RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Councilman Samuels congratulates Maymont for being chosen as one of the Top 10 Great Public Spaces in America for 2011
Announced today by the American Planning Association
WHAT The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, North Central 2nd District, congratulates Maymont being chosen by the American Planning Association as one of the Top 10 Great Public Spaces in America for 2011. Announced today, Maymont was selected as a role model of good planning for all communities throughout the United States of America.
Winners of the Top 10 Great Public Spaces in America for 2011 (which were not individually ranked), include the following:
• Richmond, Virginia - Maymont
• Riverside, California - Fairmount Park
• Colorado Springs, Colorado - Garden of the Gods Park
• Indianapolis, Indiana - Monument Circle
• Des Moines, Iowa - Gray's Lake Park
• St. Paul, Minnesota - Rice Park
• Nashville, Tennessee - Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
• Dallas, Texas - Fair Park
• Tacoma, Washington - Point Defiance Park
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Milwaukee RiverWalk
Once a private estate, Maymont is a 100-acre public park that is owned by the citizens of the City of Richmond and managed by the Maymont Foundation. The estate includes beautifully landscaped grounds, walking trails, a nature center, children’s farm, Japanese and Italian Gardens, mansion, historic buildings, carriage collection, and wildlife exhibits. The Maymont property was given to Richmond citizens in 1925 following the posthumous wishes of owners, James and Sallie Dooley.
Established in 1975, the Maymont Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides for the management, promotion, operation and development of Maymont, as prescribed in a public-private partnership agreement and contract with the City of Richmond. Provided some funding from the City of Richmond, the Maymont Foundation raises the majority of the monies needed for the park from individual and business donations and grants.
Over the years, and under the management of the Maymont Foundation, Maymont has grown to be one of Richmond’s most celebrated and much-loved treasures. A recent example of Maymont‘s success includes it being selected by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works and Heritage Preservation for the 2011 Ross Merrill Award for Outstanding Commitment to Preservation and Care of Collections.
Councilman Samuels is a member of the Maymont Foundation Board of Directors. On July 26, 2011Richmond City Council and Mayor Dwight C. Jones recognized the Maymont Foundation and bestowed the Richmond Joint Community Service Award on it on behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and financial donors for making Maymont such a success and helping to make Richmond an even better place to live, love, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.
WHO The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, North Central 2nd District
CONTACT For more information, please contact Norman O. Burns II, Executive Director, Maymont Foundation, at 804.358.7166, ext. 323 (tel); and, nburns@maymont.org; and
Denny Johnson, American Planning Association, at 202.349.1006 (tel); or djohnson@planning.org (email); and,
The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, North Central 2nd District, at 804.646.6532 (tel); and, charles.samuels@richmondgov.com
Background _____________________________________________________________________
American Planning Association
The American Planning Association is a national nonprofit educational organization that provides leadership in the development of vital communities. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the art, science and profession of good planning -- physical, economic and social -- so as to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. Members of APA help create communities of lasting value and encourage civic leaders, business interests and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people's lives. APA has offices in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Ill. For more information, visit www.planning.org.
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Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
Office of the Chief of Staff
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
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MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.
VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.
