Peter Paul Development Center and Playground Enhancement
Submitted by the Boxwood Garden Club
In the heart of the East End of Richmond, in the midst of Richmond’s four public housing communities, lies Peter Paul Development Center. This community center acts as a bastion of hope for the youth of one of the most underserved populations in the area. In 2018, the Boxwood Garden Club’s membership voted unanimously to partner with Peter Paul Development Center to create a garden space in the vacant lot adjacent to the center. More than 70% of the club’s membership has donated to this project to transform the vacant lot into a playground and green space for the community’s children. Boxwood’s plan is to plant trees for shade, natives along the property border and throughout the green space and playground. The addition of synthetic turf is planned for inside the playground, would aiding in conservation goals by reducing water and chemicals. The goal is to provide a cherished spot where children and families can interact with a simple and beautiful green space and to become an educational resource to the students attending the center. A Common Wealth Award will ensure completion of this much needed improvement to a community in need, while supporting GCV’s mission of supporting natural and native green space in Virginia. “Peter Paul is an outreach and community center serving Richmond’s East End. Founded in 1979, it is the oldest community-based agency continually serving East End children and families. We live our promise and programming through our purpose statement—Educate the Child, Engage the Family, and Empower the Community.”
Pictured are the Boxwood Garden Club President Nella Timmons, GCV President Jean Gilpin and GCV First Vice President Missy Buckingham (The Boxwood Garden Club)
