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To approve an amendment to the Master Plan for the City of Richmond, adopted by the City Planning Commission on Oct. 5, 2020, and approved by the City Council by Ord. No. 2020-236, adopted Dec. 14, 2020, to incorporate Richmond INSPIRE: A Citywide Vision Plan for Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities as the master plan for the City’s parks and recreational spaces to create a transparent, community-driven vision for parks and recreational spaces.
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WHEREAS, pursuant to section 17.06 of the Charter of the City of Richmond (2026), as amended, the City Planning Commission adopted and certified a Master Plan for the City of Richmond on October 5, 2020; and
WHEREAS, by Ordinance No. 2020-236, adopted December 14, 2020, the Council of the City of Richmond approved a Master Plan for the City of Richmond pursuant to a request by the City Planning Commission that the Council approve such a Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, Richmond INSPIRE: A Citywide Vision Plan for Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities amends the Master Plan by setting forth a master plan for the City’s parks and recreational spaces to create a transparent, community-driven vision for parks and recreation; and
WHEREAS, the City Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on June 2, 2026, for the purpose of receiving public comment relative to incorporating Richmond INSPIRE: A Citywide Vision Plan for Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities as an amendment to the Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, by a resolution dated June 16, 2026, a copy of which is attached to this ordinance, the City Planning Commission adopted the proposed amendment to incorporate Richmond INSPIRE: A Citywide Vision Plan for Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities as part of the Master Plan; and
WHEREAS, it is the consensus of the Council that it is in the best interest of the City of Richmond that the Council, for and behalf of the City of Richmond, consent to and adopt the aforesaid amendment to the Master Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the amendment to the Master Plan, consisting of a document entitled “Richmond INSPIRE: A Citywide Vision Plan for Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities,” dated May 2026, a copy of which is attached to and incorporated into this ordinance, as adopted by City Planning Commission at its meeting on June 16, 2026, be and is hereby approved as set out in the City Planning Commission’s resolution of that date.
§ 2. That the amendment to the Master Plan adopted by section 1 of this ordinance shall supersede all other parts of the Master Plan adopted prior to the effective date of this ordinance with which it conflicts.
§ 3. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: July 2, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Tanikia Jackson, DCAO - Finance & Administration
THROUGH: Letitia Shelton, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan Brown, Director of Budget and Strategic Planning
THROUGH: Alfred Wiggins, Jr., DCAO - Operations
FROM: Christopher E. Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities
RE: Acceptance and appropriation of $7,900.00 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s VA250 Marketing Leverage Program for the Reclaiming Our History: Barton Heights Cemeteries Heritage Trail project.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $7,900.00 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation and to amend the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities entitled “VA250 Marketing Leverage Program Special Fund,” and appropriating the increase to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ “VA250 Marketing Leverage Program Special Fund” by $7,900.00 for the purpose of funding the Reclaiming Our History: Barton Heights Cemeteries Heritage Trail project.
BACKGROUND: The Virginia Tourism Corporation’s VA250 Marketing Leverage Program supports tourism marketing initiatives and public engagement activities associated with Virginia’s commemoration of 250 years of American history and democracy. The City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities was awarded $7,900.00 for the Reclaiming Our History: Barton Heights Cemeteries Heritage Trail project.
The project supports the development of permanent interpretive signage and related marketing activities designed to increase public awareness, heritage tourism, and respectful visitation at Barton Heights Cemeteries. Eligible activities include interpretive signage for tourism and public education, QR-linked digital storytelling content, print collateral, and promotional outreach that highlights the historical and cultural significance of Barton Heights Cemeteries within the broader context of Virginia's VA250 commemoration.
The grant is reimbursement-based and requires a 1:1 cash match, satisfied through eligible City-funded marketing and promotional expenditures associated with the approved project scope.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: After introduction, the proposed ordinance will be referred to the Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee meeting for discussion, where the public is encouraged to attend and provide comments. After the committee's recommendation to the City Council, the Council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Mayoral Action Plan: Thriving Neighborhoods, A Thriving and Sustainable Built Environment
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: Budget, Finance
FISCAL IMPACT / COST: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Special Fund revenues will increase by $7,900. A new special fund titled "VA250 Marketing Leverage Program Special Fund” will be created. The grant requires a 1:1 cash match, satisfied through eligible City-funded marketing and promotional expenditures.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: September 14, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: September 28, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee
AFFECTED AGENCIES: PRCF, Budget, Finance
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None.
ATTACHMENTS: Award Notification Letter
STAFF: Christopher Frelke, Director, PRCF
Shamar Young, Deputy Director, PRCF
Kimberly Jackson, Cemeteries Community Engagement Manager, PRCF
Priscilla Wright, Volunteer Program Coordinator & Grant Writer, PRCF