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To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a First Amendment to Maymont Foundation Operating Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Maymont Foundation for the purpose of allowing the Maymont Foundation to continue managing, maintaining, operating, and improving Maymont Park in the city of Richmond.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, be and is hereby authorized to execute a First Amendment to Maymont Foundation Operating Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Maymont Foundation for the purpose of allowing the Maymont Foundation to continue managing, maintaining, operating, and improving Maymont Park in the city of Richmond. Such First Amendment to Maymont Foundation Operating Agreement shall be approved as to form by the City Attorney and shall be substantially in the form of the document attached to this ordinance.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and in effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: October 24, 2025
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Amy Popovich, DCAO for Human Services
THROUGH: Letitia Shelton, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan K. Brown, Director of Budget & Strategic Planning
FROM: Christopher E. Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities
RE: One-year Operating Agreement between the City of Richmond and Maymont Foundation.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a First Amendment to Maymont Foundation Operating Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Maymont Foundation for the purpose of allowing the Maymont Foundation to continue managing, maintaining, operating and improving Maymont Park, located at 2201 Shields Lake Drive and 1700 Hampton Street.
BACKGROUND: The Maymont Foundation, established in 1975, has long served as the steward of Maymont Park, overseeing its operation, maintenance, and animal care while honoring the Dooleys’ original bequest that the grounds remain free to the public. Over the decades, the Foundation has preserved and enhanced the park’s historic 100 acres through projects such as restoring the Japanese and Italian Gardens, creating the Carriage Collection, and opening the Belowstairs exhibit to share the stories of Maymont’s African American domestic staff. It also expanded educational opportunities with the opening of The Robins Nature Center in 1999, the largest facility in Central Virginia interpreting the James River ecosystem. More recently, the Foundation led the “Spirit of Generosity” campaign, raising $27 million to fund major improvements, including farm renovations and a new event space. Now, with Maymont 2025, the Foundation is advancing a $11.75 million effort to enhance guest experiences, accessibility, and resiliency, ensuring the park’s vitality as it approaches its centennial as a public space.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: After introduction, the proposed ordinance will be referred to future Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee meeting for discussion, where the public is encouraged to attend to provide comments. After the committee’s recommendation to the City Council, Council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: None.
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: N/A.
FISCAL IMPACT / COST: During the Extension Term, the City shall, to the extent that funds are appropriated for the purpose, pay to the Foundation, to be applied to its obligations under the 1995 Agreement, as amended hereby, the sum of at least $473,800.00, such payment to be made in equal quarterly installments (partial quarters shall be prorated).
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: November 10, 2025
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: December 8, 2025
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation
AFFECTED AGENCIES: PRCF
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None.
ATTACHMENTS: Operating Agreement
STAFF: Christopher Frelke, Director, PRCF - (804) 646-1128
Nissa Richardson, Deputy Director, PRCF - (804) 646-5619
Daniel Hazlett, Senior Management Analyst, PRCF - (804) 646-7506