Meadow Park Enhancements

Oct 24, 2012
News

Meadow Park Update

The implementation of the first phase of proposed landscape improvements for Meadow Park was approved at the Saturday, October 13 meeting which was open to all interested residents of the Fan. Phase I includes the following:

  1.  Repairing the perimeter and interior brick walkways is underway. The Department of Public Works and the Department of Parks and Recreation is making the repairs at no cost to The Friends of Meadow Park. Also removing three dying trees and three overgrown shrubs.
  2. Planting low maintenance, low growing shrubs in the grassy area that is east of the Meadow Street sidewalk and at the two Meadow Street corners. Shipp & Wilson Landscaping, Inc. will begin the planting at the first of December.
  3. Limbing and pruning the tall trees and shrubs at the west end of the park (to be done by Shipp & Wilson)
  4. Replacing park signs with signs of a design that is more appropriate with the architecture of the neighborhood.

Suggestions made at the meeting include:

  1.  Request DPW to install a hose bib at the east end of the park in lieu of extending irrigation to the rose bed
  2. Request DPW to install an electrical outlet at the east end of the park
  3. Request DPW to install pavers or bricks under the benches at the same time the brick walkways are being repaired. A hard surface will stop the increasing erosion.
  4. Request matching funding from organizations such as the Fan Woman’s Club, Fan Townhouse & Garden Club, and the Fan District Association for specific needs of the park
  5. Send an email notice through the FDA to inform neighbors that Park Stewards should coordinate all applications of any chemicals or solutions used in the parks such as herbicides and pesticides. The notice will also remind neighbors that no one but Park Stewards is authorized to add any plants, bushes or trees to any park.

The Friends of Meadow Park received a $8000 grant from the FDA in 2012 to cover part of the cost of Phase I improvements which is estimated at approximately $10,000. The additional $2000 will come from a $6000 fund that The Friends of Meadow Park has with the EnRichmond Foundation, a foundation of the Department of Parks and Recreation. The remaining $4000 will be used to leverage future needs by matching any funds requested from other organizations to accomplish the suggestions noted above and to help complete the remaining phases.

Work on Meadow Park is a multi-year project, and Friends is planning another general meeting in January or February 2013.

The landscape improvements will certainly enhance the appearance and appeal of this gateway park, and neighbors have expressed enthusiastic support.