Department of Parks Recreation and Community Facilities Announces Merger of Park Ranger and James River Park System Outdoor Education Programs 

Merger will allow for enhanced visitor services within the park system

Richmond, VA – As visitors flock to Richmond’s beloved park spaces, the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, & Community Facilities is announcing the merging of two public-serving programs. Effective immediately, the Park Ranger program and James River Park System Outdoor Education program will become a streamlined initiative, enhancing visitor services through youth and public programs throughout Richmond’s vibrant park system. The mission of the Park Ranger program is to “engage park visitors and improve access to shared spaces.”  

“When the City Council first approved funding for the park ranger program in 2022, the goal was to enhance the experience for park users,” said Kristen Nye, former City Council President and lead patron of the program's funding. “I’m excited to see the program evolve and build on the services already available to Richmond families and park visitors.”   

The combination of Outdoor Education and Park Rangers will expand supportive services throughout Richmond parks. Park visitors can expect to see more opportunities for consistent public programs within and beyond the James River Park System. Park Rangers will lead regularly scheduled programs at the nature center and offer opportunities for volunteers to serve as hosts, trail monitors, or river safety ambassadors.

The Park Ranger program will continue to provide outreach services to individuals visiting the parks, provide wilderness first aid as needed, and facilitate invaluable communication and partnership with first responders during emergencies. Accompanying this expanded scope of services offered to park visitors, the Park Ranger program will continue to provide high quality school programs, summer camps, and professional development opportunities for students and teachers. 

"The best way to ensure our parks are open and welcoming to all has always been through activation of the space," says former James River Park Superintendent and Groundwork RVA Executive Director Nathan Burrell." The merger of these two programs offers just that, by accelerating public engagement opportunities in the spaces we love for all Richmonders".    

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Posted May 6, 2025

~ This event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Main Street Station ~

RICHMOND, VA – In celebration of National Public Works Week, the Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is hosting its first ‘DPW Touch-A-Truck’ Event on Wednesday, May 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Main Street Station. This exciting, free event is designed as a fun way to teach elementary school-aged children about the essential services provided by public works professionals. The event will provide students with a “behind-the-scenes” opportunity to meet the staff who operate the vehicles and watch live demonstrations of the equipment in action.  

Registration is required. Please go to https://arcg.is/0u14Wn1 to complete the registration by May 13.

Note: Bus parking and the drop-off entrance are accessible from 1500 East Franklin Street.

For more information on DPW, go to rva.gov/public-works or email askpublicworks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on activities and events visit us on X @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

The City of Richmond Celebrates Older Americans Month

National Theme for 2025 is “Flipping the Script on Aging”

Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is celebrated every May and led by the Administration on Aging, a division of the Administration for Community Living. It is a time to honor the contributions, achievements, and enduring impact of older Americans while reaffirming our collective commitment to supporting older adults throughout the nation.

This year’s theme, “Flipping the Script on Aging,” emphasizes the powerful impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on the health, well-being, and independence of older adults. It calls attention to how staying socially connected can help combat isolation and loneliness, enabling seniors to age in place with dignity and strength.

In recognition of Older Americans Month, the City of Richmond’s Office of Aging and Disability Services will spotlight a wide array of community-based programs and resources designed to encourage social engagement, including book clubs, health and wellness initiatives, and educational workshops on topics such as health benefits and legal rights. These efforts reflect the city’s ongoing mission to support older adults in remaining active, informed, and independent members of the community.

“In Richmond, we believe that every generation deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. Older Adults Month is a time to honor the wisdom, resilience, and contributions of our seniors—who have helped shape the fabric of our city. By investing in their well-being, we’re not just supporting individuals—we’re strengthening our entire community,” said Mayor Danny Avula.

As the older adult population continues to grow, the City of Richmond remains steadfast in its dedication to building a supportive, inclusive community where residents of all ages can thrive—powered by connection.

Posted May 2, 2025

Richmond E-Cycle: Safely Dispose of Electronics, Documents & Household Hazardous Waste Items

~ This event is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1710 Robin Hood Road ~

WHO:   The Department of Public Works, The Clean City Commission and The Department of Public Utilities

WHAT: Richmond E-Cycle Day Event

WHEN:  Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: 1710 Robin Hood Road (northeast corner of Robin Hood Road and North Arthur Ashe Boulevard)

BACKGROUND:  The City of Richmond’s E-Cycle Day offers City residents an efficient option to recycle paper and electronics to help keep hazardous waste materials out of city waterways, streams, and rivers.

This event is available to city residents – proof of residency is required. Please note, this is a drive-thru event. Volunteers will remove items from the cars. No business or commercial items accepted.

Paper Document Shredding

• • Up to five (5) boxes of documents
  • Be sure to remove all binders, staples and clips

Electronics (various fees apply)

• • Computer systems (hard drive or CPU) and accessories (cables, wires, keyboards, mice, speakers, etc.) VCRs, camcorders, stereos, and all phones
  • Televisions, computer monitors and printers
• Other used electronic equipment (almost anything with a plug - see the online list for clarification)
• Go to www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission to get fees and the full list of electronics to recycle

Household Hazardous Waste Items (HHW)

• Pesticides, herbicides, and oil-based paints
• Bug spray, rodent poison, and herbicides (Roundup, Weed B Gon etc.)
• Latex and water-based paints will not be collected. These items can be left in open paint cans until they have dried out and then put in with regular curbside trash pick-up.

For more information on recycling or the event, please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X (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

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is a premier provider of utility service. DPU provides natural gas, water, wastewater and stormwater service to more than 500,000 residential and commercial customers in the metropolitan region. In addition, DPU operates an electric street lighting utility, which maintains 37,000 streetlights throughout the City.  For more information, visit DPU's website at www.rva.gov/public-utilities

Posted April 30, 2025

~ Find out what the city is doing to manage speeding and learn how you can help ~

Richmond, VA – Get ready to hit the brakes on speeding! Join the City of Richmond’s Department of Public Works (DPW) and its many partners for an action-packed Speed Management Symposium on Thursday, May 22, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street. This is our fourth symposium in two years, and we’re pumped to share how we’re working together to make our streets safer—plus, how YOU can get involved!

Discover game-changing programs like the Safety Camera Program where thirteen school zones on the high injury street network were treated last year.  Over 63,000 times, speeders were notified of their reckless behavior in a school zone during arrival and dismissal times when children are present.

Life is too quick to end.  Let’s shift our culture and be social to slow down together!

What to Expect:

1. Dynamic Presentations: Vision Zero, Richmond Connects, roadway safety projects, and Richmond Police insights
2. Info Booths: Connect with various city departments and non-profits, Richmond Police, VDOT, Bike Walk RVA, and more
3. Q&A Session: Ask away!
4. Heavy Refreshments: RSVP recommended at www.rva.gov/public-works/symposium

For more, visit www.rva.gov/public-works or email AskPublicWorks@rva.gov.

Follow us on X @DPW_RichmondVA for the latest updates.

Let’s make Richmond’s streets safer—see you there!

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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 22right-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

The City of Richmond, Virginia, in 1966, codified one of the oldest continuously operating transportation safety commissions in North America - The Safe and Healthy Streets Commission (SHSC). Since its inception, the SHSC has advised the Richmond City Council on all transportation safety matters. The SHSC has a diverse membership and includes citizens, transportation safety professionals, a city council member, the Chief of Police, the Director of Public Works, the Superintendent of Schools, and the City Transportation Engineer.

The SHSC sets annual priorities focused on executive, legislative, budgetary, and cultural changes. These priorities work towards the Richmond City Council’s 2016 goal, backed by Mayor Stoney, to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries to ZERO by 2030. The SHSC’s annual priorities reflect the City’s commitment to Vision Zero, the Safe System approach (SSA), and Complete Streets policies. The SHSC adopted the twelve strategies and five supplemental planning needs, based on their set annual priorities, to improve Richmond’s built environment and strengthen the culture of safety. With its high-functioning Vision Zero organizational structure, Richmond is well positioned to implement these projects and supplemental planning activities that showcase the impact of the SSA using proven safety countermeasures and low-cost, high-impact strategies.

The Safe and Healthy Streets Commission (SHSC) adopted Richmond’s Vision Zero Action Plan in 2018 and is charged with monitoring and reporting progress on the Action Plan. The Mayor and the SHSC established a Vision Zero Task Force, made up of City department leaders, charged with implementing the strategies, projects, and policies set out in the Action Plan.