Residents may participate in the Adopt-A-Tree Program by making a tax-deductible contribution to the Parks & Recreation Foundation which will go toward planting a new tree or trees. Additionally, participants agree to water the tree for the first two years as outlined in the Tree Maintenance Agreement.

Applications are due by October 1. Trees are planted late November through the end of February. For additional information please refer to Frequently Asked Questions on Richmond’s City govermnment site. Permits for maintenance or removal of City trees are issued by the Urban Forestry Division in certain cases free of charge.

A class on Hazard Tree Assessment and Dutch Elm Disease will be held at Bryant Park on Saturday, 13 September 2008 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

The cost is $25.00 per person.

The Expert providing training and education is Mr. Guy Meilleur, Arborist, Consulting Arborist, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist and ISA Municipal Specialist – Utility Specialist.  Mr. Meilleur is also scheduled to give a class on Pathology on 18 November 2008 to the Tree Stewards for which there will be no charge.  This class will also be offered as part of Arbor Day 2009 (Friday, 24 April) activities.  See http://www.bettertreecare.com/index.html for more information.

Kay C. Peninger, Executive Director Patrick Henry Committee and St. John’s Church Foundation has sent the Association an article on our neighborhood. St. John’s Church recently hosted a group of travel writers and she thought we would enjoy their attached article. rrht-capital-gazette-maryland.pdf

newsletter-july-2008.pdf

newsletter-june-2008.pdf

neighborhood-watch.pdf

newsletter-may-2008.pdf

Mr. Heywood Harrison of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities with the Church Hill Association rising President, John Johnson, organized a focus group meeting on 5 May 2008 at St. John’s Parish Hall to discuss the redesign of Chimborazo Playground. Approximately 25 people attended, including Petanque Players, parks representatives, Tricycle Gardens, Friends of Chimborazo Playground and community residents.

This was the second of three focus group meetings; the discussion was led by BAM Architect Ann Durkin.  The total budget for the project is $250,000. Additional funds are available for park deconstruction. More funding could be made available through grants.  The Friends of Chimborazo Playground presented a quick overview highlighting some of their concerns, including lack of lighting, drug use, prostitution, graffiti, and other safety and health issues. Other participants representing various interests in the community, presented their views as well. 

The Richmond Times Dispatch is hosting a Public Square forum on The James River on Monday May 5 from 7 – 8:30, at 300 East Franklin St. Downtown.  They have selected several members to participate on a panel discussing their, “observations, predictions and conclusions”, about The James River.  On the panel of “Experts” with five other individuals is Mr. George Ross, R3 Development/Echo Harbour.  His selection on the panel, according to Mr. Robin Beres of the Times Dispatch, was so that all opinions and viewpoints would be represented.   

We the neighbors and community of Church Hill need to have a presence at that forum and, during the public discussion, present challenges and points of view to re-emphasize our continued lack of support of Echo Harbour.  Included is a summary of the CHA October 15, 2006 Membership Meeting where a vote opposed the move by Echo Harbour to acquire a rezoning of the property from M-2 to RF-2 and a special use zoning variance from the RF-2 height restriction of 150’ to erect a building over 200’ tall on the property below Libby Hill Park.  The relevant minutes of that meeting are reproduced for informational purposes:    

– OCTOBER 15, 2006 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 

Call to Order: The President of CHA, Richard Worssam

The proposed site for Echo Harbour is between the Great Shiplock Park and the white cement towers along the North bank of the James River. The developer is seeking a rezoning of the property from its current M-2 Industrial zoning to RF-2 River District. They also are seeking a special use permit or zoning variance from the RF-2 height restriction of 150’ to build a building 206’ tall. (Sec. 114-447.1, 2, 8, 10, 11 and 17.)   

The developers are proposing 250 condominium units to be built in two 350’ wide buildings, (in a stair-step configuration), separated by a 275’ view corridor. These structures are to be placed atop a 3 level of parking garage, all of which would be setback 50’ from the river.  Following the Q&A session …a motion was made, seconded, and universally approved.  It stated:  “The Church Hill Association opposes the development as proposed and recommends no rezoning other than RF-1 with its 60 foot height limit.” 

This is and continues to be the position of the Church Hill Association.

newsletter-april-2008.pdf