2009 promises to be a big year for the Richmond Greenway project. The eastern portion of the Greenway is under contract and will be constructed in the spring of 2009. Last night, the Richmond City Council authorized purchase of the “Adachi Property” which provides the final link between the Richmond Greenway and the Ohlone Greenway, providing a walking and biking trail from Point Richmond to the southern part of Berkeley. See article from December 14, West County Times, below:

January 19, 2009, will mark the second Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on the Richmond Greenway. We need your help; there is lots of work still to do.

Last year, more than 150 volunteers turned out for a Day of Service on the Richmond Greenway to honor the legacy and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We worked together to build garden beds, clean up garbage, and to plant trees, berry bushes, and native plants. We celebrated with inspirational speeches and performances, delicious and healthy west County food, and the uplifting tunes of DJ Goodbeer. Our collective efforts made an important difference on the Richmond Greenway and brought our community one small step closer to the Dr. King's vision.

The MLK Day of Service on the Richmond Greenway is just one of hundreds of service events nationally on MLK Day. This Richmond event is organized by Friends of the Richmond Greenway, Opportunity West/SAGE, and Urban Tilth and supported by Service for Peace, the Watershed Project, C.U.R.M.E. (Communities United Restoring Mother Earth), the 5% Local Coalition, CYCLE, the Rosie the Riveter National Park, the City of Richmond, Parks and Landscaping Division, Verde Partnership Garden and others. We are looking for other schools, churches, and community organizations and individuals to get involved.

The next planning session will take place during the first 40 minutes of the Friends of the Richmond Greenway meeting on November 19th at 5:30 at the Nevin Center. See Information and agenda, below. For more information, contact Park Guthrie at park@urbantilth.org or (510) 691-5051. You can also look for updates at the Urban Tilth website News page at http://www.urbantilth.org/site/?page_id=5.  

Led by Friends of the Richmond Greenway (FORG) A Steering Committee (Committee) was recently formed to explore the feasibility of establishing a Richmond Groundwork USA Trust (Trust), to galvanize unique greenway, outdoor, and environmentally-oriented projects, programs and resources to benefit the Richmond community. A coordinator is being sought. See job description and application information below.

Richmond Greenway's east half to take shape next year

By Katherine Tam
West County Times

Article Launched: 12/14/2008 05:55:55 PM PST

Richmond's plan to transform abandoned railroad tracks flanked by overgrown weeds into a paved walking and biking path is cycling into its next construction phase.

City officials will start to build the eastern half of the Richmond Greenway about February or March, city engineer Rich Davidson said. Construction is expected to take about six months.

The Richmond Greenway is a planned 3-mile trail surrounded by open space along the former Santa Fe railroad corridor abandoned since the late 1970s that runs parallel to Ohio Street. It eventually will connect the San Francisco Bay Trail to the west and the Ohlone Greenway in El Cerrito to the east, creating a seamless path for commuters and those out for recreation or exercise.

Financial and political hurdles spanning 25 years threatened the project before construction finally began in 2006. The highly anticipated western end of the trail from Garrard Boulevard to 23rd Street opened in May 2007.

The $1.3 million eastern segment that will be built early next year picks up where the existing trail leaves off, continuing from 23rd Street to behind the Target store on Macdonald Avenue near 45th Street.

Officials are still trying to solve two smaller but important gaps: a crossing at 23rd Street to connect the east and west Greenway segments, and another crossing at San Pablo Avenue linking to the Ohlone Greenway.

Even in its partially constructed state, the Greenway has lured walkers, joggers, bicyclists, open-space lovers, gardeners and artists. Children at Lincoln Elementary School tend 30 raised garden beds near Sixth Street every week. The group Urban Tilth leads volunteers in planting Berryland, a garden of edible landscaping. More gardens and possibly a pumpkin patch might be on the way. Youths led by an artist created a mural nearby.

"We've gotten a good start in getting projects going, but if we're going to be successful, we've got to figure out a way to get folks from the immediate community involved," said Park Guthrie, director of Urban Tilth.

The Greenway sits in the backyards of seven neighborhoods and is within walking distance of another four.

City officials are developing a parks master plan and will hold meetings soon to solicit input on what else residents want on the Greenway.

"We want it to be developed as a community asset and something people will use," said Nancy Baer, chairwoman of Friends of the Richmond Greenway. "If it isn't used, owned and embraced by the community, it will fall into disrepair and become a liability rather than an asset."

Reach Katherine Tam at 510-262-2787 or ktam@bayareanewsgroup.com.

ON THE GREENWAY

·  Work parties at Berryland and Lincoln School Farm (both at Sixth Street) are the second Saturday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

·  Friends of the Richmond Greenway meets the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Nevin Community Center, 598 Nevin Ave.

·  Second annual Martin Luther King Day of Service is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 19. Activities will include collecting litter and gardening.

Friends of the Richmond Greenway Meeting, Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 5:00 – 7:00 pm

Nevin Center, 598 Nevin Avenue, Richmond

AGENDA 

v  Welcome, Introductions, Minutes      

v  MLK Day of Service                                           

v  Staff Report                                                                     

Ø  Construction Progress                                               

Ø  Parks Master Plan

v  FORG Materials and Website                 

v  Groundwork Trust                                                

Ø  1^st Steering Committee Planning                                                                   

v  Announcements                                                   

v  Meeting for January will again combine FORG and MLK Day

Ø  Wed. January 14, 5-7 pm

v  Future Agenda Items

o   East end planning

o   Miraflores Development

For more info:  Cheryl Maier (510) 236–5812  opportunitywest@sbcglobal.net                                           Nancy Baer   (925) 313-6837  nbaer@hsd.cccounty.us

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Richmond Groundwork Trust Feasiblity Study

Coordinator

Applications due: December 31, 2008

A Steering Committee (Committee) was recently formed to explore the feasibility of establishing a Richmond Groundwork USA Trust (Trust), to galvanize unique greenway, outdoor, and environmentally-oriented projects, programs and resources to benefit the Richmond community.

The Committee is looking for a Coordinator with a passion for bringing people together and solid organizational skills to help coordinate efforts to conduct a Feasibility Study with the aim of creating a permanent non-profit Groundwork Richmond Trust. The right Coordinator will excel at collaboration be able to work successfully with the Committee, consultants, and community groups, and have good analytical skills. He or she will be a good communicator, both verbally and in writing, have an understanding of urban natural and cultural resources and programs, and be both self-motivated and well organized.

Background

Groundwork USA works with communities to improve their environment, economy, and quality of life through local action. Communities with designated ‘brownfields’ sites are eligible to apply for the Groundwork program, through the National Park Service Rivers and Trails Program. Richmond applied to Groundwork, conducted preliminary activities, and was invited to conduct a Feasibility Study to determine whether a Groundwork Richmond Trust should be formed. During the Feasibility Study, information will be gathered and analyzed to help the Committee determine if a Groundwork Richmond should be formed, what projects it would undertake, how it would partner with other agencies, and how it would be funded. Groundwork USA will work as consultants to the Committee to conduct the Feasibility Study and prepare the final report and business plan for Groundwork Richmond.

Overall funding for the feasibility study is provided by the Environmental Protection Agency, and for this Feasibility Study, matching funds are being provided by the City of Richmond through the City Parks & Landscaping Department.

The Committee is a diverse group of public, private, and non-profit representatives committed to improving Richmond’s outdoor environment and providing high quality opportunities for stewardship of outdoor resources and related economic improvements. The Committee’s current projects include bringing improvements and fostering youth and community involvement on the Central Richmond Greenway, which passes through core urban neighborhoods and will serve as a model for expanding activities throughout the City and possibly the greater Richmond area.

Coordinator Responsibilities

Collaborative Planning and Coordination:

§  Assist the Committee with implementation of the Feasibility Study Workplan, helping to plan and staff regular Steering Committee meetings and assure that workplan tasks are completed in a timely manner.

§  Facilitate communication among Committee members, Groundwork USA consultants and related park planning efforts. 

§  Prepare agendas, minutes, reports and related documents for Committee and Consultant use.

§  Schedule and arrange outreach forums and speaking engagements for Committee members; participate in selected outreach events.

§  Help identify funding sources to support Groundwork Richmond once established (per the workplan).

Public Outreach: 

§  Help develop and implement a targeted outreach program to foster active community involvement in the feasibility study. Assist with presentations and attend meetings as needed.

§  Develop written and website information for public outreach and dissemination; help ensure that Committee programs convey cohesive and consistent messages 

§  Coordinate closely with the master park planning efforts of the Parks & Landscaping Superintendent.

Position Requirements/ Qualifications

§  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent academic experience in a field such as education, environmental management, political science, public administration or landscape architecture. 

§  Experience in program coordination, skills in facilitating meetings and managing collaborative activities; strong organizational skills.

§  Experience and ability to work with diverse populations; Spanish language skills a plus.

§  Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfort with public speaking.

§  Familiarity with park planning and funding programs in the region; knowledge of relevant government agencies, educational institutions, and interest groups helpful.

Terms of Engagement

Part-time with flexible hours, up to two days a week from January 15 through June 30, 2009. Salary is commensurate with experience. Evening presentations and meetings are a certainty. The Coordinator must provide own transportation, computer, and telephone. This is to be a contracted position. A selection interview will be scheduled and conducted by representatives of the Committee.

To Apply

Interested candidates should mail or e-mail a letter of interest, resume, and writing sample with names of three references by December 31, 2008 to:

Anthony Norris

Parks & Landscaping Superintendent

City of Richmond

Parks Field Office

3201 Leona Avenue

Richmond, CA 94804

 or e-mail Anthony_Norris@ci.richmond.ca.us

Questions may be directed to (510) 231-3073