Keep Monroe Open & Public

Our coalition of churches and other organizations DO NOT oppose renovations to Monroe Park. We like pretty parks! But we cannot sit idly by while those most in need have their only open public space closed. We have created this petition to demand that the renovation be done in stages, rather than all at once, leaving between 25% and 50% of the park open for the people who need it most, and the organizations who are able to provide that need. We also firmly oppose any private security force in this public space, especially one specifically charged with keeping out the “apparently homeless”.

via change.org.

Food Not Bombs Releases Statement on Monroe Park

The proposed renovations to Monroe Park are an attack , a judgement on who the park should and shouldn’t be for. It is an attack on the homeless, the “homeless-appearing” (whatever that means – it’s in the Monroe Park Advisory Council’s renovation plans), and groups and individuals who don’t judge people by their social status or whether they have conventional means of acquiring shelter.

via oregonhill.net.

Monroe Park – Charles Samuels’ Statement

20100900 Samuels – Monroe Park

Proposed ropes course would offer above-ground adventure at Byrd Park

The deal for Richmond would be similar [to Rockville, Md.], giving the city a cut of the gross profits, as well as tax revenue, for use of 6 to 10 acres of wooded parkland near the dog park behind the Carillon. The project has a proposed budget of $470,000, which would include construction of a small cabin for an office, subject to the city’s design review.

via timesdispatch.com Michael Martz.

richmondbizsense.com

Monroe Park Bathrooms

We believe he is providing false information, so we set out to correct the record and gather proof about the actual situation down in the park.

via wordpress.com.

The Fan in Richmond Virginia

As predicted, Northside’s Wingnut Anarchist Collective, a group heavily involved in the weekly Food Not Bombs feeding, has published a critique of what they are calling attempts to genrify Monroe Park.

via fanofthefan.com.

Resist attempts at pushing homeless out of Monroe Park!

Claims from Charles Samuels that the food being served for free is not safe are faulty and appear to be aimed at creating excuses to push out programs that serve the homeless and others, thus making the homeless and poor feel less comfortable in the park.

via wordpress.com.

Forest Hill Park bridge honors Harvey family

A sturdy and elegant new bridge across Reedy Creek will be dedicated next Sunday in memory of Bryan, Kathryn, Stella and Ruby Harvey, who were murdered in their Woodland Heights home on Jan. 1, 2006.

via timesdispatch.com.

February 23, 2010.  In naming the bridge, the council overrode a city-code provision that says city facilities shall not be named for multiple people, and it sidestepped complaints that the city was placing a higher value on the Harveys than others who have been victims of homicide.

via timesdispatch.com.

Monroe Park to Get $6 Million Makeover

It’s been six years since the Monroe Park Advisory Council, a 12-person group, was established with the blessing of then-2nd District City Councilman William Pantele. Councilman Charles R. Samuels continued his support for the project, and the group says it’s ready to move forward with a plan that will make the 7-acre Fan District park enticing to a broad audience for a variety of activities.

via styleweekly.com.

$6.2 million makeover planned for Monroe Park

Richmond’s oldest park, is targeted for a $6.2 million makeover, with more canopy trees, reconstructed paths, monumental-style lighting and a café.

Since early last year, the city-appointed Monroe Park Advisory Council has been working with the 3north architectural firm to convert the park’s 2008 master plan for construction.

via timesdispatch.com.