Community Garden Program Converts Unused Parcels of Land

Through the support of the Green Richmond Initiative, the city has launched the Richmond Grows Garden program. The program encourages the use of city-owned parcels of land for the development of community gardens throughout Richmond.

Community gardens provide a wealth of benefits when operated efficiently, including environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, cohesiveness in communities and increased social equity among other immeasurable assets.

The City of Richmond defines "community gardens" as a portion of city-owned property used to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, wood products and native or ornamental plants for non-commercial purposes, i.e. where there is no exchange of goods for monetary value. A "commercial garden" is defined similarly, but with products grown for sale.  

Community garden parcels are available through an online application process, while commercial garden parcels are available through a lease negotiation with the city’s Department of Economic and Community Development. They require approval from City Council.

More information on the benefits of community gardens and the application process for obtaining a parcel of land can be found on the city's community garden webpage.

Fix a Leak Week - March 12 -18, 2012

Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks?

Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year. That's why the EPA's WaterSense program reminds Americans to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems each year during Fix a Leak Week.

Mayor Dwight Jones encourages all residents to join with the city of Richmond in observing Fix-a-Leak Week, March 12–18, 2012.

The Planters of 14th and Main

They've been called bunkers, trenches, and a number of other colorful names, but the mysterious sidewalk objects of 14th and Main streets are just another way the city is turning green. These are bioretention planters and are essential in low-impact sustainable design.

Bioretention planters are designed to filter pollutants from rainwater runoff as well as provide ample room from greenery in cityscapes.  

As rainwater flows through the sidewalks and city streets it picks up a variety of contaminants along the way, which can cause harm to the James River system. These bioretention planters are designed to reduce the amount of pollutants from rainwater runoff through a sustainable filtration system. 

These planters didn't look empty for long. During the spring and summer of 2012, a variety of plant life filled them to the brim, which not only added aesthetics and filtration, but kept pedestrians from a misplaced step!