Community Garden/Pollinator Habitat Expansion updates:
-- Chimborazo Playground Community Garden is proud to have received grant funding, and city and neighborhood approval for a pollinator habitat extension along its west fence and the north fence of the tennis court. With generous support from Richmond Grows Gardens, Xerces Society, and Bee City RVA, site prep began July 17th. The community garden will steward the pollinator expansion with ongoing help from the community. If you have questions or you'd like to volunteer with this exciting project please email chimbosteward@gmail.com.
-- The Community Garden is also partnering with the Parks and Beautification committee and Friends of Chimborazo Playground as they work to remove the pollinator plantings at the N 29th St side of the playground. The de-installation helps make way for new trees and picnic benches at that end of the park. The decision to reimagine this area also reflects ongoing challenges of stewardship for the plantings. Well established plants will remain around the playground sign, and some natives will move to the new habitat being cultivated at the other end of the playground. Some plants will be dug and made available to gardeners in the neighborhood. A volunteer workday will be planned for Fall to mulch and reset the area.
CURRENT PROJECTS IN OUR PARKS
Libby Hill Park Tree Planting--With the help of The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Dept of Parks and Recreation we are working on a plan to plant 103 trees in Libby Hill Park. Ann Jurcyzk with the CBF has applied for and received a grant of $25,000 from the Community Foundation to cover the cost of the trees and planting. Pending final approval, the planting is planned for November 6 and 7, 2026. We will post the link to volunteer closer to that date.
Chimborazo Playground Tree Planting—. the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Dept of Parks and Recreation are also helping the CHA and Friends of Chimborazo Playground plant 24 trees on October 31, 2026, in Chimborazo playground. A corporate sponsor, Hewlett Packard, is covering the cost of these trees and related materials.