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Friends of Forest Hill Park
- September 2026 Newsletter -
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Dear Friends,
Welcome to the newly updated version of the Friends of Forest Hill Park newsletter! We thought we’d start by sharing with readers a little about who we are and what we do.
Friends of Forest Hill Park is a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, and celebrating Richmond’s Forest Hill Park. Our mission is to advocate for the Park’s historic buildings and trails, its native plants and wildlife, its watershed, and the public spaces that make it such a special part of our community.
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But what does that actually look like? It looks like planting trees and helping them thrive; caring for our pollinator garden; maintaining our Little Free Libraries; supporting the ecological health of the Park, and working alongside Richmond Parks and Recreation to make the Park better for people and wildlife.
It looks like bringing people in the community together. Every year, we help make possible events like the Forest Hill Spring Classic, Halloween Howl, Christmas at the Stone House, walking history tours, and educational programs that give neighbors a reason to get outside, learn something new, and enjoy the Park together. These efforts may take many forms, but they all have something in common: they make Forest Hill Park a healthier, more vibrant, and more connected community space.
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Friends of Forest Hill Park membership helps make all of this possible. Membership support helps us purchase trees and native plants, care for the Park’s shared resources, support educational opportunities, and continue the events and programs that bring our community together.
We hope this newsletter gives you a better sense of what this group does, and inspires you to get involved, whether that means volunteering, joining us at an event, becoming a member, or simply taking a walk through the Park and appreciating all that it has to offer. Thank you for being part of this community and for helping us care for Forest Hill Park, today and for generations to come.
With gratitude,
Friends of Forest Hill Park Board of Directors
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Become a Member and Support Our Mission
Your membership supports the maintenance, health, and vitality of:
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🌳 Historic buildings and trails
🌳 Native plants and wildlife
🌳 Grounds and public spaces
| | | 🚴🏼♀️ Congrats to the Spring Classic Racers! | | |
On April 19th, we hosted the 6th Annual Forest Hill Spring Classic, bringing a morning of bikes, racing, and fun to Forest Hill Park. Young cyclists and their families came out for a day of friendly competition and outdoor adventure.
A huge thank-you goes to all of our sponsors, community partners, and vendors whose support helps make the Spring Classic possible and allows Friends of Forest Hill Park to continue caring for and improving the park.
And, of course, congratulations to all of the amazing racers! We loved seeing your determination, enthusiasm, and joy on the course. Thanks to everyone who raced, cheered, volunteered, or simply came out to enjoy the day.
It was a great success, and we’re already looking forward to the 7th Annual Spring Classic next spring! Our tentative date is April 18th. We’ll see you at the starting line!
| | 🪺 Bluebirds Abound Thanks to the Bluebird Trail and Volunteer Monitors | | |
By Laura Dysart
Earlier this spring, Friends of Forest Hill Park held a Bluebird Trail monitoring session for neighbors interested in learning about the trail and volunteering. The trail is monitored and maintained by Friends of Forest Hill Park and the Virginia Bluebird Society, with seven regular volunteers plus Friends of Forest Hill Park Youth volunteers.
About 60 years ago, bluebird populations were declining, largely due to habitat loss and invasive sparrows taking over nesting cavities. A national bluebird association was formed to promote bluebird trails and recommend practices such as predator guards, regular monitoring, removing wasp nests and sparrow nests, preventing ant invasions, and recording data on nests, eggs, and fledglings. Over time, these efforts have helped restore bluebird populations.
Forest Hill Park’s Bluebird Trail was installed about 14 years ago. Volunteers continue to monitor 10 boxes, moving them as the landscape and birds’ preferences change. This summer, the trail produced seven bluebird nests, 21 eggs, and 19 fledglings that took flight into Forest Hill Park. No other species nested this year, although chickadees have used the boxes in past years.
The monitoring season runs from March through August. Interested in volunteering? Contact Laura Dysart at lauradysart@verizon.net. Another training session will be held in spring 2027.
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🌱 Invasive Weed Management in
Forest Hill Park
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By Chris Catanzaro, Ph.D.
The mission of Richmond’s Parks Friends groups is to assist with oversight and implementation of tasks to maintain and preserve our parks, their history, and their attributes. Because Forest Hill Park is over 100 acres in size, Friends of Forest Hill Park’s volunteers spend a lot of time and effort on the management of invasive plants within the Park. Invasive plants such as English ivy cause harm by destroying habitat otherwise used by native plants. Why are native plants so important within ecosystems? They provide food and other benefits for native pollinators and other creatures. In nature, everything is connected! Furthermore, keeping invasive vines out of trees makes our trees safer for walking and biking.
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| | Asiatic bittersweet is a woody invasive vine spreading rapidly in the Park. It grows aggressively to a height of sixty feet in the tree canopy, covering tree foliage and adding a lot of additional weight to tree branches. Removing it when it’s young is the easiest management option. | | | | 🌳 The Rebirth of a Remarkable Tree | | |
This fall, Forest Hill Park will become home to one of the newest descendants of a remarkable historic oak tree. Located in Crooked Branch Ravine Park, this tree is the largest white oak in the City of Richmond and is estimated to be at least 250 years old.
The oak has long captured the attention of people who value Richmond’s natural heritage. It was one of the trees nominated for inclusion in Remarkable Trees of Virginia, a 2008 book by Nancy Ross Hugo. Although another oak was ultimately selected for that category, the nomination helped recognize this extraordinary tree and its place in Richmond’s landscape.
The tree was nominated by Robin Ruth, a longtime member and supporter of Friends of Forest Hill Park. Robin was deeply passionate about the natural world and spent countless hours helping care for Richmond’s parks. At Forest Hill Park, she was a dedicated volunteer who spent years removing English ivy and helping restore native habitat. She was also a founding member of the Reedy Creek Coalition and devoted considerable time to protecting and improving Crooked Branch, where the historic oak stands today.
As part of a citywide effort to commemorate the oak’s 250-year legacy, seedlings from the tree will be planted in each Richmond city district, including several of the city’s flagship parks. Forest Hill Park will be one of those special locations.
Michael Gee, Superintendent for Southern District Parks, is leading the effort. A seedling will be planted near the line of declining zelkovas by the sled hill, where it will have plenty of room to grow and become part of the park’s landscape for generations to come. The planting is expected to take place during the week of November 9.
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Come visit the Friends of Forest Hill Park tent at the 43rd Street Festival of the Arts this Saturday! We’ll be on the GSES blacktop with historical photos, information about the park, and a children’s art project!
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Historic Forest Hill Walking Tours:
- Saturday, September 19th at 10:00 (meet at 9:45 am)
- Saturday, October 17th at 10:00 (meet at 9:45 am)
Join local historian Matt Zipperer for a 2-hour walking tour of the Forest Hill Historic District. Learn about historic figures, development of the area, the amusement park, architectural styles and more.
Meet on the south side of the Stone House inside of Forest Hill Park.
The cost is $15/individual or $20/household or become a member and the tour is free! Pay by cash or check upon arrival, or you can pay ahead through Venmo @FriendsfForestHillPark or PayPal.
Habitat Restoration Volunteer Opportunities:
- Saturday, September 26th from 10-12
- Saturday, October 24th from 10-12
- Saturday, November 21st from 10-12
Want to get your hands dirty and help Forest Hill Park thrive? Join us for native habitat restoration days! For more information and to sign up, visit the CFEngage website HERE.
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Save the Date for the Halloween Howl!
Saturday, October 17th
| | Kroger Community Rewards: Support Friends of Forest Hill Park | | |
Did you know your everyday Kroger purchases can help support Friends of Forest Hill Park at no extra cost to you? Through Kroger Community Rewards, a percentage of your eligible purchases is donated to the local nonprofit you choose (us!). It’s free to participate and won’t affect your fuel points or digital discounts.
It’s easy to sign up by clicking below. Once you’re enrolled, your everyday grocery shopping can help support the park.
| | Contact us via e-mail: info@friendsofforesthillpark.org | |
Friends of Forest Hill Park Board Members
Crystal Greenwood, Co-President
Christie Owens, Co-President
Laura Bradlee, Secretary
Faye Ferguson, Treasurer
Rosemary Bourne
Chris Catanzaro
Elizabeth Coleman
Mary Godsey
Suzette Lyon
Carolyn Paulette
Matt Zipperer
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