Advocating for Five New Parks in the Southside

Volunteers from Groundwork RVA’s Green Team pose for a photo after completing a litter pickup at Reedy Creek Wetland, site of a future Southside park.

Southside ReLeaf helped lead advocacy efforts that inspired the City of Richmond to commit five public parcels in South Richmond for future park development — the first new parks planned in communities of color in Richmond since the 1970s. Rooted in the goals of the Richmond 300 Master Plan, this effort aimed to address long-standing inequities in park access, tree canopy, and environmental investment in historically redlined neighborhoods that experience higher heat and fewer public green spaces.

Since the announcement in 2020, Southside ReLeaf has played a key role in shaping the future of these parks through community engagement, ecological restoration, and collaborative partnerships with residents, nonprofits, and city agencies. Our work has focused on ensuring these new green spaces reflect community priorities while advancing climate resilience, public health, and environmental justice across South Richmond. Projects include the ongoing development of Ernest Road Park and future parks at Hioaks Water Tower, Rosemont Road, Reedy Creek Wetland, and Broad Rock Creek.

Impact

• Helped secure the commitment of five new public parks in South Richmond communities historically underserved by green space.

• Contributed to the first planned creation of new parks in Richmond communities of color since the 1970s.

• Advanced Richmond 300 goals to ensure residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park or green space.

• Elevated environmental justice and equitable park access as citywide policy priorities.

• Helped catalyze long-term investment in ecological restoration, tree canopy expansion, and climate resilience infrastructure in South Richmond.