Reply
or to participate
M V6 months ago
I walk to and through Chimbarazo park every day. I don’t have a problem with the petanque courts addition - sounds like the petanque team is bringing the community together for an activity and improving the parks. Hope we can get some more updates to all parks - more mulch to the playground!
Dave InfanteAuthor6 months ago
Yeah the mulch on the playground (or lack thereof) was a brief topic of discussion yesterday as well. A few parents of small children that play there expressed frustration that Parks has failed do do something so cheap and simple as remulching that area even as it does something as comparatively expensive and complex as build new pétanque courts. In Jenkins' statement, this receives indirect mention:
"Funding has already been allocated in the current fiscal year and Fiscal Year 2027 not only for the court expansion, but also for long-needed improvements to the playground and restroom facilities. Those improvements to the bathrooms and water fountains are planned to be made Fiscal Year 2027."
Still, it's not clear if mulching is specifically one of the actions budgeted for, or when it will happen. I'm working to get more information from the department.
lilacs doom6 months ago
I can see how the basketball court, playground, and garden could help bring the community together. These gravel pits in the middle of the park appear to be used only a couple of times a week by a relatively small group.
While I’m glad people have a space to play and socialize, it does raise concerns about the trade-off, particularly the permanent loss of green space for limited use. It feels worth taking a closer look at whether this balance best serves the broader community.
Dave InfanteAuthor6 months ago
Yeah, that's what the Community for Chimborazo Playground is requesting: a pause in construction to allow for more community input.
M V6 months ago
Well, I do not garden, I do not utilize the basketball court, and I do not use the playground. Just because I do not use those, does that mean that we should not have them because that's not my direct community? I love when I see people play basketball but the courts are not used all day. I do not even play petanque. I enjoy that I can walk through the park and see the group playing a game. And to call this group relatively small is a grotesque misstatement.
Do I want the city to get my opinion if there is a new garden bed put in? Or a new slide? I play pickleball and I go to an area that has a pickleball court. If I want to ply petanque, i will go here. I spent enough time in that park to know that the "green space" was hard, rocky, and directly in the sun. We are so lucky and privileged to live in a neighborhood with many parks and green space. Fairness feels like oppression to those who have lived privileged lives. I'm excited to see the finished courts on my daily walks.
lilacs doom6 months ago
So the argument is that the space taken wasn’t really “green space” because it was hard, rocky, and in the sun — and that people who want open space should simply go somewhere else? That’s exactly why many residents are concerned. Public parks are shared spaces, and decisions about changing them should consider the broader community, not just one organized group.
M V6 months ago
That's not my only point above (not argument, I am genuinely curious and hoping to understand your perspective more) but if we want to focus on that aspect, we can. I'm not saying it isn't exactly "green space" but it wasn't exactly comfortable to walk on/stand on or even play on either. I recognize that public parks are shared spaces so that is why I'm confused why there is concern over every single area of the park. I would understand if a playground was being torn down, or even the trees. But just expanding an already existing section of the park seems to be not a big deal, in my opinion. There is still green space, yes less of it, but it's still there. I hope in the future the city can provide advanced notice for these updates but there I do not see any reason at all to halt the construction. Sounds like the group went through all of the proper channels for approval. I hope we get other improvements to the park too
Brett Eastman 6 months ago
It’s not the vote of the majority, it’s the will of who’s in charge. Over 10 years ago we packed out that chimbo building multiple times with 3 generations of bmxers and skaters wanting a pocket skatepark. Very few if any bull frogs ever showed up. We were diligent and effective with plans and proposals. Worked with the budget given. I remember one meeting the only bullfrog that showed pitched a fit. In response a woman with a child in a stroller pointed in the stroller and said, “this park is not for us but for our kids.” Months later parks and rec destroyed the park with pits that ate up wandering toddlers and created such a mosquito problem in spring that nobody even wanted to hang out there anymore.
Dave InfanteAuthor6 months ago
I have heard a little bit about past calls for a skate/BMX park there, but would love to hear more. Was the idea that those facilities might be in Chimborazo Playground instead of down in Gillies Creek? I.e., was the Gillies Creek one built at that point? Do you remember approximately when this was all going down? What were the major objections voiced at the time?
Brett Eastman 6 months ago
Not sure of the exact year, but this was way before the city had any hand in Gillies. There was the track run by Richmond BMX and the trails that were run by a private group of riders. The city threatened demolition of the bmx trails if insurance wasn’t provided. After reluctant negotiations w/ the IMBA they provided insurance under the condition that more resources were provided. (Beginner pump track) To my knowledge there was little objection to a skatepark other than noise. I think all the supporters were really surprised how much the idea was squashed by so few that weren’t being vocal. I can’t recall the name of the parks & rec gentleman we worked with, but even he was surprised with the outcome. Shortly after most directed their efforts towards the grand goal of the park in Southside.
lilacs doom6 months ago
Thank you for the fair coverage of this perplexing situation. When more than 200 residents are surprised by a major change to a neighborhood park, it’s a clear sign that something in the process isn’t working.
Public parks aren’t a blank canvas for any one group, and decisions that significantly change shared green space should involve transparent communication and community awareness. When people feel blindsided by a project of this scale, it inevitably erodes trust in the process.
Residents aren’t trying to block park improvements — they’re simply asking for clarity about how this project moved forward and whether the proper steps were followed. At this point, it would be helpful to hear directly from the Department of Parks and Recreation about how the project was approved and how community input was considered.
Dave InfanteAuthor6 months ago
In an email exchange with Jenkins on Sunday night, I requested an interview with Parks director Christopher Frelke this week. We'll see what happens.
Suz G6 months ago
Am I the only one really hoping the lack of green space will result in less off leash dogs at the park? I'm so tired of off leash dogs running up to kids on the playground, it's not safe and it keeps a lot of people from feeling comfortable using the playground.
Dave InfanteAuthor6 months ago
Ha! I have heard a few folks make this point, actually. I filed a column about the off-leash situation last year: https://www.chlookout.com/p/how-to-curb-off-leash-dogs-in-church-hill
Perhaps that will be a silver lining of all this. Or maybe not.
Sam Abdelmuti6 months ago
Thank you for such a great article for real! This really paints a good picture of what is happening and I appreciate you!
Dave InfanteAuthor6 months ago
Hey thanks for reading, glad you find the coverage helpful.
Susan H6 months ago
Watching all this from the less affluent side of the neighborhood is disheartening. Please move on. Surely there are bigger fish to fry.
Dave as a former grassroots local journalist I will tell you from experience to free yourself from the weeds of this and get into something more interesting and useful. It’s a playground with a thing in it next to two of the biggest green spaces in the city. We’ll all live. More about blight! More about traffic calming! I’d love to hear about what’s up with real estate and new builds and the latest on zoning. You’re so good at that. Why Spotty Dog isn’t open until 10 in the hot months! The burning question. I love you and cherish you and am glad you exist, but step back.
Dave InfanteAuthor6 months ago
Thanks for the note, Susan. With the exception of Spotty Dog's business hours (which I don't foresee reporting on any time soon), The Lookout has covered all the topics you've mentioned, and will continue to. If you have tips about any/all of those matters, please get in touch, here's how: https://www.chlookout.com/submit-a-tip
Sorry you feel disheartened by l'affair pétanque. If it makes you feel any better, it seems like a lot of folks seem to be, for various reasons!
