A long set of stairs on the east side of Swan Lake was recently transformed into a long ramp.  The gradually cascading cement steps (maybe one step every three to five feet or so) posed a problem for anyone on wheels and walkers/runners who appreciate a more predictable pathway.

From concerned Byrd Parker, Peggy Lynch:

A bill increasing the authority of Game and Inland Fisheries to regulate the feeding of wildlife has recently passed the house and senate in Virginal and is awaiting the Governors signature. http://www.richmondsunlight.com/bill/2010/hb487 This bill underwrites the actions now underway in Byrd Park to address the geese in the park. Now before you jump up and say Yeah! No more goose “pooh” on the sidewalks, let’s take another look.

Read more >

A controversially titled blog, Gentrifying Richmond: Transitional Neighborhood Lowdown, posted an entry in December giving suggestions on when/if a neighbor should call the police on another neighbor. However, now that the sun is starting to warm things up, people are coming out of their homes and laying eyes on each other in the full light of day, like it or not. And nocturnal party behavior has begun to spill out into the public sphere of porches, yards, and streets sometimes into the wee hours, like it or not. If ever there was an occasion to talk about the etiquette surrounding neighborhood conflict resolution, this is as good a time as any.

Read more >

A new duplex is set to be built next to 2000 Lakeview Ave.  Members of the Byrd Park Civic League (BPCL) took an interest in the planning process and will be continuing their communication with the developer, Mr. Gordon Estrada, at an open meeting at the Roundhouse on the Monday, March 15th, at 6:30 p.m. If you would like to discuss the design of the new
duplex, BPCL encourages neighborhood residents to come and voice your design opinion if you wish.

From a BPCL member:

The developer does currently have approval from BPCL, and consequently the City of Richmond, to proceed with their plan to build the duplex.  however, they wish to keep us involved and work with us to make sure they remain in good standing with the community.  Any suggestions you bring to the table should be in a positive and progressive format.  The current design proposal is very similar to the homes found on the adjacent block (2100 block) of Lakeview Avenue.

From: Jennifer B
Email: angelfoodvirginia@gmail.com
Phone: 888-652-0119

I have some content that is relevant to your blog. There is a local nonprofit called Angel Food who gives boxes of food to any family for $30. With rising food costs this should help families cut their food bills in half! I am getting the word out around Richmond that the order deadline is March 15. If you can help by posting some content it would be huge! Thanks in advance.

This pipe is terrorizing cars/bikes on Rosewood Ave.

This protruding pipe wrecks havoc on passing cars and especially bicycles. It’s in the Eastbound lane of Rosewood Ave at the Addison St intersection.  In this picture, water pools in a depression in the road and the pipe rears its head like the Lochness Monster.  Below that water, there’s another inch or two of pipe inexplicably protruding from the ground.  I’m sure the City has the tools to sheer off so it would sit level to the ground, but I haven’t had any luck getting Public Works to address it.  This thing has come up in conversation with a number of neighbors.  Now, let’s see if we can get it resolved.

UPDATE: An orange traffic cone sat atop the pipe when I passed it this morning.  A good sign, and fast!

Potential regular feature: Do you have anything that you don’t know what to do with, but you suspect that the neighborhood could use it?  Here’s an example: We were given three blueberry bushes, but we’ve got no space for them in the yard and no idea what piece of nearby public land makes the most sense.  Maybe one of you could use them or know where these blueberry bushes could do the most good. If so, speak up with a comment.  In fact, feel free to use the comments section to talk about seasonal planting issues in general.

If you have anything you’d like to try to give away, you can add that as a comment here, or you can email your idea to info(at)byrdpark(dot)net and we’ll use it for an upcoming installment of this feature.

I snapped this pic with my phone on the way home from work. The workers report a lot of rotted out wood in the soffit on the facade of the West End Market at Idlewood and Shields. This upgrade is coming on the heels of recent removal of bars over the windows and installation of new windows. The soffit area on any building is a prime area for water damage. Many of our houses and garages also likely feature rotted wood beneath blistering paint.  Replacing the wood and repainting tends to make a big difference in the appearance of a home and weatherproofing.

If you haven’t been inside all of the houses on your block, here’s your chance.  A number of households in Byrd Park have been chronicling their home renovations on their personal blogs.  Here are the ones I know about: *

• Kenneth inherited his house from his parents, but he didn’t inherit their tastes.  Once the instructional technologist started demolition, he put his web design skills to work as well and started the House in the Park website.
• Dave and Totty gutted their house when they bought it several years ago and it’s been one long extreme make over ever since. Check out Boots and Totty.
• This one deserves a disclaimer, I’m married to the author of this blog. Karen started darling octopus decor about a year ago, and every since,  she’s been posting before and after pictures and stories. Some of this is about the house, but most of it features the furniture you leave in the alley. Karen rescues it while pushing the baby stroller and rehabilitates it with her own fashion sense.
• If you’ve done laps around Swan Lake, then you’ve admired Tamisha’s house overlooking the lake.  She admits that renovating is taking precedence over blogging, but there are some great pics up there already.

Please enjoy your neighbors’ handy work and story telling.  While you’re at it, drop a comment and say hi.  Maybe you’ll get invited over.

*If there are other home renovation blogs based in Byrd Park, please let me know.

Press release from Richmond Crop Mob:

RICHMOND, VA—Richmond Crop Mob will hold its first “mob” event Sunday, March 28, at the William Byrd Community House’s (WBCH) new urban Farmlet. The event will begin at 12pm and continue all afternoon, followed by a casual dinner hosted by WBCH and Crop Mob coordinators.

Richmond Crop Mob is an initiative of Richmond Ground Up, a network established by VCU graduate students to utilize social media in addressing community needs. Through media such as Facebook and Twitter, Richmond Crop Mob will alert all of its participants and followers to urban gardening volunteering opportunities, including dates, times and locations. Followers can choose to attend these “mob” events, spend time working outdoors, learn tips and tricks from other urban farmers, and help build a sustainable urban agriculture movement here in Richmond.

Read more >

From a concerned neighbor:

Please aware of drug dealer (s) walking 500 S Davis Ave @ night when u come and go…He or they walk the block back and forth ,back and forth from Rosewood to Maplewood  and deliver to cars that pull up.  Also some Drug activity on the 2400 Block of Rosewood Ave   Call the Police if u see any suspicious characters/activity.

Official Press Release:

Welcome Spring with Arbor Day Workshops and Exhibits Saturday, April 3, in Byrd Park

Get a head start on spring on Saturday, April 3, at Stay Co₂ol with Trees, a free Arbor Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carillon in Richmond’s Byrd Park.  During the festivities, Richmond will receive Tree City USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation for the 19^th straight year.

Rain or shine, you will find both fun and information about the many ways trees make our lives better. You also will learn about the work of related community organizations and businesses.

Children can climb a tree, bounce in an inflatable castle, enjoy art activities supervised by the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, and meet the Richmond Flying Squirrels mascot “Nutzy.” And they can expect a visit by a city firefighting unit between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Adults will also have several fun events in which to participate:

* Six workshops on planting, identifying trees, pruning mature trees, why native plants are needed, assessing the extent of decay inside a trunk, and tips for using a professional arborist’s tools.

* Talking with experts about tree selection, tree care, protection during construction, horticulture and gardening.

* Shopping for everything from plants and artwork to composting bins and rain barrels.

* Getting a free bare-root tree, (while supplies last!).

Read more >

Bike-riders from all over will descend on Byrd Park on Friday, April 2nd at 2:30pm before scattering all over the city in search of their pirate booty.  Please be extra careful of the colorful bicyclists as you drive through the neighborhood and around the park on Friday.  The scavenger hunt is a bicycle race hosted by Cutthroats bike club in support of their upcoming 7th installment of Slaughterama which is held on Belle Isle this weekend.  The event has been increasing in popularity in recent years, putting bike-punks (punx?) in the local media limelight.  Though Slaughterama is generally characterized by drunken rowdiness, the participants are typically conscientious and friendly.  Be not afraid.

This environmentally conscious business is based in Byrd Park and bicycle commutes to worksites all over the city. Here’s their press release:

BIKE RUN MAID BRIGADE MAKES EVERYDAY EARTH DAY IN RICHMOND!

Ultra Eco-friendly house cleaning service provides example of growing increase in Earth friendly consumer options and growing local economy.

Riding bikes to help reduce their contributions to air pollution, and making cleaning products with safe household ingredients such as vinegar, Borax, and baking soda, River City Cleaning, LLC takes care of local Richmonders and the Earth with style.  Covering the Richmond metro area, River City Cleaning, LLC will bike to their customers bringing all of their supplies in bike trailers, and provide a non-toxic house or office cleaning.   Having only started serving Richmond in July of 2008, River City Cleaning, LLC has grown in order to accommodate customers in The Fan, Museum District, Carrytown, Byrd Park, Northside, Lakeside, Forest Hill, Westover Hills, U of R, and Church Hill.  On Sunday April 25th they will be hosting a booth at the Richmond Earth Day Festival to share how they made their bike trailers and give away homemade cleaning tips and recipes.

Read more >