, June 17 and ending at 11 p.m. on Sunday, June 19:

• 3400-4300 blocks of East Main Street (both sides) between the Terminal Warehouse/Kickstand and Nicholson Street

Also, there will be no parking in the lot off Wharf Street near the Virginia Capital Trail.

Additionally, Ancarrow’s Landing Boat Ramp will be closed from 8 a.m. Saturday, June 18 through 8 a.m. Monday, June 20.

Note: All restricted locations will be marked accordingly. Towing and ticketing of unauthorized vehicles will be enforced while the parking restrictions are in place. Towing will start at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 18.

For more information on this event, go to www.rva.gov/summer or contact Tamara Jenkins at Tamara.Jenkins@rva.gov.

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on Twitter @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1.

Looking for something to do this summer? The City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities (PRCF) is sure to have an event or program to kick start your summer along with great, free activities for everyone in your family!

This year, the department will host the inaugural Jubilation in June Festival, with the kickoff beginning at the 65^th annual Festival of Arts on Friday, June 17 at 8 p.m. with a performance from the R&B cover band Legacy Band at Dogwood Dell, 600 S. Arthur Ashe Blvd. For those not able to make it to the amphitheater, the department will also have a live stream on Facebook. On Saturday, June 18, the department will host “Shared History in Stories” at 17^th Street Market beginning at 10 a.m. as part of the Jubilation in June weekend celebration. “Shared History in Stories” will have a theater production titled “Journey to Freedom” performed by students from the Journey- Mapping Your Career program from the Cultural Arts division. On Sunday June 19, Jubilation in June will culminate with a festival on at Deepwater Terminal (3101 Wharf Street) beginning at 4 p.m. This festival will feature performances from local artist Bee Bouiseou and national recording artists The Hamiltones performing from their album “1964”. The festival will end with a fireworks show beginning at 9:15 p.m.

Saturday night for the Festival of Arts brings out the Kings of Swing (better known as KOS) to the Dell stage playing pop and beach music. The full season schedule can be found on the Parks and Recreation website.

On Thursday, June 23, residents are invited to join PRCF for the introduction of RVA Summer Nights starting at Monroe Park. Local band, Weekend Plans will kick off this new addition to our summer line up. The full schedule is listed on the full Festival of Arts schedule on the department website.

The department is also hosting summer camps that are slated to begin on July 5. There are still slots available for the Great Summer Escape, Hickory Hill Theater Intensive, Summer Dance Intensive, Summer Quest for Teens, and Nature Film Camp.  More information can be found on our registration site parksandrecreation.richmondgov.com under the “Summer Camp” tab.

For more information about the department, follow PRCF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.