Posted October 29, 2025

 ~ Arbor Day Ceremonial Planting and Tree City USA Recognition with Mayor Avula November 8 ~

Richmond, VA – The Department of Public Works (DPW) invites residents to celebrate the beauty and importance of trees during Richmond Tree Week, November 1 – 8, with a call to action to plant, protect and appreciate trees. Richmond Tree Week is a collaborative effort with over 30 events hosted by many City departments and community organizations, coordinated by Reforest Richmond.

In conjunction to celebrating tree week, the department is announcing the launch of its first-ever Urban Forest Master Plan, a visionary roadmap to protect, expand, and enhance the city’s tree canopy. Developed in collaboration with community stakeholders and a multi-disciplinary consultant team, the Richmond Tree Plan will include strategies to help maximize benefits from the ecological, economic, and health advantages of a thriving urban forest. 

Key goals of the Richmond Tree Plan include:

• “Right Tree, Right Place” for the proper tree species selection for the site and maximizing urban heat mitigation
• Objective based tree maintenance and preservation through modern urban forestry policies
• Create a publicly accessible tree canopy assessment and track canopy change over time
• Expand outreach and education about tree stewardship and the benefits of trees

Public engagement is key to the development of the Richmond Tree Plan.  Join DPW’s Urban Forestry Division and partners at Weston & Sampson at one of the pop-up events below. Stop by, meet the team, enjoy refreshments, get creative with a tree-inspired craft, and discover how the Richmond Tree Plan is growing the city’s canopy.  

Events include:

1. Pop-Up: Wednesday, November 5 from 7 – 9 a.m.
   GRTC Downtown Bus Transfer Station

   808 E Clay Street, Richmond, VA 23219

2. Pop-Up: Wednesday, November 5 from 4 – 6 p.m.

   Broad Rock Community Center
   4615 Ferguson Lane, Richmond, VA 23234

    

3. Tree Storytime at Richmond Public Libraries

   November 1 – 8

   For schedule details, go to Kids Programming - Richmond Public Library

4. Cool the City Crafternoon at Abuelita’s

   Thursday, November 6 from 4 – 6 p.m.

   6400 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23225

   Join the Cool the City coalition for a fun afternoon of crafts, trees, and delicious food from Abuelita's. There will be a tree giveaway, tree-related crafts, information on Cool the City and the Richmond Tree Plan, and did we mention — delicious food from Abuelita's

    

5. Arbor Day Ceremonial Tree Planting with Mayor Avula & Tree City USA Celebration

   Saturday, November 8 at 9 a.m.

   Chimborazo Park (in the front semi-circle)

   3215 East Broad Street, Richmond VA 23223

    

   Mayor Avula will join community members, volunteers, partners, and employees for the annual ceremonial tree planting event in the park. This year marks Richmond’s 34th year being recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, highlighting the city’s long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability and stewardship.

    

   Approximately 50 volunteers are expected to take part in the tree planting portion of the event. There will be 95 new trees planted in the park over a two-day planting effort. Note: Pre-registration is required to participate in the volunteer planting portion of the event, please register at https://events.cbf.org/treeweek.

    

The culminating event is hosted by DPW’s Urban Forestry Division, Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Friends of Chimborazo Park. 

Learn more at rva.gov/public-works/urban-forestry or email AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station, the RVA Bike Share program. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

The Richmond Tree Plan is funded by a $6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the largest award in Virginia for urban forestry. This major federal investment underscores the city’s leadership in sustainability and equity-driven urban canopy management. Richmond’s Department of Public Works Urban Forestry Division is leading the plan, with support from the Office of Sustainability, the Department of Parks and Recreation, Groundwork RVA, Happily Natural, Southside ReLeaf, Virginia Interfaith Power, and Light, and other community partners.

The City of Richmond is proud to announce that they have officially joined the National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2025–2026 Cities of Opportunity Community Engagement Academy, a yearlong national initiative that helps municipalities advance equity, health, and wellbeing through authentic resident engagement. Lead by the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, Richmond’s team will work alongside peer cities and NLC technical partners to assess opportunities, share best practices, and co-design a roadmap for strengthening local engagement and improving quality of life across neighborhoods. The department oversees programs in children and family services, homeless services, immigrant and refugee engagement, aging and disability services, and neighborhood engagement.

Richmond’s participation in the Academy supports the city’s broader efforts under the Mayor’s Action Plan to advance equity, expand civic participation, and improve health and wellbeing for all residents.

“Richmond’s participation in the Cities of Opportunity Community Engagement Academy underscores our city’s commitment to putting people at the center of government,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “We’re building a thriving Richmond, where every resident has a voice in shaping our shared future, and this partnership with the National League of Cities will help us make that real.”

Richmond joins Aurora, IL, Fort Collins, CO, New Haven, IN, North Charleston, SC, and Takoma Park, MD, in being chosen by NLC for their demonstrated commitment to inclusive leadership and community-driven transformation. The Academy’s 12-month process includes facilitated workshops, team coaching, and an in-person convening in Washington, D.C., in February 2026. 

“We are proud to represent Richmond in this national cohort,” said Tiffany C. Ford, Director of the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. “This partnership provides an opportunity to strengthen how we listen to residents, align city systems with community priorities, and create sustainable change grounded in trust and collaboration.”

For more information about the program, visit https://www.nlc.org/initiative/cities-of-opportunity-community-engagement-academy/ 

For the City of Richmond's full schedule of holidays, please visit rva.gov/holiday-closings. 

The City of Richmond will close in observance of Election Day on Tuesday, November 4. All city offices, including City Hall, will be closed. We will return to our regular business hours on Wednesday, November 5. Closures impact some but not all City services:

• There will be no trash collection or bulk and brush collection on Tuesday, November 4. All collections will be delayed by one day. Collections scheduled for pick-up on Tuesday will be picked up on Wednesday and so on through Friday, November 7.
• The East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC) Landfill, located at 3800 East Richmond Road, will be closed on Tuesday, November 4. ERRCC will reopen on Wednesday, November 5
• Recycling services will operate as normal on Tuesday, November 4.
• All Richmond Public Libraries are closed on Tuesday, November 4 and will reopen on Wednesday, November 5. The Main Library is open as a polling location only.
• RVA311 will be closed on Tuesday, November 4. The public will have 24/7 access to self-service via RVA311.com and the mobile app.
• Richmond Public Schools are closed on Monday, November 3 and Tuesday, November 4. Schools and offices will reopen on Wednesday, November 5.
• All Parks and Rec offices and community centers are closed for recreational activities on Tuesday, November 4 (but some are open as polling locations!)
• The Department of Public Utilities Call Center is closed Tuesday, November 4. For utility emergencies, customers should call 804-646-4646 and press Option 1. For gas leaks, leave the area and call 911.
• Richmond Animal Care and Control will be closed on Tuesday, November 4. RACC will reopen with regular walk-in hours on Wednesday, November 5.

Make sure to vote on the 4th! Find your polling place, your ballot information, and any other election details you need by visiting the Virginia Department of Elections website. 

Posted October 24, 2025

Richmond, VA – The Department of Public Works (DPW) is relocating the popular DIY Recycling Drop-Off and Compost Site from Stratford Hills Shopping Center to a larger, City-owned property to better serve residents and improve secure accessibility.

Beginning Tuesday, October 28, residents can use the new recycling and compost drop-off location at 7400 Forest Hill Avenue.

The Stratford Hills site will permanently close on Monday, October 27.

The move will provide more space for drop-offs, improved traffic flow, and enhanced safety for residents utilizing the site. The new, expanded location demonstrates DPW’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, waste reduction, and quality service delivery. 

The new site at 7400 Forest Hill Avenue will continue to accept the same recyclable materials and compost items as the current Stratford Hills site. Clear signage will be posted at both locations to assist residents with the transition.

For more information on recycling, please visit rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission or email AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on X @DPW_RichmondVA or visit the Clean City Commission’s Instagram page @rvacleancitycommission

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting; graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages Main Street Station, the RVA Bike Share program. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

RICHMOND, Va. - City leaders, institutional partners, and community stakeholders gathered yesterday to commemorate a pivotal agreement between Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Richmond Flying Squirrels, marking a major step forward in the Diamond District Phase 1A development.

Hosted at Sports Backers stadium, with the future CarMax Park as the perfect backdrop, the event formally celebrated the shared operating agreement that will enable both VCU and the Flying Squirrels to call the new stadium home-cementing Richmond's commitment to sports, community engagement, and inclusive economic growth.

Remarks from City and Project Partners

Mayor Danny Avula gave many thanks and praised the collaborative spirit driving the project forward: "I want to thank VCU, the Navigators, and Angie Rodgers with the Department of Economic Development for bringing everyone to the table and keeping this thing moving forward. It's really a momentous day for us here in Richmond."

City Administrator Odie Donald II emphasized that the ceremony marked an important milestone, including a personal one. "Today's milestone reflects Richmond's long-term vision for equitable and sustainable development. Through collaboration across agencies, institutions, and private partners, we're creating opportunity that touches every neighborhood."

City Council Member Katherine Jordan (2nd District), who represents the area encompassing the Diamond District, acknowledged the collaboration and dedication behind the milestone: "Getting to this stage took so many people working together," said Councilmember Jordan. "I'll keep it brief-I don't want anything to delay these folks signing."

Economic Development Authority Executive Director, Angie Rodgers, highlighted the purpose of today's event: "This commemorative signing recognizes the shared commitment of the City of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), and Navigators Baseball, LLC to ensuring the long-term success of CarMax Park through a sustainable partnership that supports educational excellence, community engagement, and economic vitality within the city."

Vice President and Director of Athletics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Edward McLaughlin, added how this is a model of excellence for other cities who have an opportunity to build this sort of public-private partnership in sports:

"This is the model of how it should be, and Richmond is leading the way in doing it."

President and Managing General Partner, Navigators Baseball, LLC, Louis DiBella shared confidence in knowing this day would come:

"I always knew this day would come. It just made sense."

About the Diamond District

The Diamond District is a transformative mixed-use redevelopment project anchored by the new CarMax Park baseball stadium. Phase 1A includes residential, retail, and public space investments designed to strengthen connectivity between neighborhoods and drive inclusive growth along the Arthur Ashe Boulevard corridor.

For more information on the Diamond District project, visit www.richmondeda.com/diamonddistrict.