By Kathy Chouteau
To Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI), the transformation of the Community Green Space park in downtown Richmond is a testament to the power of collaboration and the pursuit of tranquility.
Many organizations have been involved in improving the park over the years, with the most recent contributor being Kids for the Bay.
Through a series of photos shared on Facebook Sept. 8, RMSI showed off art and other recent contributions to the park—which they oversee—by Kids for the Bay. The organization, which is based in Berkeley, connects kids to nature while also turning them onto science and environmental action.
According to RMSI’s Executive Director Andrea Portillo-Knowles, Kids for the Bay organized a cohort of 4th & 5th graders from Richmond’s Lincoln Elementary to create art on tiles and asked how they could contribute to the revitalization of the park. “We thought this would be a great way to decorate the pillars of [a] gazebo,” she said, noting that the project at the park is ongoing.
The tiny but mighty park, located on the corner of Macdonald Avenue and Harbour Way in Richmond, frequently plays home to multiple community events and a variety of activities, from chess play to health fairs and more. But essentially, it offers a peaceful, art-laden space in the center of downtown that’s perfect for enjoying lunch or just catching your breath.
In the same Facebook update, RMSI not only gave props to the Reentry Success Center and NIAD Art Center, but also to Rubicon Landscape Group and RichmondWORKS Employment & Training Services for rallying around a shared vision of breathing new life into the beloved downtown sanctuary of serenity.
RMSI also took time on Facebook to give thanks to the City of Richmond and a Clean CA Grant for helping the organization bring its collective vision to fruition. Separately, Portillo-Knowles also credited PBID, a Love Your Block mini-grant and others with helping to fund the park’s revitalization efforts.
“And now, we’re thrilled to welcome a new addition to our community: Kids for the Bay,” stated RMSI on Facebook.
Learn more about Richmond Main Street here.
