Park Makeover Magic: How One Nonprofit is Turning Urban Blight into Playground Paradise

Photo by Tom Shakir on Unsplash
Urban renewal isn’t just about fancy condos and trendy coffee shops - sometimes it’s about creating spaces where kids can actually play and communities can breathe.
The Iron Triangle’s Green Revolution
In Richmond’s historically underserved Iron Triangle neighborhood, Pogo Park is proving that thoughtful design can transform blighted urban spaces into vibrant community hubs. Their latest project, Harbour-8 Park, is a 1.5-acre testament to what happens when passionate locals take urban planning into their own hands.
Community-Driven Transformation
Executive Director Toody Maher and her team aren’t just building a playground - they’re crafting a lifeline for local children. Every inch of Harbour-8 Park has been meticulously designed with community input, ensuring the space isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, but deeply meaningful to residents.
Beyond Concrete and Grass
This isn’t just about adding green space. It’s about creating safe, beautiful environments that signal to children and families that they are valued, that their neighborhood matters. In a city often overlooked, Pogo Park is writing a radical love letter to Richmond’s future, one carefully placed swing and thoughtfully designed play area at a time.
AUTHOR: kg
SOURCE: The Mercury News