Inside Richmond: The City's Pulse

Episode 15 - Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse | Building Community Through Parks & Recreation

• Kevin Shook • Episode 15

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🎙️ On this episode of Inside Richmond: The City’s Pulse, host Lindsay Darnell welcomed Kristi Cruise, Community Recreation Coordinator, and Stephany Plantz, Special Projects and Community Engagement Coordinator, to share all the exciting things happening at Richmond Parks and Recreation.

🌳 Green spaces aren’t just places we visit – they’re where community happens. Richmond Parks and Recreation nurtures over 20 parks, trails, gardens, and community centers that serve as gathering places for everyone in our city. Nearly all events are completely free, removing financial barriers so families can enjoy quality time together.

🍂 Fall is packed with activities – from the 200+ member Walking Club and the Industrial Softball League tournament, to “Fall in Love with Middlefork” on September 27th (a free DNR fishing day with kayaking, yoga, and more). October brings Halloween fun with the Howloween Pet Costume Contest (Oct 11) and Trick-or-Treat in the Park (Oct 25), complete with a sensory-friendly hour.

🥕 The Richmond Farmers Market continues at Elstro Plaza through October before moving indoors to the historic Starr-Gennett Building for winter. Plus, special events like Market in the Moonlight at Glen Miller Park add even more ways to connect with local vendors. With doubled SNAP benefits, matched WIC benefits, and the Farm to Pantry program, the market also plays a vital role in food security for our community.

💡 Beyond events, our parks provide daily spaces for exercise, relaxation, and connection with nature – free resources that strengthen community wellbeing year-round.

👉 Learn more and get involved:

Come experience the difference parks make in building a stronger, more connected Richmond!

Speaker 1:

Welcome back to another episode of Inside Richmond, the City's Pulse. I'm Lindsay Darnell, your host, and today I have Christy Cruz, our Community Recreation Coordinator, and Stephanie Plants, our Special Projects and Community Engagement Coordinator with the Richmond Parks Department. Guys, thank you for joining me.

Speaker 2:

Thanks for having us that was a mouthful, your title.

Speaker 3:

They're so long they are.

Speaker 1:

So I wanted to get you guys on to kind of talk about a little bit of what the Parks Department has going on this fall. We're almost to fall, we have fall weather, but the events that's going on, so we'll talk about that. But first I wanted to ask you a couple of questions. So, christy, I'll start with you. How long have you been with the Parks Department?

Speaker 3:

Total four years. I started off part time just helping out with the Richmond Farmers Market and then I stepped into the community recreation role two years ago this October.

Speaker 1:

Can you explain to us a little bit about your role?

Speaker 3:

now. Yeah. So now I handle all of the community events for the parks departments. That's everything from our Juco camp that we run every summer through all of the events you find in the park um trick or treat in the park, our egg hunt, um the movies in the park in the throughout the summer, all of the summer events, our industrial softball league. So I stay pretty busy during the summer. All of the summer events, our industrial softball league. So I stay pretty busy during the summer. But we have a lot still coming up in the fall and then sprinkled in there. I also um help with the the richmond farmers market. So basically all things community events from the parks department are are coming through my office and there are a lot of events and I don't think a lot of the public knows about everyone.

Speaker 1:

They might know about some, so that's really why I wanted to get you guys on here to talk about it. Yeah, so can you tell me one reason why you work for the Parks Department, or your love for parks?

Speaker 3:

Yeah. So I grew up here, I graduated from Centerville High School and moved away for quite a few years. I did a lot of corporate event planning during that time, moved around, lived in a lot of big cities, lived in Indianapolis mostly. Also lived in Chicago for a few years. Covid is what brought me back to Richmond, my family's here, and so obviously there were no events being planned during that time. So I kind of had to take a little bit of a career shift, but it brought me back to Richmond and I really wanted to be able to bring that experience back here.

Speaker 3:

My reason for doing what I do is we we love to provide um entertainment and a safe place for our community to come out. And what a lot of people don't realize is that 99% of the events we do are free to the community. We don't want to create a financial burden for people to be able to come out and have something fun to do, whether it be an evening or a weekend. So that's really why I do what I do is just being able to bring something fun, something to look forward to, something that families can come out and enjoy, and that's kind of my favorite thing is just standing back once the event's all done and the stress is done and everything's in place, just having that moment to stand back and just see people enjoy, you know, the event that you've put together.

Speaker 1:

So, stephanie, let's talk about your position. How long have you been in your position?

Speaker 2:

I've been in the community engagement position for about two months now. I have been involved in Richmond Parks and Rec for about two and a half years Prior. I taught yoga at the Senior Rec Center as well as going to school for social work, which led me to this position, as I created my internship there, did a lot of programming and community outreach and the timing was right and I just landed here.

Speaker 1:

That's awesome, so I know you had some things that you wanted to talk about before we get into the event, so I'm going to give the floor to you and let's talk about the green spaces, why they're important.

Speaker 2:

Sure. So Richmond Parks and Rec has been part of the community for generations and it really creates a space that everybody can enjoy. And we care for over 20 parks and green spaces, along with trails, gardens and community centers, so we're not just serving a group of people, we're serving the entire community. And, just to go off what Christy was saying again, these are free and low-cost events that are accessible to everybody. So it's really important that we think of parks not only as green spaces, but as a community hub to bring people together as well Not only residents, but our organizations and community partners as well.

Speaker 1:

So what type of events do you guys have going on now for the Parks Department?

Speaker 3:

So right now we're gearing up for our fall events. I couldn't be more excited that the temperatures have taken a turn. It was a very hot summer outdoors and we spent a lot of time outside, so. But there's still a lot going on, and through the end of September we still have our walking club. That takes place every Thursday and that is free, and even if you haven't registered yet, you can still get registered for walking club. We always give out a free t-shirt on the 10th walk. I think you would actually still have time to get your free t-shirt in.

Speaker 3:

We do a monthly raffle drawing, so every time you come to walking club you get interned into the raffle. If you bring a friend, you get an extra entry. We have over 200 people registered for walking club this year. It's been an amazing turnout, um, so that's still going on. So we still have two raffle giveaways. We have one actually tonight and then we'll have another one at the end of september. For our final giveaway, our industrial softball league is wrapping up. We're actually in our tournament series right now, so that will be going on at clear creek park, um, through at least the next two weeks. If the weather holds out, our championship game should be tuesday, september the 9th, um. So we're a double elimination tournament going on there. So it's really fun to come out and see some of those local entities competing for that top prize.

Speaker 3:

And we also have coming up at the end of September, something we're really excited about called Fall in Love with Middle Fork, and this is going to be. It's been called Middle Fork Nature Day in the past, but we've shifted dates a little bit. We used to do it earlier in the summer middle fork nature day in the past, but we've shifted dates a little bit. We used to do it earlier in the summer. This year we are pushing it to september 27th, which is also the excuse me the last free dnr fishing day for the year, so you can actually come out and fish with. No, you don't have to pay the licensing and permit fees that day.

Speaker 3:

But we've got a lot of extra activities planned around it. We're planning a catch and release derby for the kids to come out. We will actually have someone there teaching the kids how to fish. If they've never fished before, they just want to get a tip from a really uh, really talented fisher person. Um, what else do we have, stephanie? There's a lot going on that day. We've got a lot playing for the bark park. I know Well we do have a 30 minute yoga session.

Speaker 3:

We do have a 30 minute yoga session that our friend Stephanie here will be leading.

Speaker 2:

So our partner Hills who generously sponsors our park. There we'll also be giving out some things, some goodies. Um, we'll have help the animals out there. We'll have a few other pet friendly vendors. So I think we're really just highlighting every aspect of middle Fork which is really important. Because you know, you hear Middle Fork Reservoir and it's, you know, you think of just the reservoir, but it's really so much more than that. So I'm excited.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, we are. Our goal is to kind of feature each thing that you can go out there and do at Middle Fork. There will be discounted boat rentals. We've got paddle boat and kayak rentals out there, so we'll be doing discounts on those as well as giving away probably about 10, I think is is the goal. We're going to give away 10 free boat rentals for that weekend. Um, we're working on some partnerships to try to maybe have some raffle baskets available. We'll have food. Um, music games. Um, some of our JUCO staff is going to come back and help create a fun obstacle course out at the playground. So it's just going to be a really fun day to come out and enjoy a day in the park and it's all free and that and other than the additional boat rentals which will be discounted, um and I think there's.

Speaker 2:

there's something for everybody that day, which is great, yeah, for sure.

Speaker 1:

And I don't believe a lot of people realize that you guys have kayak rentals at Middle Fork Reservoir. A lot of people are usually going down to Liberty or Brookville, yeah, so I I had been wanting to kind of talk about that too. What do you know, the rates of the rentals of the kayak?

Speaker 3:

I don't write offhand. You could definitely give the Middle Fork Service Center a call and I know that I do believe the kayaks are just one person kayaks, but the paddle boats will seat four people.

Speaker 1:

So if you have a family that you want to take out there, maybe some younger kids, then the paddle boat might be a fun option too.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, I've never been kayaking, but that is one thing on my bucket list that I would love to try.

Speaker 2:

I know I've been you haven't, I haven't, it's so fun. And I will say that still water is a little less intimidating than getting out on a river for the first time. So it's going to be a good starting point if you haven't kayaked before, and with the discounted rates, it's yeah, it's a good opportunity, yeah for sure.

Speaker 3:

We'll be pushing out a lot of information on our Facebook page and through different promotions on that in the next couple of weeks. We're just still kind of pulling together, um, all of our plans because we just it's like every day we come up with something new that we can try to do out there but it's going to be a really fun day.

Speaker 3:

Um, so that's kind of September, um, our, and we'll talk farmer's market here in a little bit. But as far as park events go, events go, um, then we'll be coming up on october and october is just jam-packed with um, halloween and fall events. So we have our howloween pet costume contest, which is always an amazing turnout on saturday, october 11th. So that is again out at the hills bark park at middle fork reservoir. We have it is a pet costume contest, so we have different categories they can enter into. You can dress up with your pet and do a little duo costume. I think we do like a scary theme, we do funny, we do different categories and then we have special guest judges come out and judge that for prizes. It's a super fun day.

Speaker 3:

And then we'll be planning for trick-or-treat in the park, which is going to be on Saturday, october 25th. So that's always the Saturday before Halloween, so typically does not conflict with neighborhood trick-or-treat nights, but last year we had over 25 local organizations that came out and helped us pass out candy. We will be doing our sensory friendly hour again. So the hour before a trick or treat opens we open up a little more low key, not the loud music and sound effects and everything that can be going on. Costumes are optional. You know, if some kids have sensory processing difficulties, sometimes the costumes can be a little overwhelming. They don't have to wear a costume and our organizations also hand out sensory friendly candies and fidgets and that sort of thing. So we'll definitely be doing that again.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I think that's great that you guys offer that. You know, I didn't realize that until after I started working for the city and I was like that's really neat that you guys are considering and including everyone that might not be able to come when there's such a large crowd and loud music, or sure we?

Speaker 3:

we had a lot of people come to us last year. Last year was the first year we did the sensory friendly hour, but we even had parents come to us and that said my kids would be fine coming to the the next, you know the later one, but I'm not okay coming to that one, and so they appreciated even just having a little bit of a quieter time to be able to bring their kids out, rather than their kids missing out on that experience.

Speaker 3:

We also incorporated a sensory friendly area into our egg hunt this past year, so just a separate area where the kids could kind of go at their own pace. They weren't in the midst of the big crowd and the sirens and the horns and everything. And because that can be a lot, it can be a lot for us, you know, and so you think about it for a little one, it's been a really cool thing and we just want to make sure that we're promoting inclusive activities for everybody to be able to come out and enjoy. So that kind of takes us through the end of October, but we don't stop. In November we participate in the Veterans Day Parade, we still have some farmers market events going on, and then in December we'll be ramping up for our Rosemary Weigel Frostbite 5K, which is our annual 5K that we participate in through the Wayne County Challenge and our Celebration of Lights. So that'll all be the first weekend of December, on the 6th.

Speaker 1:

Now and I want to make it, you know, known that everyone can find out this information on your guys's Facebook page. You guys also have a newsletter, so how does people get signed up for your newsletter?

Speaker 3:

Yeah, so there's a link on our Facebook page If you want to get signed up for our weekly newsletter. We also print every year a recreation guide, which is basically a newspaper print of all of the activities and events that we have coming up. We still have copies of those available in the park office. You're welcome. People are welcome to come by during normal business hours, eight to five, Monday through Friday, and pick up a recreation guide. We always have those available at the farmer's market and at all of the events that Stephanie participates in. So really, um, lots of different ways to find this information. You can go on the Facebook page. We're always promoting our events there. Uh, sign up for the newsletter and also get a copy of the recreation guide.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, so um, I actually pick one up every year from you guys. There is so much information, but yes, the whole year.

Speaker 3:

I mean you can see everything, everything and it's everything, like you were asking about, boat rental pricing and everything that's listed in there. There's information on the pool when it's open, the senior recreation center, which is just a hidden gem of the city, and it's for anyone age 50 and up, so that can you know. They've got fitness classes.

Speaker 2:

I mean, stephanie could probably speak on the recreation center they have endless programming and I think a lot of people when they hear senior recreation center they think the old folks home Right, and that's really not it.

Speaker 3:

It is a vibrant space. It is, it's wonderful.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and then, and also any events that I'm at, I am out there promoting these events, telling people about them, handing out the rec guides we have. Through the end of this month I'm going to Overdose Awareness Day at First United. We've got the Primex Health Fair September 16th, wayne County Chamber of Commerce Career Fair, math Night at Elstro, veterans Resource fair, special olympics poll.

Speaker 3:

so we're we're, we're out there in the community making sure that this information gets out as well, and also, people have questions, or they just want to come up and talk about the parks or, you know, they want to think about renting one of our great cabins or shelters for an upcoming event. Um, we're always there to answer their questions.

Speaker 2:

Or even partnering with vendors as well or organizations.

Speaker 1:

I was going to say I actually just rented the golf course clubhouse for my son's birthday party. It was great. It was so easy. Amber in the parks office was amazing with information. Every question I had. You know she was quick to answer yeah. But it was such a great location and we were talking about it like we're going to rent this again and we're actually thinking about having a little Halloween party for the kids in October. So I'll be contacting you guys again for that.

Speaker 3:

It is such a we have people who, uh, families who rent, you know, different spaces every year, even for their Thanksgiving get togethers, their holiday get togethers. What better? You don't have to clean your house. I mean, it's an affordable and accessible space. Yeah, it's a big space. We provide all the tables and chairs in those spaces, so it's so much less to think about than trying to do it in your own home.

Speaker 1:

It was. I will say that every birthday party that we have had since my son was born has always been at our house, and to actually have it somewhere else this year it was so easy. It was clean and ready to go. I just put the tables where I wanted them in the chairs. It had a fridge there, it had a stove there, a big kitchen area, and it was just so easy. I could just put my decorations out, get all the food, the cookies, the cupcakes and set it all up and then, at the end, easy cleanup right yeah, absolutely so definitely.

Speaker 1:

I would recommend to everybody.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, don't sleep on it, it's still such a great option.

Speaker 1:

So let's go into. I know you were talking about parks events you go through. You already went through all of December. Let's talk about the farmer's market events Specifically. I want to I know that you know summer's coming to an end and fall for winter's farmer market, farmer's market. You guys move, so I want to talk about the events for the farmer's market. Farmers market you guys move, so I want to talk about um, the events for the farmers market. When will you guys be moving down to the star genet building?

Speaker 3:

yeah. So the the richmond farmers market is a year-round farmers market, um, so we don't stop, even though the weather turns a little bit colder. Um, so we will continue down at Elstro Plaza through the end of October. Um, we still have a ton of fresh produce coming in. Um, lots of vegetables, sweet corn, tomatoes. All that good stuff from the summer is still rolling in. We're averaging 45 to 50 vendors every Saturday. So we're proud to be the largest farmer's market in Wayne County and we're always coming up with special fun themes.

Speaker 3:

We just did a really fun night on this past Tuesday. So our Tuesday Twilight Market. I know a lot of people are always curious about that too. We'll continue through the end of September, also at Elstro Plaza. Those are every Tuesday night from 4 to 7 pm. So that's just an additional opportunity to come out and shop with local vendors. We usually have live music, a couple of food trucks out there on Tuesday nights. So it's a very different. If you've never checked it out. It's a different vibe from Saturday Very laid back. The vendors love it. They actually can, you know, kind of take more time to talk to people and get to know them. But this past Tuesday Tuesday we did a really fun.

Speaker 2:

It was national dog day national dog day, so that was really fun to see all the people come out with their dogs Um yeah, and we had some partners there Hills, uh, pet nutrition was there.

Speaker 3:

We had wagon bag there, which is a local company, uh, help the animals was there with a couple of their adoptable dogs. Bark's Treats Bark's Treats was there handing out Pup-sicles. So we have a couple of pet treat vendors that attend on a regular basis, that make all-natural pet treats. So it was a really cool way to kind of pull all that together.

Speaker 2:

It was great seeing people interact with each other too, and the dogs interacting. I actually had an older gentleman come up to me and he was telling me that his dog had just passed and that this was really helpful for him to be able to come engage with other people, other animals. So it was, it was a really good night, it was a really good time, and I think it served a lot of different people for different purposes.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, it was really fun, so, um. But so back to your question. So we are still down at Elstro Plaza every Saturday from 9am until noon through the end of October, and then we immediately shift over to the Stargenette building, uh, the first weekend of November, and we'll be down there through the end of April and then we do it all over again. So, um, but the farmer's market is open every Saturday. Um, the only Saturdays we close are the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Saturday after Christmas and the Saturday after New Year's, just to give our vendors and staff a little bit of a break over the holidays. And plus, we know people are pretty more, you know, staying at home on those weekends and ready for some R&R too. So at the farmer's market those specifically we've got more special events coming up.

Speaker 3:

On Tuesday, september the 9th, we're doing a sock hop and shop market, so it's going to be a fifties theme, so that's going to be really fun. And then on Saturday, october 18th, is our annual harvest festival. So we're looking at some really cool partnerships for that. We've been having lots of meetings figuring out everything that we're planning for that day. But that'll be a normal farmer's market Again, probably somewhere 45 to 50 vendors out there, but we usually have some additional kid and family friendly activities, craft activities, interactive games, scavenger hunts, photo booths, popcorn there's a lot still to come on that.

Speaker 3:

And then on Tuesday, october 21st, we'll be doing our Market in the Moonlight pop-up market again. That was something we started last year, so that's at Glenmiller Park. We do what we call pop-up markets, where the vendors like to get out and go to somewhere new, somewhere different, maybe hit a different neighborhood or area. But the Market in the Moonlight is really cool. We light the Glenmiller Park pond on fire, we have live music, food trucks again, so it's a really fun night. So make sure you're putting that on your calendars, do we literally?

Speaker 2:

yeah, light it on fire, yeah, the whole thing.

Speaker 3:

Oh, that's cool, they're fire pits, okay I was gonna say I was there.

Speaker 1:

I want to say maybe it was the end of last year I we came and brought my youngest son and the fire department was there. They had cornhole the s'more stations, the s'more stations. Now the children did have to answer a question about fire safety to get the s'more. Yeah, nice, and my youngest was four at the time and so he was kind of like I don't know the answer to this. I had to kind of whisper it into his ear. But it was fun, the live music it, and it was really packed.

Speaker 3:

I was very surprised of how packed it was, but it was just a fun vibe just fun and, yeah, we'll usually have big yard games set up, you know, maybe a craft activity, um, and it's just another fun, another fun thing to come out and join. You don't have to spend money to come enjoy these things, um, and I think that's one thing that I I hate hearing is when someone says I there was nothing to do this weekend or I couldn't find anything to go to. It's like there's so much to go to you just have to get out and and and find this information. Come out, enjoy these events and don't feel like you have to spend a ton of money to do that. Come play in the park, come just enjoy, walk around, enjoy the scenery. You know, if you want to spend a little money and purchase something, you can, but it's not required.

Speaker 1:

There's no entry fees.

Speaker 3:

There's nothing that's required.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, and that's what we did when we came. We walked around, checked out the vendors, uh, and then we went and played on the playground and then, after my son was done playing on, the playground.

Speaker 3:

We went home.

Speaker 3:

It was just something to get out of the house and do and walk around, get some fresh air, enjoy, enjoy the resources that the city has to offer. Yeah, absolutely so. I could go on and on. I mean we just we have events and special dates planned until you know the end of time, but those are kind of the big heavy hitters through the end of October. In December, the farmer's market always hosts a holiday market, which is really fun. We have Santa Claus come out and the kids can visit with Santa. That is going to be on December 20th, but just plan on, you know, supporting these local vendors, the farmers.

Speaker 3:

Our farmers market is really unique in that we are what we call a growers and producers only market. So every vendor that you purchase from has either grown or handmade the product that you're buying. There's no resale, there's no consignment, so you're getting true local products when you come to the Richmond Farmers Market, things that they've put their heart and souls into Local farmers, local baked good vendors that I know Kevin was just talking about. He just made a big order and is excited to support local and we appreciate that it's so important, especially these days, and we want to support their dreams and they're so talented. They're so talented Once you start buying some of these products, the homemade breads and the cookies, and getting farm-fresh eggs and the homemade jams and jellies and and local honey. It's hard to go back. I have a. Really I struggle in the winter on eating vegetables from the grocery store because the flavor is so different when you buy them in the you know the heat of summer. From these local farmers it's totally different.

Speaker 2:

It's nice seeing the face of where you're getting it from too, and hearing the stories and meeting the families and really getting to know the people in your community as well.

Speaker 3:

Where are the?

Speaker 3:

products coming from and teaching them what it's like to be a small business owner and teaching them about, you know, customer service and answering the questions. And, um, one of the kids there a couple of weeks ago his dad is, uh, grows potatoes and he was so excited to tell me that they had a customer who came up and bought 50 pounds of potatoes and he was telling me how he had to help them wheel it out to their car and load it up. But his eyes were just like sparkling. He was so excited about it. It's really cool to see that generational support that they get and you know, you know low key, what they're doing. They're teaching their kids how to take over that business, but it's really cool to see.

Speaker 1:

So something I want to talk about that's very important I know we kind of hit this when I had Hannah on earlier in the summer is um you guys accept EBT. Well, I think some vendors do, but you guys um will double EBT dollars, absolutely so.

Speaker 3:

Thanks to our partnership with Reed community health, we have a program that doubles snap dollars. So if you have a snap EBT card, you can come to the market booth at any time during the market hours. We'll swipe your card for whatever dollar amount you want to take off the card, whether it's $5 or, you know, $200 or even higher. There's no limit to this no minimum, no maximum and then we'll double that amount. So if you take $5 off, we'll give you $10 to spend. If you take $200 off, we'll give you $400 to spend with our local vendors. Really all of our food and farm vendors will accept the snap tokens. They are tokens that can only be spent at the Richmond Farmer's Market, but they don't expire. So if you don't spend everything in one day, you can always bring it back the next time, save it for the winter. You know they're not going to expire.

Speaker 3:

And we also have a WIC matching program that a lot of people don't know about. So if you get WIC benefits, come see us. All we need you to do is pull up your app. We don't touch anything on the app. You'll still have all of those benefits to go spend at the grocery store, but we'll double it. So if you get two loaves of bread from WIC, we'll give you vouchers for two loaves of bread that you can go purchase from one of our WIC participating vendors.

Speaker 1:

You know, I did not know that, so that's very interesting, because I utilized WIC when my oldest was younger. I wish you guys had that back then.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, it's a newer program, so that's going to be good, for eggs, bread and produce are the items that we can match. We don't have the peanut butter and some of the other things that WIC provides, but we love it and people are really loving being able to take advantage of that, because it literally doubles their benefit and feeds more mouths.

Speaker 1:

That's amazing. Yeah, that is amazing.

Speaker 3:

I'm glad that you mentioned that so we could get that out there and our market coordinator Hannah has worked really hard this year on a new program called Farm to Pantry, and what we're doing is purchasing leftover food from our farm vendors to put in local food pantries that then local families can go pick up. It's been wildly successful this year. So she sets it up with them. If they have leftover items that they know they're not going to be able to sell at the end of the market, we actually purchase that from them again thanks to our partnerships, and then we donate that food to the local food bank. So, um, again, just just trying to reach out and solve the hunger problem and help people in their times of need.

Speaker 1:

That's great. I'm glad that you guys are able to do that. So I know the farmer's market has their own Facebook page, but you guys kind of run both of them.

Speaker 3:

We do, yeah, so the Richmond farmer's market has Facebook and Instagram so you can follow us there again. You can always come ask us questions at the market shed. We've got a ton of information. We'll usually have little flyers printed out for all of our upcoming events. If you have questions on the SNAP or WIC programs, just questions in general about the farmer's market, how you can get involved, how you can become a vendor We've gotten a lot of questions about that. We will have our winter applications open. I believe the plan is by the first week of September If you're interested in applying to be a vendor for the winter market we're there, we can always answer your questions, or at the park office also.

Speaker 1:

So I will say the Winters Farmers Market, it's magical when you walk in there.

Speaker 3:

It's such a cool building the Star Jeanette building is, oh my gosh, it's gorgeous down there. If you've never been down there for an event, it's just. It's such a cool spot it is.

Speaker 1:

I know when I walked in the first time for the winter's farmers market I was like it kind of looked like something out of a tv show. You know how they have events or festivals at a tv show.

Speaker 3:

That's what it reminded me of when I first walked in, you almost expect to see like little flakes of snow.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, um, so I I want to say again make sure that you guys are following the richmond parks department's facebook page, social media, sign up for their email newsletter, stop in and get a recreation guide from them. Is there anything else that you guys want to talk about and let the community know about all of the great things that you guys do for our community.

Speaker 3:

Well, thank you. Volunteering is all we were always looking for volunteers to help out, so if that's something you're interested in, you can call the park office and we'll get you in contact with our volunteer coordinator.

Speaker 1:

Talking about volunteering, September 6, I saw you guys have another cleanup day.

Speaker 2:

Yes.

Speaker 3:

So, that's our floral and beautification team, so if you're interested in volunteering for that, we can get you in contact with Brandon, who heads up all of the cleanup efforts.

Speaker 2:

And I would also add if anybody, any organization, any business is interested in what we can do as parks, or if you have any ideas, if you have any ways that you think that we can partner together, absolutely reach out. Do not hesitate. That is what we're here for. We love partnering, we love coming together to make the community stronger. So, if there are any inquiries, feel free to email me directly. You can call me directly, but, as always, we're happy to help. You can call the parks office as well.

Speaker 1:

And something that I want to really close out. This is parks is a quality of place, quality of life as well. There's always something about nature. You know, if you're just feeling down, get out, take a walk through one of the trails, walk around the pond at Glen Miller Park and just kind of relax and just don't think about anything. Just take it all in and it's really going to help you.

Speaker 3:

Absolutely. We feel really lucky when we're having a long day or a busy week that we can just go out and sit by the pond for a few minutes or go, you know, watch the kids play on the playground and just kind of take a deep breath. And I think it's one of those local resources that, because it's always been there, it's. It's kind of like pro and con.

Speaker 3:

People know it's there but at the same time, when people always know it's there, they tend to forget that it's there or they tend to forget that that is something that's available to them, you know, for multiple reasons If you want to get out and exercise, if you want to get out and just take in some fresh air or go fishing or any of that. You know, these are all simple things that I think, as a society, we've gotten away from, because we've become so digitalized that it feels good sometimes just to get back to nature.

Speaker 1:

It does. And I will say I was actually surprised when we I was at the golf course clubhouse setting up for my son's birthday party, um how many people were coming down there, stopping and taking walks on the golf cart trail Absolutely. And then also they were. I know it's not a golf course still, but you still have um people still come out.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, they can still come out and use it as a practice. You know putting green, um, we also have Highland Lake golf course. That is still a fully functional golf course. So if you're looking to actually play, you know around. Um, I would definitely look into into them. But yeah, it's just there. Come out and get a little stress relief and take in, especially now that the weather has eased up on us a little bit. Get out and enjoy it. We all say we don't get much fall. We've got fall right now and you should be outside enjoying it. Exactly, yeah.

Speaker 1:

Guys, I want to thank you so much for joining me, letting the community know about all of the events that's going on with the Parks Department and Farmers Market, which they are together but they're kind of separate, right yeah, the.

Speaker 3:

Richmond Farmers Market does operate, obviously, under the Parks Department and under the City of Richmond. Again, we're very lucky to have that partnership and we know that that's what's helped us grow so much we love it though.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, so if you've never been to the farmer's market, make sure to come and check it out on saturday from 9 to 12, and then definitely look up all of the events that are upcoming middle fork reservoir, dnr's free fishing day. Learn how to fish if you don't know how to fish, and then, rent a kayak or a row boat.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, bring the pups out. Enjoy the bark park. Yeah, there's just. There's so many things, so many things to get out and do okay, thank you so much guys, thank you that's it for this episode.

Speaker 1:

Make sure to join me next time on inside richmond, the city's plus.