We spend a lot of time calling out what the City of Richmond gets wrong. And honestly, it’s not hard—just follow the trail of half-fixed potholes, stalled projects, or meetings where words go to die. But every now and then, there something worth pointing to and saying, see, that’s how it’s done.
Today, it’s our parks.
The city just landed at #16 in the Trust for Public Land’s 2025 ParkScore Index, which ranks the 100 largest U.S. cities based on access, equity, investment, amenities, and acreage. That’s a solid jump from #22 last year—and a massive leap from #58 in 2018.
With a score of 69.9 out of 100, Richmond now ranks in the top fifth nationally. We scored high in equity (84), access (74), and especially amenities (92)—earning near-perfect marks for basketball courts, playgrounds, rec centers, and splash pads.
And here’s the part worth paying attention to: Richmond bucks the national trend by offering more park space in lower-income and majority-Black neighborhoods than in whiter, wealthier ones. That’s rare. And it didn’t happen by chance—it took planning, commitment, and consistent community advocacy.
Credit where it’s due: the city has boosted per capita park spending from $135 to $186 per person, and partners like the Capital Region Land Conservancy have helped secure 44 acres of new parkland—including sites like Dock Street Park, Warwick Road, and Mayo’s Island.
But this isn’t the finish line.
A Few Things We Got Right
The ParkScore Index is based on five key areas: equity, access, investment, amenities, and acreage. Richmond has made strong gains in the first four.
- 92/100 in amenities
- 81% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park
- Equity scores outpace national averages across every measure
We’re seeing real, tangible improvement—not just in the rankings, but in how Richmonders use and protect their public spaces.
What’s Ahead: Mayo Island and Brown’s Island
One of the most exciting projects on the horizon is the transformation of Mayo Island, a once-privately owned slice of downtown riverfront, into a public park. The plan calls for opening it to the public by 2026—a rare chance to turn 14 acres of fenced-off city core into something shared, green, and alive.
At the same time, Brown’s Island is undergoing a major redesign. Spearheaded by Venture Richmond, the plan is moving into final development and includes:
- Terraced riverfront seating
- A shaded plaza dubbed “The Lookout” with restrooms, swings, and hammocks
- Interactive play zones at “The Point”
- A reimagined Manchester Breezeway, turning under-bridge space into a flexible public venue
- Native plantings, floating wetlands, pollinator gardens, and expanded green infrastructure
This isn’t just a facelift. It’s a full reimagining of how we use the riverfront—from event space to everyday refuge. You can see the plan HERE.
What It Means
Richmond is proving that equitable park access isn’t a buzzword—it’s possible. It can be done. And it can be done well.
But if we want to keep rising—or better yet, build a park system that defines the character of this city—we can’t stop here. We still need to:
- Acquire and preserve larger tracts of public land
- Focus on walkability and connectivity, especially in overlooked neighborhoods
- Invest in people and programming, not just paths and pavilions
Parks are more than green space. They’re where kids grow up, where strangers become neighbors, and where a city starts to feel like home. They reflect what we value and who we believe deserves access to peace, shade, and space.
We’re not #1 yet. But for once, Richmond is getting it right.
Let’s build on it.
Photo by Shelby Sullivan
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