The purpose of this monthly newsletter is to keep Foundation partners and affiliate groups better informed with monthly updates on our activities, upcoming meetings, and other news of interest.  Your input is welcome.  If you have content to add to a future newsletter, wish to subscribe, or want to unsubscribe, please contact the Foundation webmaster/secretary, Karen Townsend at KarenTownsend@rrpfoundation.org.

Board of Directors Meeting Summary - Wednesday September 20, 2006, 8:15 am
Landmark Theater

Foundation President Casey Cockerham called the meeting to order.

John Zeugner introduced guest Donna Joyce, President of the Friends of Paradise Park, a Fan area pocket park bordered by Floyd and Grove Avenues and N. Allen and N. Vine Streets. The Friends group is interested in reinstating their partner status, and hope to clean and revitalize the park.

P, R & CF Liaison, Mary Lois Mitchum reported on a very busy month within the department. Randolph Community Center hosted an Open House to acquaint the public with their varied schedule of programs, including a martial arts program taught by “Coach Joe” (Master Zhou Jian Hua).  A “mini-City Hall” has been set up at the Norrell Annex building to address the flooding situation in the Battery Park neighborhood. The new pumps are working and crews are pitching in wherever help is needed, but an estimated 2 ½ years will be needed for full cleanup.

President, Casey Cockerham reported that research and documentation have progressed on the distribution of the Broad Rock funds, and final approvals for expenditures are expected soon.  Discussion continued on the proposed distinction between levels of Foundation partnerships – program partners and project partners – and included a suggestion to clarify the Foundation’s 501c3 requirements for potential partners.  Efforts continue toward creating a paid executive director’s position, and anyone interested in serving on a committee to address this issue is asked to contact Casey Cockerham.

Executive Director, John Zeugner is working on revising the partners’ list, and work continues on the annual report. An endowment has been set up with Davenport LLC for the Friends of James River Park, who are currently working toward acquiring their own 501c3 status.

Treasurer, Carl Otto reported that regarding the 17th Street Market loan, work continues on the document describing jobs, which will help satisfy one component of the loan agreement.  Polly Jefferson, who is handling the deposits for partners, reported that some groups had requested monthly statements. The agreement with the accountant is for quarterly statements, so Polly will discuss options with the specific groups who made the requests.

In other news, Mary Lois Mitchum reported that the Friends of Fonticello Park have gotten grants to renovate the playground, and are seeking volunteers to help with a work day on November 30. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Rose Marie Wiegandt at Rmwfly@aol.com, or Barbara Brock at brockbg@ci.richmond.va.us. Leighton Powell reported on the proposed Riverfront Towers construction that will block the historic view and limit public access. A web site called Save Richmond View is under construction.  John Zeugner reported, from department development director Rachael Arrington, that Philip Morris will contribute to renovations at Calhoun Recreation Center.

Calendar of Upcoming Board Meetings and Other Events

November 15 - Landmark Theater
December 19 - Board Breakfast at Cafe Ole
January 18 - Hotchkiss
February 15 - Highland Park

Regular board Meetings are held at 4:30 pm on the third Wednesday of each month. (NOTE THE NEW MEETING TIME!)  Locations vary as noted above.  Partners are cordially invited to join any or all Board Meetings.  For directions, please refer to the City's web page for community center information.

Partner News

Big Improvements in Store for Fonticello Park...

The Friends of Fonticello Park are seeking volunteers to help renovate the playground located at 29th and Bainbridge Streets. The event will take place from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, rain or shine. Breakfast, Lunch, Beverages & Snacks will be provided.

We need volunteers to help with building the playground, serving food and water and helping with the children's art activities. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Rose Marie Wiegandt at Rmwfly@aol.com or Barbara Brock at brockbg@ci.richmond.va.us.

From the Fan District Association...

Many thanks to all the “Friends of” Groups and volunteers who made October's Fan Parks cleanup such a success. On a beautiful day, we had lots of volunteers turn out to rake, mulch, weed, and plant at our Fan parks.

At Lombardy, Scuffletown, Paradise and Federal Parks, many Fan residents turned out to lend a hand. At Meadow and Monroe Parks, residents were ably assisted by community service workers supervised by Department of Public Works and Sherriff’s Department employees.

Once again the City of Richmond Departments of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Public Works (DPW) provided great and enthusiastic support, providing mulch, tools, trash bags, and trash pickup. DPW delivered mulch on Thursday and Friday, and DPR and DPW were there bright and early Saturday morning and helped into the afternoon, distributing and picking up tools and bagged yard waste. On a beautiful Fall Saturday evening, a tour of our Parks showed them to be looking better than ever.

Suggested Recreation Opportunities in Gillies Park...

Looking for something to do on a chilly winter Wednesday night?
Come join about 20 other bored people in a friendly evening of horseshoe pitching. If the temperature is above 40 degrees F, no rain or snow, this group meets about 6:15 each Wednesday and plays until about 9 PM, all under the lights.
Or
Bring your own disc with an LED light and play disc golf. Its like playing with space ships as the discs fly through the dark toward the "basket".
Any questions, call Carl Otto at 648-3041.

Friends of Forest Hill Park Seeks a New President for 2007...

HELP WANTED: Seeking a self-motivated, dedicated, and imaginative volunteer to serve as the organization's president, and to lead this active and involved park support group to future accomplishments.

BENEFITS: Include the rewards of new associations with community leaders across the city, broader vision of community through interaction with area leadership, satisfaction of knowing that you have made a difference through service to a venerable city landmark.

HOURS: Requires as little as 5 hours per month; more as needed to spearhead special projects.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE will have excellent interpersonal and both verbal and written communication skills, ability to carry group’s message to individuals and community with grace and persistence.

MISSION--FRIENDS OF FOREST HILL PARK:
To preserve, protect, and promote responsible care and use of historic Forest Hill Park, in cooperation with the staff and leadership of the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, and to foster wider knowledge, respect, and understanding of one of Richmond’s oldest and most historic public green-spaces.

JOB DESCRIPTION: President

• Spearhead the organization’s ideas, events, and projects, with the input and assistance of other officers and members, to maintain and improve park facilities and grounds, including 1843 Stone House and 119 acres of park fields, forests, and streams, including Reedy Creek and wetland/lake area. (see Goals List attached)
• Lead quarterly meetings of Friends of Forest Hill Park.
• Help organize annual educational programs and public events that help broaden public awareness of Forest Hill Park as a historic, recreational, and natural resource.
• Serve as Friends’ primary contact with neighborhood civic associations, city officials, contractors working on park special projects, public media, and other interested parties.
• Represent Friends of Forest Hill Park (or appoint alternate) to attend monthly meetings of Richmond Recreation and Parks Foundation (nonprofit fiduciary partner), and attend occasional meetings of Friends of City Parks.
• FFHP Newsletter (quarterly): Assign articles and reports, with help of writer/editor and graphic designer, to produce and distribute both paper and electronic editions to members and other interested parties.

Please send letter of interest and brief outline of qualifications /skills to:

Ms. Asha Kays, President, Friends of Forest Hill Park
608 West 29th Street, Richmond, VA 23225
Questions? Please phone 677-9475 or e-mail: ashakays@yahoo.com

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: January 29, 2007

Resourceful Links for Partner Groups

Each month we include links to a few websites that might prove helpful or informative to our partner groups.

You may have visited Google Maps before for driving directions.  But did you know that Google Maps is also an excellent way to explore our City's parks?  Google now has high resolution imagery for Richmond.  As an example, here's a satellite view of the Landmark Theater and Monroe Park:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=Landmark+Theater+Richmond+Virginia&ie=UTF8&z=17&ll=37.546194,-77.451682&spn=0.004942,0.006909&t=k&om=1

Google Earth is another fun map application to explore.  With a fairly new computer and high speed internet connection, you can fly through Richmond's landscape and all around the globe.

http://earth.google.com