Danny Avula

We are still glowing from Thursday. Intentional space for children to play and adventure and belong. Built with local, sustainable materials to connect children’s play to the rivers and woods that surround the play space. Constructed through community. Sparking joy to inspire stewardship. Our deep gratitude and welcome to the organizations who embraced this dream with us along the way and who made it possible to bring it to light: @robinsfdn , Second Presbyterian Church, and CSX. Thank you to all those who came to celebrate, especially @dannyavula , @adamspanberger , @ellenrobertson6 , @4thdistrictsarah , @gumbydotgov , @raecousins , @capitalregionlandconservancy @richmond.nps Thank you to Giles Garrison and Josh Stutz, @marvel_is_design and @truetimber.arborists for championing this project over many years. We would not be here today without your vision, and without your embrace of the importance of community in driving vision. We are rich in our community in the people who care for the Park every day. Thank you to the @rvaparksandrec JRPS operations team who upended their normal work schedules to create this space for wonder, adventure, exploration, and joy. Thank you for the work that you did to get us here today, and for the work you do every day that fosters wonder and joy in natural spaces along the James. Everyone who has been involved in this project along the way has been dreaming of the day when this area was ready for Richmond’s children. Well, it’s time! Come! Play, explore, and join us as we work together to steward this special wild place for the future.

Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to these past few weeks: Photo 1-2: Earth Day clean-up in Jefferson Park - thank you to everyone who showed up to care for our shared spaces! Photo 3-4: A Q&A with the Richmond Pediatric Society, featuring a panel discussion with Del. Mark Downey, moderated by Dr. Tovia Smith Photo 5: Thank you to the Salvation Army for the honor of speaking at the Leaders Doing the Most Good Luncheon Photo 6: We kicked off RVA Bike Month with a celebration of our local and state trails and a quick chat with Del. Shelly Simonds 🚲 Photo 7: Q&A with Friends of Foster Care at the Foster Care May Day Luncheon, featuring Josiah Hill and Audra Bullock Photo 8-10: Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month at the 28th Asian American Celebration with the leadership of the Asian American Society of Central Virginia, Del. May Nivar, and a few of the incredible performers! Photo 11: Honored to join everyone at Disability Inclusion Day at @carmaxpark 💙 Photo 12: Congratulations @visualappealllc ! We joined together for their ribbon cutting event with CAO Odie Donald II and Director of Economic Development, Angie Rodgers ✨🎉

Recently at the 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮, we welcomed 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝘀 and 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘆 𝗔𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗮 for a conversation about how state and local government can work together — and with nonprofits like @homeofva — to expand access to safe, stable, affordable housing. 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝘀 spoke about "historic tenant protections" she helped win during this year's General Assembly session, while noting that there is "still work that we have to do." 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘃𝘂𝗹𝗮 emphasized that "housing is the issue of our time," yet many people struggling with affordability "lack the bandwidth in their lives to come to a City Council meeting" or advocate in other ways. For those who can, Mayor Avula urged residents: "𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 and your spheres of influence to move policy, to hold localities accountable — and ultimately connect with real people facing real distress in a challenging time." We are grateful to the Delegate and the Mayor for their participation, and appreciate @libraryofva for hosting this special event. #FairHousing #Virginia

Thank you @homeofva and Delegate @raecousins for an awesome conversation on housing policy last Wednesday. And than you to everyone who joined us!

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, a time to reflect on and celebrate the vital contributions AANHPI communities have made to our shared history and culture. Here are a few ways to learn and engage this month: 📚 Read & Explore: Check out Richmond Public Library’s AAPI & JAHM young adult reading list at rvalibrary.org/shelf-respect/ya-reads-aapi-and-jewish-american-heritage 🏠 Story Time “All About Japan”: Join @rvalibrary & Miss Summer for a journey through Japan’s history and cultural influence, plus a take-home origami craft inspired by her travels to Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. All ages welcome. Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026 Time: 4:30pm - 5:30pm Location: Broad Rock Library Meeting Room 🎨 Visit the @thevalentinerva : Catch "Generations: Stories of Asian Americans in Richmond", on view at the Valentine Museum through May 25 thevalentine.org/explore/exhibitions/generations-stories-of-asian-americans-in-richmond 🍱 Lunch & Learn: The Virginia Museum of History & Culture @vmhceducation is hosting a Lunch & Learn, Thursday, 5/21, on preserving and sharing AAPI history in Virginia. Register at secure.virginiahistory.org/5029/5030 Explore resources and events at asianpacificheritage.gov

Friday was a GREAT day for Virginia cyclists and trail enthusiasts! I joined Mayor Danny Avula, Virginia Secretary of Transportation Nick Donohue, and community members in Kanawha Plaza to celebrate Richmond’s commitment to the Fall Line Trail, launch VDOT’s State Trails Plan, and share the Governor’s proclamation recognizing May as Bike Month. More information is linked in my story. 📸: @sportsbackers

May is a month filled with cultural celebrations and one we honor is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate Richmond’s Jewish American communities and the impact they’ve made on our city. Here are a few ways to honor and engage this month: 📚 Read & Explore: Check out @rvalibrary 's AAPI & JAHM young adult reading list at rvalibrary.org/shelf-respect/ya-reads-aapi-and-jewish-american-heritage 📷 Be a Part of History: The Virginia Holocaust Museum @vaholocaust is photographing Holocaust survivors and their family members for an exhibition launching next spring, which will serve as a powerful teaching tool for the museum. Learn more at vaholocaust.org 🔗 Learn More: Explore resources and events for Jewish American Heritage Month at jewishheritagemonth.gov

Happy Public Service Recognition Week, and thank you to all who choose public service everyday - our city is so grateful for you! 💙

May is Bike Month and it’s our chance to show the rest of the Commonwealth how Richmond rides! Download the @virginiadrpt ConnectingVA app, track your miles, and log every ride for a chance to win prizes. But more importantly, you’ll help RVA climb the state leaderboard for some serious bragging rights. @mayorphillipjones are you in? 👀 To download the app and learn more visit: connectingva.drpt.virginia.gov/bike

💙🚲 Happy Bike Month, Richmond! We kicked off the month by celebrating our incredible state and local trails — including the Fall Line Trail, 43 miles connecting communities, schools, and jobs across 7 localities. A huge thank you to our speakers including Mayor @dannyavula and First Gentleman @adamspanberger , for championing trail access and keeping Richmond moving. Shoutout to our amazing partners @bikewalkrva and @sportsbackers for joining the fun! 🙌 Want to know what’s coming up this month? Of course you do! Check out the full schedule of events and activities at sportsbackers.org/rva-bike-month

My administration is pro-labor, my record at the City is pro-labor, my proposed budget is pro-labor, and the future of this city is pro-labor. Today we honor the work and the people who make organized labor possible.

Here’s a quick recap of the places I’ve been and just a few of the people I’ve met over the past few weeks: 📸 1: Honored to have attended the @shockoeinstitute ’s “Expanding Freedom” unveiling alongside local leaders and Richmond Public School students experiencing the exhibit and lab for the first time. 📸 2: Stopped by the Fuchsia Freedom Garden to celebrate Earth Day! The celebrations continue tomorrow with clean up events happening all around the City. 📸 3: Joined a roundtable conversation on positive youth development during Youth Violence Awareness Week. 📸 4: Thank you to @girlsforachange for visiting City Hall! 📸 5: Celebrated @croakersspot ’s 25th Anniversary at their Hull St. block party. A true Richmond institution. 📸 6: Welcomed the newest members of the DPU Call Center team. 📸 7: The 6th Annual Financial Literacy Fair brought together residents and city employees for tools and resources to build long-term financial stability. 📸 8: Spent some time meeting and speaking with the City Auditor Team. 📸 9: Greeted a delegation from China’s Fujian Province. 📸 10: Celebrated the Liberty Place Townhomes Ribbon Cutting - more housing for Richmond residents. 📸 11: Spoke with the AP Government class at Armstrong High School. That’s all for now - see you around town, Richmond.