Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: July 23, 2021
Contact: Andrew Sporrer, Pr & Marketing Specialist, 804-217-1077, andrew.sporrer@dcr.virginia.gov
Virginia Outdoor Foundation funds park visits, career exploration for Richmond youth
(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Fish on! Richmond City Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities summer campers enjoy some time fishing at Pocahontas State Park courtesy of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation "Get Outdoors" grant which funded programs throughout Central Virginia this summer.)
Additional photos can be viewed and downloaded here.
RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation to transport Richmond Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities summer camp participants to nearby Virginia State Parks.
The funding comes from VOF’s Get Outdoors (GO) grant program and was awarded to DCR and PRCF for their proposal to increase access for underserved communities to green and outdoor spaces, establish healthy habits in youths, and introduce potential career paths in natural resources and recreation to program participants.
“Too often, minor barriers to recreational opportunities prevent people from benefiting from all that green spaces have to offer,” said DCR Deputy Director of Government and Community Relations Nathan Burrell. “Providing equitable access to safe and inviting open spaces is the first step to fostering the next generation of conservationists. The result of providing that opportunity can be absolutely transformative.”
Six Virginia State Parks will host some 380 PRCF campers throughout the summer and facilitate a range of recreational activities including, kayaking, archery, swimming, biking and hiking. Programming also includes educational and interpretive elements that will explore both the natural and historic resources of each park.
"We are excited to support this partnership between DCR and PRCF to get more kids from the city of Richmond outdoors," said VOF Executive Director Brett Glymph. "Transportation should not be a barrier to children spending time in nature."
VOF has made $1.9 million available for similar projects. VOF recently announced they have reserved $400,000 for this year’s GO grants and are accepting proposals through Aug. 20.
“Teaming up with DCR to ensure healthy recreational opportunities are available to Richmond’s youth is a win-win,” said PRCF Recreation Services Supervisor Melanie Ramos. “By putting Virginia State Parks within reach of kids who want these outdoor experiences, we’re facilitating meaningful, personal experiences and creating vested interest in the future of our public lands.”
"Virginia State Parks belong to all citizens of the commonwealth. We are grateful to have this opportunity to partner with PRCF and VOF in helping the young people of Richmond to experience their state parks,” said Virginia State Parks Director Dr. Melissa Baker. “It is our hope that this will be but the first in a lifetime of state parks experiences for each of the participants."
The first program participants visited Pocahontas State Park on July 22, where they met park rangers, park law enforcement and AmeriCorps members from the career development program.
“DCR is home to engineers, scientists, maintenance techs, law enforcement and interpretive rangers to name a few,” said Park Manager Nate Clark. “We want you to know that no matter what you dream of doing with your life, you can do it at DCR.”
DCR plans to submit an additional proposal to VOF for this year’s round of funding to expand the program to other parts of the state.
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