Community Tree Care - Blackwell Park w/ Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

Trees for a Healthier Future!

Tree canopy coverage is an important asset to urban areas - creating healthier, safer, and more connected communities. From cleaning our air and filtering our water, to slowing down storm surge and flooding in our cities, trees also provide shade that can cool neighborhoods by up to 10 degrees, helping to prevent heat-related deaths and illessess in urban areas that suffer from heat island effect. Green spaces and park settings are also linked to better health outcomes, such as reducing stress-related mental health issues, improving overall health development in children, as well as encouraging physical activity.

Join the City of Richmond's Parks & Rec and our partners, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, for some tree care and beautification of Blackwell Park (Charlie Sydnor Playground), located in the Southside. Help us take care of some recent improvents to the park, as well as create better growing conditions for the trees and native plants by the popular nature playground area.   

Funding for this project is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Volunteer Duties & Responsibilities:
Volutneers will be assisting staff from Parks & Rec and the Alliance in various tasks such as weeding, spreading mulch, and litter pick up. Volunteers may want to bring along sunscreen or a head covering, as well as a refillable water bottle (and snack if needed). Accompanied and supervised children are allowed (with a signed waiver) but please no pets! 

Qualifications, Skills, & Requirements:
Tools and gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring along your own gloves if preferred. Be sure to wear sturdy closed toed shoes/boots, long pants and long sleeves. No prior experience or special skills necessary, though some lifting (max. 50lbs), bending, squating, kneeling, sitting on the ground, reaching, grasping, pushing/pulling and stooping will be required. All activities will be located within the park next to a popular walking trail and playground, so please be prepared to interact with park visitors. Please be aware of the weather forecast, and dress accordingly (this event is rain or shine, however advance communication will be sent if we need to cancel).   

Time Commitment:
Multiple volunteer opportunties are available, please see below for specific dates and times. Be sure to arrive on time and plan on staying for the full duration. We ask that all attendees pre-register to help us plan number of tools and materials.  

Other Information:

• Volunteer hours will be verified within 72hrs after the end of the event, though the CFengage website. Please bring your paperwork with you if a seperate form needs to be signed.
• If arriving by bicycle, there are utility posts nearby, just be sure to bring a cable lock 
• If arriving by GRTC Bus, Route 87 has nearby stops. Please visit http://ridegrtc.com/planning-your-trip/trip-planner for more details. 
• If arriving by vehicle, there is a small parking lot next to the basketball court, and plenty of street parking available along Maury Street and East 15th Street - check your email for the map and instructions, and please look for signs once arriving. Car pooling is encouraged!

Have questions or want to learn more details about this event? Feel free to reach out to [email protected]!