A Brief History of the Monroe Park Advisory Council

A Brief History of the Monroe Park Advisory Council

(To be clear, there was also a Monroe Park Advisory Council in the nineties which was started to address a request to remove many of the trees in Monroe Park according to member Napi Ippolito. The master plan they adopted was never really considered viable by the city at the time and consequently never “got legs” as the current one has).

The year is 2002. I was serving as president of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) in its second year of existence. We had worked with the City in rezoning Oregon Hill to R7 that year which prevented proposed apartment complexes from being built on the Hill. The neighborhood was much more in favor of single family home ownership. Oregon Hill had just lost a contentious battle with the City the previous year over rezoning the property owned by Dominion Va Power on the river bank below Oregon Hill to build a high rise tower (which has not been built at this time). Oregon Hill had also won a battle with the City over an effort by the City to sell one of our Parks (now called Pleasants Park) to a “well known” developer as surplus. During this period, corruption was present at City Hall with two City Council members later serving prison terms. It was a different form of government in the city then, without a strong mayor but with a strong City Manager, a man named Calvin Jamison.
I’ll never forget the day two City Park employees (who are still great friends) came into my music store and asked if the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association would support a new proposed policy (initiated by City Manager Jamison) which would essentially turn Monroe Park into a parking facility for dozens of buses, cars and city trucks. My jaw dropped. I had enjoyed times in this Park since I was a 14 year old kid growing up in the west end and riding the bus downtown to events like Kool Aid Sundays and other concerts/gatherings in the Park. Springsteen played there as did Jerry Lee Lewis, Its a Beautiful Day, Cold Blood, Mercy Flight, Bill Blue Band and many many others. The parking proposal made me sick to my stomach but I said I would bring it up to OHNA. The Neighborhood Association unanimously opposed it. I made plans to host a Town Hall Meeting/Presentation at St Andrew’s Church auditorium on Idlewood with the help of my neighbors. Both Maura Meinhardt and Charles Pool worked hard to help get the meeting organized and publicized.
The meeting was a success. Among those in attendance were Councilman Bill Pantele (whose district included Monroe Park), as well as future MPAC members John Peters, Turk Sties (also head of the Near West Team), Mike Rohde (husband of future MPAC member Pat Daniels) and many others. Councilman Pantele, who I cant say enough good things about, took the ball under his arm, rejected the Parking Lot scenario and in the upcoming year formed the Monroe Park Advisory Council from representatives of the surrounding communities to include Oregon Hill, Carver and the Fan District and VCU. Members were approved by City Council and meetings began sometime in late 2003 or 2004.
In 2005, both Pat Daniels and I received awards from the City. Mine was for Community Mobilization, an award I am very proud of. Pat has accomplished much as a volunteer and really deserved her award.
It took until 2008 to come up with a final master plan after a well publicized and well attended Charette. I would be lying if I said there weren’t contentious debates during the MPAC meetings but agreements were reached. The even hand which really brought the best out of the group was Park employee and group facilitator Larry Miller. Rachel Flynn of the City’s Planning Department was also a great Champion of the park as were Tyler Potterfield and the many staff members at 3 North. Consultants were hired to write down the master plan which was adopted by MPAC, the planning commission and urban design committee. Many hours of work was put in by these citizens and city employees to give Monroe Park a much needed renovation.
I am very proud of this team effort- truly a grassroots, citizen based effort to make Richmond’s Oldest Municipal Park, a Park filled with so much history, into a clean and wonderful facility, renovated with sensitivity to its Historic background. The public was always welcome at MPAC meetings as well as the Charette. Monroe Park, once renovated (new lights, redone pathways, and much much more) will be a welcoming facility for ALL Richmond residents and a shining jewel for ALL Richmonders to keep and enjoy.
Many thanks are due to all members of the Monroe Park Advisory Council and 2nd District council person Charles Samuels who are working so hard to see this great plan enacted- something which should have been done many years ago. And to Bill Pantele whose dream will soon pay dividends to the Citizens of Richmond.

Charles Todd Woodson
November 14, 2010.

40 thoughts on “A Brief History of the Monroe Park Advisory Council

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  2. That is very cool and interesting.

    The troubling parts of the current Monroe Park renovation plans: the intent to completely close the park for 18 months, and the plan to use private security to keep homeless “looking” users limited to only 1 in 75 to 100 other park users. Who was responsible for this part of the plan? And why can’t anyone take responsibility for it and change the plans? The public has been very clear in their opposition to closing the park entirely. No one at the forum seemed to think it made any sense at all. Please do explain why limiting the homeless is a part of your plans.

  3. that formula was entered by the consulting firm and at no place does it says it will be enforced by a private security firm. If you and others that protest the renovation want to take your protest to another level, BOYCOTT THE PARK. We’ll try to get along without you.

  4. Todd Woodson, that was a very unkind thing to say. It is a public park. At the forums, it was clear that the public wants the park open and not closed. You don’t have to be mean about it.

  5. Michael- the amount of misinformation that’s been touted by those that havent done their homework (just about EVERY post by those opposed to the renovation and plan- including your post above) is just maddening. Why not fight for a better alternative than 16 years of feeding outdoors in an unsheltered park? Why not demonstrate for an indoor center with facilities you think would benefit the Homeless at the location of your choice? Have you seen the Conrad Center? Have you spoken to Churches about using their facilities on weekends? I have spent a lot of time in that Park and I know at times it can be blazing hot and at other times freezing and wet/icy. Consider for a second how a renovated Park can benefit everyone. Read and get your facts straight. People are trying to do something good for our city here.

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  7. I’m a user of the park. I work at VCU and I love going to the park during lunch. Sometimes when I’m riding my bike around the city I like to ride through the park. Sometimes I walk it. When I was a freshman in the dorms at VCU 16 years ago I’d take photos in the park with my friends. I’ve met friends there to walk in the grass, eat lunch, hang out, and share ideas.

    I have been reading about the issues regarding the proposed renovations and closing of the park. I thought since you made a post that it would be a good time to ask a question to someone that has something to do with the plan. I am not spreading misinformation, I’m simply a concerned citizen asking questions. I think that’s a reasonable thing to do and I don’t think being attacked for it helps your case. I said nothing offensive, I merely asked who added it to the plan and why aren’t they speaking up about it. Do you approve of the plan to limit the use of a public park by “homeless appearing”? If so, why? If not, why is it in the plans? No one is addressing this question and I think it is an important one.

    There are reason feeding plans are administered in Monroe Park by many area churches and other groups like Food Not Bombs. I’m not associated with any of them, but I have kept my ears and eyes open and have soaked in information. No one opposed to keeping part of the park open will explain their reasons for closing the whole park except that it might cost a little more.

    Renovations are done to important city infrastructure in segments ALL THE TIME. We don’t close the entire Fan District to address water pipes and repaving and whatever else has been worked on in the city. The park is an important resource to a lot of people, it would be very sad for it to be completely closed off for 18+ months.

    As I understand it, the park has been used for feeding programs because of its openness and central location. It is a gathering place, a public space where people who aren’t as fortunate as you and I can go to gather their wits without having to deal with being constantly observed and shuffled about by owners of a building. It is a free space in a central location with public facilities, with lighting and nature and a variety of patrons. Its a special place that should not be shut down in the opinion of quite a many number of people who are tax-payers and concerned citizens.

    Why not fight for this or that? I’m not in the business of deciding what is better for other people. This is a public place that others CHOOSE to utilize. We don’t have to bus people in and out, no one has to maintain a building, no one has to be shut away from the public eye, this is a public space and in my heart I believe it should remain that way. Want to renovate? Great, do renovations in the park, but find a way to do it without closing it down and locking people out. This is a classic park. With the park closed entirely for 18+ months or however long it will really end up taking, that’s at least one maybe two whole crop of VCU freshman locked out of the park directly in front of their buildings, and that’s quite a long time to cut the rest of the public out as well. I’d really miss it for that long of a time. Let’s do this thing in stages. As I understand it, the funding isn’t even in place, why not handle one part at a time and allow the park to continue to be used?

    I think this is a beautiful and important space to our city. I don’t understand why you had the reaction you had to my questions. If you’re truly a citizen who cares about this park, why wouldn’t you discuss it pleasantly and show that you cared about the park. I’m not associated with any protest, I just care for my own personal reasons and I’m concerned for others who may not have as much of a voice. I don’t think that your desires to make a change should come before the desires of others, including long-term homeless, short-term homeless, students and employees of VCU, immediate area residents, city residents, and visitors to Richmond as a whole. All I ask is you find a way to compromise with those people. Is that really so unreasonable?

  8. correction- there are facilities (a building) that does need to be maintained in Monroe Park, but not a large one that needs to be able to handle lots of people, I think you get the drift of that argument… just thought I’d correct myself.

  9. The observation that a homeless ratio of 75/100-1 would make women more comfortable in the park was added by the consultants. I think its probably correct.
    Your statement that private security would enforce this ration is a bald face lie.
    Regarding the FNB argument that homeless cannot make the trek down to the Conrad Center due to hardship is also questionable. One could say since the Conrad Center already serves to 1500 people 5 days a week, it is a hardship to make them travel to Monroe Park on Weekends.

  10. I did not make a bald-faced lie, I asked a question. Making accusations like that is what is making you LOOK like a jerk. Hopefully you aren’t really a jerk, but attacking someone for asking a question about something they read makes you look real petty. All you had to do is say that isn’t in the plans as you understand it. That is the way to have a discussion.

    No one is making anyone travel anywhere, and Food Not Bombs is not the only organization feeding people in Monroe Park. There’s no hardship to anyone by providing food to the homeless. Neither the churches nor Food Not Bombs are asking for special treatment or monies, they’re just asking for a public place to be open for public use. Simple.

    And some of the homeless and homeless looking ARE women. Will they feel safer being marginalized and kept out of the park? You are touting a lot of assumptions and privilege. There does not appear to be any special crime in or near Monroe Park due to homeless. According to police reports, the arrests being made in that area are mainly driving related arrests, DUIs and the sort.

    Please consider the idea that everyone deserves love and consideration, even if they disagree with you. People deserve to be in public spaces. There are some pretty famous people who talk about not passing judgment and providing for those who are without. Making improvements to the park sounds nice, but why must it come at the expense of the people who use and love the park?

  11. I really appreciate Michael’s comments. He is making an intelligent argument around the idea that it is not necessary or positive to close down the entire Park. One’s stance on feeding programs or the homeless etc. aside, the park CAN be renovated in stages. Citizens are asking for an explanation for why, and just getting the run around.
    I’m not against renovations, I am against the entire park being closed.
    And for the record, members of Food Not Bombs did attend MPAC meetings for a number of years, I believe when it was first started.
    But as Michael points out so well, this issue is not about Food Not Bombs. Food Not Bombs has definitely taken a very vocal and strong stance on the issue, but there are many many other people and groups involved. It seems like a lot more people than Food Not Bombs want to see the park OPEN.

    http://www.monroepark.org
    http://www.monroecampaign.wordpress.com

  12. Im sorry Mo, FNB did not attend MPAC meetings for a couple of years. Maybe a couple of meetings before the master plan was finished and of course the meeting one month ago.

  13. Todd Woodson, in the 9th comment posted here you write, “One could say since the Conrad Center already serves to 1500 people 5 days a week,it is a hardship to make them travel to Monroe Park on Weekends.” This is inaccurate. Their website claims they can accomodate up to 300 people at a time, but given the size of their cafeteria (the size of a large kitchen)I doubt it. They serve meals M-F, which they purchase.

  14. On their website, it says they will PREPARE AND SERVE over 48,000 meals in 2010 alone. Are you disputing their claim and do you have proof of your accusation, Darek? You are entitled to your own opinions but not to your own facts.

  15. Todd, Im debunking your claim that the CC serves to 1500 people 5 days a week. lookit… 1,500meals x twice a day (they serve breakfast and dinner)=3,000 meals a day x 5 days a week = 15,000 meals a week x 52 weeks in a year = 780,000 meals a year. The Conrad Center website claims they will prep and serve 48,000 meals a year. Another reason Charles Samuel’s recommendation that feedings be moved to the CC is wrongheaded and cruel: I spoke with Theo Woodson (director of the CC personally), last Nov. about the possibility of the CC accepting any food from f.n.b.(esp. loaves of bread). He flatly refused, saying he couldnt accept grocery store leftovers. Less food distributed = More hungry people.

  16. Where are the homeless supposed to sleep after their evening meal if Monroe Park feedings are relocated to the Conrad Center as Charles Samuels recommends? The jail across the street? The abadoned streets? The CC has an affiliate shelter but it accomodates only 32 men and 8 women at a time, charges its homeless occupants $40/week, imposes a curfew, restricts access of visitors, and requires the homeless to attend AA or NA meetings 3x a week. Not to mention its located 1.3 miles from the CC, across a river!

  17. Darek…park rules state that the park closes at sunset: http://www.richmondgov.com/parks/parkMonroe.aspx You and the F Bombs should go through city council and get this rule changed! Until then, this rule needs to be enforced!!!

    Also, I don’t remember the homeless camping out during the major snow storms…they probably walked to a shelter! 1.3 miles is not that far…most of them can walk (I see them walk to Fine Foods and buy beer/cheap wine all the time)…for those who can not, you should buy them a GRTC bus pass: I would bet good money that they pawn it for cash!

  18. Where should we sleep Todd? Does the city or state ever have plans of helping fund the Conrad Center? I know you arent related to Theo Woodson (exec. director of the CC) but as a member of the Monroe Park Advisory Council, have you or anyone on the council ever spoke with him to get an estimate on how many millions of dollars it would take to build the CC into a place capable of feeding Richmond’s displaced homeless? Now that you know they can provide only a 1/5 as many meals as you thought (or less than that), do you still think feedings and clothes giveaways should be relocated there? Also in your essay “A Brief history of the Monroe Park Advisory Council” you write, “Monroe Park, once renovated (new lights, redone pathways, and much much more) will be a welcoming facility for ALL richmond residents and a shining jewel for ALL Richmonders to keep and enjoy.” I read the Master Plan Todd. What amenities offered by the renovations would be useful to homeless people there? Will the security guards being hired permit us to bathe in the new fountain? What are these strange European games (pentanque and quoits)that fields are being made for and experts hired to instruct us how to play? Do you know any quoits players? Why cant the city use that area of the park to build a huge shelter with a door that would stay open at all hours? If the building doesnt have windows the homeless will be out of sight.

  19. Todd, tell me when and where and we’ll all go talk to City Council about allowing people in the park after sunset. Surely as a member of the Monroe Park Advisory Council, your speech there would matter. Seriously, a quoits field? Lets use that space for something useful. As for the shelter that is 1.3 miles from the CC, it has a max capacity of 40 people (32 men and 8 women), charges its occupants $40/week, has restrictions, and is already full!!! Forty people. Forty. Also, like the CC it gets no public funding!

  20. Sorry, Darek, there are 2 Todds commenting on this string. I would rather see Caritas expanded than allow people to camp outside in the Park. With all the space in neighborhood churches available, it would be much better for folks to sleep inside in a climate controlled area. If you decide to pursue evening use of the park, I guess the way to go is either to contact your councilperson or sign up to speak before city council on their citizen comment period. To do that, you must sign up with the city clerks office. Good luck! There is a Quoits club in Richmond and my neighbor actually built a court in the alley a couple years ago. I’ve been told that petanque is played now in Abner Clay Park.

  21. Its way past time the City of Richmond takes responsibility for providing basic shelter and food for the denizens of Monroe Park. Since the city is not prepared to shelter them elsewhere, you have a moral responsibility as a member of MPAC, to see that a shelter is built there in the park. We are all prepared to care for them there.

  22. As for your suggestion that I buy them (homeless people) a bus ticket to a shelter…. you said theyd pawn it for the money, that wouldnt be necessary if you didnt exile them. I think you owe us all a lot more than bus tickets in compensation for your Plan.

  23. again, you have us Todd’s mixed up, Darek. MPAC’s job was to develop a plan to physically renovate the park. We have done that- now the ball is in the city’s court. With all due respect, considering the historic importance of Monroe Park and the lack of urban greenspace, I dont think Monroe Park is an appropriate site for a shelter.

  24. So build a shelter on the Quoits field that is climate controlled. Ive never met anyone who has been on the Caritas bus and Ive met a lot of people homeless in Richmond. The thing is, you arent a member of CARITAS (i dont think). The City, to my knowledge is not about to beef up funding for CARITAS. If that was the case, why would Samuels recommend feedings relocate to the CC rather than Caritas involved churches? Ive never seen the CARITAS bus picking people up. And how can you make your life any better if you are sleeping at a different church every night? How do you know where to shop at? wash at? Where your friends are? Where your enemies are? Churches involved with Caritas arent shelters, theyre Churches. It would be nice if the City would put millions into the program, but they arent about to. Am I wrong? It would be nearly impossible to coordinate all the feedings and clothes giveaways at ever changing Church locations anyways. But you are Todd Woodson, a member of MPAC and you have a moral responsibility to see that the homeless in Monroe Park are cared for. The money for the renovations there has already been set aside and the people that are already there deserve to be accomodated.

  25. Moving forward and to avoid confusion, Todd R. will now go by “TOT”: The Other Todd.

    Darek…I was going to come up with a plan, but the United Way has beaten me to it: http://www.yourunitedway.org/media/2009_Homelessness_Program_Descriptions.pdf

    The United Way works with many organizations (churches, businesses, etc.) throughout the Richmond region to help with the homeless. I donate money to them every year!

    Many of the homeless are probably not aware of the resources….you and the F Bombs should start promoting them!

  26. Try going during the day, perhaps during lunch. I use it frequently as do tons of folks who I imagine might be VCU students or employees of local establishments. I’m not on campus Sunday mornings, so I don’t go then. Do I have to go Sunday mornings to prove I use the park or that others do? No.

  27. Todd W. Using the 48,000 numbers for the Conrad Center (which I have no reason to doubt are accurate) means that they are serving (48,000/52) 923 meals a week, which is a mere 577 meals less than you initially claimed. Kind of funny how you were taking other people to task for “not doing their homework” given this basic math fail on your part. Additionally, if you consider that there are @ 800 people without homes in the city, two meals a day, 7 days a week would work out to 11,200 meals a week, meaning that the Conrad Center currently only serves roughly 8% of the city’s need in this area. This is not an insignificant number, 48,000 meals a year is huge deal and it’s great that the Conrad center is out there, and that some people like it and use it, but to hold up an organization that’s currently serving 8% of the total need as the be all and end all to Richmond’s homelessness problem is clearly absurd.

  28. I never claimed CC is the be all and end all to the problem. Many area churches serve lunch to homeless and working poor, gratefully. The Conrad center is a great facility. All volunteers at all of these facilities are to be applauded. Then there is meals on wheels who provide for the homebound. The salvation army helps many. I could go on and on. God bless them all.

  29. TOT: I’m already involved in helping out folks who are food insecure/homeless and advocating on their behalf, thanks for the information about this other group though.

  30. Todd W: So it seems like you love any program that’s intended to help the homeless, so long as it’s going on any place that you have to look at. Is this an unfair characterization? Is there a group that operates out in public, someplace near where you live and work that you do support?

  31. There’s a lot of personal attacks here that are undeserved.

    Dave T, you should perhaps not resort to personal attacks to make your point. Todd W. seems very involved and patient. Before you start throwing stones, maybe you should consider your own glass house.

    Michael, I have been by the park 3 times this week at lunch and there are not tons of people there. There are dozens at most and very few of them are stopping in the park. Here is the exception that proves the rule.

    I don’t think anyone disputes that you go to the park. The problem is that so few others do.

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