HOW ONE PARK HAS ENRICHED THE
BONES AND RAISED THE SPIRIT OF A
RICHMOND COMMUNITY
By Jeannie Howard
From a walk-bike path to installing mass-produced play
structures, throughout countless years many organizations
and the city have attempted to improve Richmond’s most
infamous neighborhood. Unfortunately,
improvements either fell into disrepair or
were vandalized; nothing seemed to take
hold. That is, until Pogo Park adopted two
forgotten small play-lots in Richmond’s Iron
Triangle neighborhood, a community once
ranked the 7th most violent neighborhood
in America, according to Toody Maher,
founder and executive director of Pogo
Park. With the revitalization of the once
notorious plots into what have become
known as Elm Playlot and Harbor 8, the
non-profit has created more than enriching
playgrounds for children and families, but
thriving centers for the whole community.
“Our parks are like a green oasis in the middle of chaos;