Dear Neighbors and Friends,

You must feel it too! Just two weeks into the new year, and the world seems like a much different place than you know. The same applies to Richmond and the Fonticello Park Community.

2025 was an amazing year of progress that brought our community together. We are grateful for all your support, and that of our neighbors, friends, and partners.

While we took a break during the holidays, a lot has occurred in the park and our neighborhood.

Park Community and Neighborhood Safety

Park safety is at the core of the Friends of Fonticello Park’s mission. Whether in the park, coming to or from the park, or anywhere nearby, we should remain vigilant as pedestrians, and as drivers, be mindful of vulnerable street users. Over the last few weeks, several incidents concerning safety have occurred around the neighborhood and throughout the city.

At the corner of Semmes Avenue and Cowardin, a 26-year-old woman crossing Semmes Avenue was struck and killed by a driver. The driver fled the scene. This comes shortly after Bill Martin of The Valentine, a Friend and partner to FoFP, also lost his life after being struck by a driver near the Valentine on December 28th.

*While we mourn our friends and neighbors, we can also do our part to consider everyone’s safety.

Park Improvement Projects

Just before the holidays, Friends of Fonticello Park and our partners, Future Habitats, participated in the final workday of the 2025 season. We completed lining the walking path of the teardrop garden and added more river rock along the paths of the other phases of the native meadow.

Regarding the Bathrooms and recreation building, we have seen some motion and contractors visiting the site. The latest we have heard from our partners at Parks and Rec was that construction will begin in the winter and is expected to take less than a year.

January Member Meeting

Our next member meeting will be on Tuesday, January 20th.

This will be a virtual meeting.

FOFP Member Meeting Details

• Tuesday, January 20th · 5:30 – 6:30pm | Time zone: America/New_York

• Google Meet joining info | Video call link: https://meet.google.com/yrg-gvtg-ssv

• Or dial: ‪(US) +1 405-357-8393‬ PIN: ‪613 170 639‬#

• More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/yrg-gvtg-ssv?pin=1090897059204

Would you like to get involved and promote safety in the neighborhood?

There are opportunities to get involved!

• Join the Semmes Avenue Safety Committee via Woodland Heights Civic Association

• Fill out LQC Survey 1 and Survey 2 

• Attend 5th District Town Halls

• Apply to attend this year’s Bike Walk RVA Academy

Thank you all again!

Your neighbor,

Carl Joseph