RVA H2O

04/20/2026

ICYMI:

Two dams that have held back the waters of Upham Brook in Bryan Park for more than a century are headed for demolition.

04/18/2026

Might we recommend that your weekend plans include filling out the Bryan Park Dam Removals and Stream Restoration Design Survey? ⤵️

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=0sQ_CK1yK0GufWuBuDkW3exc71d_S85MrIE2-uNb5YJUQko3ODZPVzVUU1c5UFFZSDc0NVA1WTdKVi4u&route=shorturl

Richmond VA Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

We are excited to continue to incorporate your feedback into the Bryan Park dam removals and stream restoration project.

Complete the survey linked here to help us create a healthier, more vibrant space for all: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=0sQ_CK1yK0GufWuBuDkW3exc71d_S85MrIE2-uNb5YJUQko3ODZPVzVUU1c5UFFZSDc0NVA1WTdKVi4u&route=shorturl

Your feedback will directly inform improvements and our planning efforts--we can't wait to hear what you think!

Richmond VA Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

04/16/2026

We would love to hear from you! Friendly reminder to take the Bryan Park Dam Removals and Stream Restoration 60% Design Survey ⤵️

We are excited to continue to incorporate your feedback into the Bryan Park dam removals and stream restoration project.

Complete the survey linked here to help us create a healthier, more vibrant space for all: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=0sQ_CK1yK0GufWuBuDkW3exc71d_S85MrIE2-uNb5YJUQko3ODZPVzVUU1c5UFFZSDc0NVA1WTdKVi4u&route=shorturl

Your feedback will directly inform improvements and our planning efforts--we can't wait to hear what you think!

Richmond VA Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

04/13/2026

We are excited to continue to incorporate your feedback into the Bryan Park dam removals and stream restoration project.

Complete the survey linked here to help us create a healthier, more vibrant space for all: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=0sQ_CK1yK0GufWuBuDkW3exc71d_S85MrIE2-uNb5YJUQko3ODZPVzVUU1c5UFFZSDc0NVA1WTdKVi4u&route=shorturl

Your feedback will directly inform improvements and our planning efforts--we can't wait to hear what you think!

Richmond VA Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

04/13/2026

Join us tomorrow at 6:00 pm to hear how the Bryan Park dam removals and stream restoration project’s design has progressed, and how it’s incorporated your feedback!

Please plan to join us at our next public meeting to hear about design progress for the Bryan Park dam removals and stream restoration at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, April 14th at the Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center Auditorium at 4901 Old Brook Road.

If you have a few extra minutes to spare before or after the meeting, we hope you will visit the recently completed Pine Camp Stream Rehabilitation Project on-site as an excellent example of how we have worked with Richmond VA Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to create a healthy, engaging stream corridor.

Learn more about the Bryan Park Dam Removals and Stream Restoration Project on its dedicated project webpage here: https://rvah2o.org/bryan-park/

04/02/2026

Please plan to join us at our next public meeting to hear about design progress for the Bryan Park dam removals and stream restoration at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, April 14th at the Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center Auditorium at 4901 Old Brook Road.

If you have a few extra minutes to spare before or after the meeting, we hope you will visit the recently completed Pine Camp Stream Rehabilitation Project on-site as an excellent example of how we have worked with Richmond VA Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to create a healthy, engaging stream corridor.

Learn more about the Bryan Park Dam Removals and Stream Restoration Project on its dedicated project webpage here: https://rvah2o.org/bryan-park/

02/14/2026

We love stormwater capital improvement projects, clean water, and Valentine’s Day puns.

01/16/2026

We are incredibly grateful for $7.5 million in support for our ongoing stormwater asset inventory and modeling work in Richmond's Southside, and for our efforts in collaboration with Richmond VA Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities at Bryan Park to remove the dams and restore Upham Brook.

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation -- thank you so much for your continued partnership!

Governor Glenn Youngkin has announced $99 million in grants and loans through the Virginia Community Flood Preparedness Fund, helping communities prepare for, respond to, and reduce flooding impacts.

Since 2021, the CFPF has awarded over $315 million for projects that protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure.

Learn more and see the full list of awarded projects: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam-safety-and-floodplains/dsfpm-cfpf-awards-round6

11/05/2025

Join us alongside project partners with Richmond VA Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and Southside ReLeaf to celebrate the re-opening and many new additions and improvements at Blackwell Park on Saturday morning at 10:00 am!

🎉 You’re invited! Join us as we celebrate the grand re-opening of the Charlie Sydnor Playground (aka Blackwell) — a brand-new space for play, joy, and community in Richmond! 🌳✨

📅 Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
🕓 Time: 10 a.m.
📍 Location: Charlie Sydnor Playground - 1400 Maury Street

Come cut the ribbon with us and be among the first to explore this exciting new playground and other amenities built for all ages to enjoy! 🎈

10/24/2025

Please join to help plant these trees (and more!) at Blackwell Park tomorrow (Saturday, October 27th) from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm alongside the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Richmond VA Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, and Southside ReLeaf!

Learn more and sign-up here: https://www.cfengage.org/opportunity/a0CNw0000AU41lbMQB/blackwell-park-tree-planting

We hope to have you join! 🌳

10/16/2025

The brand new amenities at Blackwell Park (like the gorgeous walking trail pictured here) could use your help with the last finishing touches on this glow-up project: please join us to plant trees to help keep the park cool, shaded, and full of healthy, native habitat! 🌳🌱

Plant alongside project partners with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Richmond VA Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, and Southside ReLeaf and get new trees in the ground next Friday, October 24th and/or Saturday October 25th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm! We would love to see you there!

Learn more and sign up here: https://www.cfengage.org/opportunity/a0CNw0000AWwqNmMQJ/blackwell-park-tree-planting

08/28/2025

Is it ever too early to plan for fall plantings? We don't think so. As we work to wrap up the Healthy Parks, Healthy Streams, Healthy People project at Blackwell Park alongside Richmond VA Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and Southside ReLeaf we've got lots of plants to get in the ground to finish our glow-up.

First up, join us to plant the bioretention basins which filter stormwater runoff from the site, including the beloved basketball courts at Blackwell Park, on Thursday, October 2nd from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm if you're available. Sign up to join us here:

Join the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Local Ecotype Richmond Natives (LERN), Richmond Parks & Recreation, Richmond Department of Public Utilities and Southside Releaf in planting two bioretention areas at Blackwell Park!Volunteers will plant pollinators and shrubs in two bioretention areas desig...