City to Hold Sept. 11 Day of Service and Remembrance

In conjunction with the City of Richmond’s Neighbor-To-Neighbor Initiative and HandsOn Greater Richmond, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will hold a Day of Service and Remembrance on Sunday, September 11, 2011 in recognition of the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In addition, residents are asked to give back to the community by volunteering for various projects throughout the City.

        Volunteers can sign up in advance to help with a project at http://www.richmondgov.com/NeighbortoNeighbor/VolunteerLocally, as well as at the remembrance ceremony, which will be held at the Carillon at 9 a.m. All volunteers will receive a free commemorative t-shirt and are invited to attend the ceremony prior to assisting with their chosen volunteer projects. The projects will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.The general public is invited to attend the ceremony.

       “I encourage City residents to come together and serve their community through volunteerism in honor of the brave men and women who lost their lives on 9/11,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones.

        Volunteer projects include: a cleanup at Cannon Creek that will help with the development of a new greenway and bicycle and walking trail, a cleanup of graffiti on Belle Isle, and a cleanup of the Dogwood Dell theater at the Carillon. Sturdy shoes and long sleeve shirts and pants are required for the cleanup of Cannon Creek and Belle Isle. All volunteers should bring work gloves and be able to work in a rugged environment. The cleanup of the theatre would be an excellent project for anyone who enjoys theater and the Dogwood Dell. 

       There are a wide variety of other 9/11 volunteer projects from which to choose. For the entire list of volunteer opportunities, please visit http://www.richmondgov.com/NeighborToNeighbor/911ServiceWeek.aspx. All volunteers should bring their own water and snacks. For more information, please call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities at 646-5733.

Public Pools, Some Community Centers Closed

All city parks and recreation swimming pools are closed today due to power outages and storm debris. Site inspections are currently underway, and pools will re-open once determined safe for public use. 

     In addition, the following community centers are closed today due to power outages: Westover, Ann Hardy, Hotchkiss, Battery Park, and Creighton Court.

Tonight's Movie in the Park Cancelled; Park Trails May be Closed

Due to impending inclement weather, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities has cancelled tonight’s Movie in the Park at Jefferson Park, “Dogs and Cats: Revenge of Kitty Galore.” the movie, which will concludes the department’s series of free family Movies in the Park, will be rescheduled at a future date.
       In addition, it is the department’s policy to close park trails for 24 hours for every inch of rain the City receives. In the event that this occurs, signs will be posted at the trailheads.

Department Extends Free Movies in the Park Series

Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities has added another free movie to its series of family films shown in parks around the city. “Cats and Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore” will be shown at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26, in Jefferson Park at 21^st and East Marshall streets.  

     In the animated family comedy, cats and dogs join forces for the first time in history to take down Kitty Galore, a former agent for the spy organization MEOWS, who has hatched a diabolical plan to make the world her own scratching post. The film features the voices of Chris O’Donnell and Jack McBrayer in the starring roles.
    This movie concludes the department’s series of free family Movies in the Parks, co-sponsored by 106.5 the Beat. The series kicked off on July 15 in Byrd Park and has featured a PG-rated film every Friday night in a variety of parks around the city.
     Families are encouraged to bring their blankets, popcorn and drinks to enjoy the movie.

City to Host First Friday Event Promoting Teen Arts

The City of Richmond in conjunction with First Friday’s will host RVA presents The Lounge at Center Stage (The Lounge).  This Teen Arts event will take place outside at Seventh and Broad streets on Aug. 5, 2011, from 6 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The pilot project - coordinated by Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities; Richmond Police; CenterStage and SMG, with support from the business community and city youth - will showcase youth and their art, from musical acts, spoken word and poetry, to visual and participatory arts. Utilizing programs created by young people involved in the Police Department’s Youth Commission, The Lounge will offer youth 21 and younger a platform for freedom of expression and a place to meet and enjoy the art and entertainment of their peers.

     “It is our role to help teens further realize their potential, and we are excited about this new opportunity and public/private partnership,” said Norman C. Merrifield, Ed. D., director of Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities.

     More than seven acts will be featured this Friday, highlighting young adults offering their own form of artistic expression, and The Lounge will continue to provide teen programs on First Fridays throughout the year with promotional support from Radio One.

     “I can’t think of a better way to expand the reach of First Friday's than The Lounge, and CenterStage is thrilled to be a part of this innovative partnership with the City,” said CenterStage Executive Director Richard M. Parison Jr. “Visitors to CenterStage know how fortunate we are to have such a thriving performing arts community in Richmond, and the talented young people who will be featured at these events truly embody the spirit of this community.”

    “This is an opportunity for Richmond’s teens to demonstrate the positive interactions that we want to showcase within our city,” said Chief Norwood. “The Lounge is not intended to limit our youth’s ability to mingle with other art enthusiasts, but it encourages them to expand their experience downtown and offers an alternative positive means of doing this.”

James River Park Programs Scheduled

The department has scheduled three programs to be held in its James River Park System.       
     On Friday, July 29, children and their families are invited to come to the park’s headquarters at Reedy Creek, 4001 Riverside Drive, for a program called “Insects at Night.” This program offers a hands-on investigation of insects caught in light traps and is co-sponsored by the James River Park System and VCU. No fee or advance registration is required for the program, which will take place from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

     On Saturday, July 30, back by popular demand, the department will offer a guided Torch-Lit Walk on the Slave Trail. The walk, which will cost $5 per person, will start at 8:30 p.m. from Ancarrow’s Landing, located at 1308 Bander St. No advance registration is required, and return transportation to the parking lot following the walk will be provided.

     On Friday, Aug. 12, the department will offer a “Moonlight Paddle and Picnic for Wounded Warriors.” This free program is co-sponsored by the James River Park System, the James River Outdoor Coalition and McGuire Veterans Hospital, and all veterans, “wounded warriors,” handicapped individuals, and the general public are invited to participate. The event will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Huguenot Flatwater, located at 8200 Riverside Drive. Advance registration by Wednesday, Aug. 10, is required by calling (804) 646-8911. There is no fee to participate.

 

Grant Helps City Provide Free Summer Meals for Children

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will be able to expand and enhance its free summer meals program for children and its child and adult care food programs with a funding boost from Walmart and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The department was among 30 agencies chosen nationwide to benefit from a $2.1 million grant from the Walmart Foundation and will receive $40,000.         The funding is part of Walmart’s Summer Giving Campaign, a broad $25 million initiative aimed at filling the gaps in food service created when schools close for summer. The initiative is expected to impact more than 110,000 U.S. middle and high school students throughout the summer months.
        “Kids should have every opportunity to grow into successful adults and we’re doing our part to make sure that’s the case this summer,” said Walmart Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs Leslie Dach. “From helping thousands of kids stay active and learn, to supporting summer job programs and providing nutritious meals, we’re committed to making a difference.”
        “Helping children and families in Richmond is a key objective of our department,” said department director, Dr. Norman C. Merrifield. “We are thrilled to be a part of NRPA’s national effort to combat hunger, particularly in these difficult economic times. With this generous support from the Walmart Foundation, we hope to provide an additional 50,000 healthy meals and snacks through our food service programs for free.”
        The department has provided food services since 1983 and will use its share of the funding to hire additional staff to help serve food, to buy additional tables and chairs to enhance service, and to market its food programs. The meals and snacks used by the department are provided through U.S. Department of Agriculture feeding programs and served for free at department community centers and other sites throughout Richmond and the surrounding area. No advance registration is required to walk in and receive a free meal or snack, and any agency or organization that provides programs for youth ages one up to 18 can participate as a food service site in the department’s programs.
        “Park and recreation agencies are on the frontline in the fight to build and maintain healthy communities,” said Barbara Tulipane, CEO of NRPA. “This generous gift from the Walmart Foundation will help our local champions provide nutritious meals for millions of children and support the development of a healthy, connected and active generation of Americans.”
Kids Eat Free meal locations:

About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives. For additional information on how Walmart is bringing its commitment to hunger relief to life this summer, visit http://www.walmart.com/fightinghunger/.

About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities for the City of Richmond strives to provide exceptional recreation programs and park facilities to enhance the quality of life for its citizens and visitors to the city and to preserve and protect the city’s natural areas of unique or exceptional scenic, cultural, archaeological or historic significance for future generations to enjoy and embrace. For more information on NRPA’s food service programs, contact Jimmy O’Connor, senior manager of corporate grants, at joconnor@nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrec-magazine.org.

About the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities