photo by Susan Rebillot
GPRA Committees
Join us in making a difference in our community by volunteering with the various neighborhood committees, and foster a stronger, more connected neighborhood. Whether you have a knack for organizing events, love working outdoors, or are passionate about city planning, there is a place for you to share your time, talent, and treasure. By getting involved, you not only contribute to the improvement of our community but also meet new friends and create lasting memories. Together, we can enhance the beauty, friendliness, and livability of our neighborhood. Get involved today and see the positive impact you can make!
Welcome
The Ginter Park Residents Association Welcome Team is led by Susie Burtch. Susie is always ready to meet, greet, and follow up with new residents of our neighborhood, and present them with a gift bag of goodies from local merchants. It’s our way of saying, "Welcome, we are glad that you chose to be are here!"
Help us in supporting and thanking the following local merchants who have generously contributed to our new-neighbor welcome bags. Click on the business names below to visit their websites.
Help us in supporting and thanking the following local merchants who have generously contributed to our new-neighbor welcome bags. Click on the business names below to visit their websites.
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Bates Orthodontics
3404 Hermitage Road 804-934-9292 Brookland Park Flowers & Gifts 214 W. Brookland Park Boulevard 804-223-2350 Buffalo Firefly 4025 MacArthur Ave. 804/214-7625 Central Virginia Waste Management Authority 2100 W. Laburnum Avenue; Suite 105 804-340-0900 Classic Touch Cleaning 1229 Bellevue Ave 804-262-6979 The Float Zone 2034 Dabney Road, Suite A 804-551-1413 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden 1800 Lakeside Avenue 804-262-9887 Northside Dental Company 3404 Hermitage Road 804-767-3410 |
Northside Family YMCA 4207 Old Brook Road 804-729-4591One Three Guitar 4021 MacArthur Ave 804-966-3038 Patient First 12 North Thompson Street 804-359-1337 2300 East Parham Road 804-264-7808 The Smoky Mug 15 E. Brookland Park Blvd 804-562-3722 Stir Crazy Café RVA 4015 MacArthur Avenue 804-864-0264 Up All Night Bakery 1221 Bellevue Ave 804-918-8722 ZouZou’s Basement 1500 Brook Road 804-928-6130 |
Beautification
Steve Welton
The Beautification Committee is led by Chair Steve Welton.
The Beautification Committee:
You can contact the team via email.
*The City Adopt-a-Tree Program has been on hold since the Summer-Winter 2023-24 cycle due to the dissolution of their funding partner, EnRichmond. Urban Forestry is reorganizing the program, and is expected to accept applications at an unspecified future date. Stay tuned for updates from our Tree Team.
The Beautification Committee:
- develops and implements projects to improve neighborhood common greenspaces and to enhance neighborhood identification and pride of place.
- maintains and improves 23 landscaped beds on Brook Road and two on Chamberlayne Avenue.
- supported homeowners on East and West Seminary Avenue to re-create their traffic islands, spring 2022.
- *completes the Annual Tree Survey and facilitates the neighborhood’s participation in the City of Richmond Adopt-a-Tree Program.
You can contact the team via email.
*The City Adopt-a-Tree Program has been on hold since the Summer-Winter 2023-24 cycle due to the dissolution of their funding partner, EnRichmond. Urban Forestry is reorganizing the program, and is expected to accept applications at an unspecified future date. Stay tuned for updates from our Tree Team.
Communications
The Communications Team consists of the Communications Chair, Website Manager, Advertising Manager, Newsletter Editor, Newsletter Designer, and Graphic Designer, at a minimum. The Committee is responsible for updating, creating, and monitoring communications with the membership, including social networking accounts and electronic discussion groups, as well as recommending new ways for the Association to communicate with its members and the community through alternative media.
Communications are consistent with GPRA Mission, Vision, and Values, and the Communication team strives to develop positive partnerships internally and with our community. Our goal is to provide robust communication within our association boundaries and between our association and other civic associations.
Communications Chair, VACANT
Website Manager, Ingrid Harding: email
Newsletter Editor, Anne Thorn: email
Newsletter Design and Technical Consultant, Jan Smoot: email
Communications are consistent with GPRA Mission, Vision, and Values, and the Communication team strives to develop positive partnerships internally and with our community. Our goal is to provide robust communication within our association boundaries and between our association and other civic associations.
Communications Chair, VACANT
Website Manager, Ingrid Harding: email
Newsletter Editor, Anne Thorn: email
Newsletter Design and Technical Consultant, Jan Smoot: email
District Representatives and Block CAptains
Ingrid Harding
District Representatives serve each district within the GPRA boundaries, and serve as a network of two-way communication between residents and the association Board and Committees. Think of them as our neighborhood switchboard! They serve critical connection and communication functions. Click here to view district/block list.
Ingrid Harding chairs the team of District Reps and Block Captains, and is a member of the Board of Directors.
The team of District Reps and Block Captains:
Ingrid Harding chairs the team of District Reps and Block Captains, and is a member of the Board of Directors.
The team of District Reps and Block Captains:
- communicates events, association initiatives, and other association business to residents;
- listens to requests, concerns and other communications from their districts, and communicates these to the Board and appropriate committees;
- builds positive partnerships with each other and with their neighbors, so that association communication is effective at the most neighborly level;
- recruits and trains Block Captains to expand our network.
Membership
Karen Bernhard
These are the cheerleaders of GPRA! The Membership Team works closely with the Communications Chair, the District Representatives Chair, and the Welcome Coordinator, at a minimum, to create and carry out Membership Campaigns, annual dues renewals, and to manage the Membership Directory. This team promotes:
Questions about Membership? Membership Chair is Karen Bernhard: email
- All Things Ginter Park!
- Engagement of residents.
- Enrollment of new Members.
- Enjoyment of joining association activities.
- Creating and communicating Member benefits.
Questions about Membership? Membership Chair is Karen Bernhard: email
Planning and Zoning
Stephen Weisensale
GPRA partners with the City of Richmond to represent our residents in development, redevelopment and zoning issues. The P & Z Chair understands the Richmond 300 Plan, develops positive relationships and communication with the City of Richmond PDR team, and attends relevant City meetings.
The Planning and Zoning Committee is responsible for:
Contact Planning and Zoning Chair, Stephen Weisensale: email
The Planning and Zoning Committee is responsible for:
- monitoring development, redevelopment, zoning, Special Use Permits activities, and their potential impact on the neighborhoods within the GPRA boundaries.
- arranging presentations of development or redevelopment proposals, SUP requests, or zoning changes, so that the Board may facilitate informing our residents.
- making a recommendation to the Board regarding an Association position regarding proposals.
Contact Planning and Zoning Chair, Stephen Weisensale: email
Public Safety and Traffic
Mary Ann Batsche
PUBLIC SAFETY
GPRA develops and maintains positive partnerships with the Richmond Police Department, 4th Precinct, and Richmond Fire Department leadership and officers in order to maintain good public safety in our neighborhood.
The Public Safety Chair, Mary Ann Batsche, is responsible for:
Contact Public Safety Chair via email.
TRAFFIC
Organized under Public Safety is the Traffic Committee. The Traffic Committee assesses traffic safety issues within the Association Area and collaborates with City of Richmond Traffic Engineering to generate potential solutions. This team looks at the neighborhood and traffic patterns and trends as a whole in order to avoid piecemeal solutions that shift problems from one avenue to another. We are currently looking for someone to lead this important team. Let us know if you can help. Reach out here.
GPRA develops and maintains positive partnerships with the Richmond Police Department, 4th Precinct, and Richmond Fire Department leadership and officers in order to maintain good public safety in our neighborhood.
The Public Safety Chair, Mary Ann Batsche, is responsible for:
- developing relationships and communication processes with RPD and RFD;
- keeping our residents informed about public safety issues and information;
- facilitating solutions to public safety concerns in our neighborhood.
Contact Public Safety Chair via email.
TRAFFIC
Organized under Public Safety is the Traffic Committee. The Traffic Committee assesses traffic safety issues within the Association Area and collaborates with City of Richmond Traffic Engineering to generate potential solutions. This team looks at the neighborhood and traffic patterns and trends as a whole in order to avoid piecemeal solutions that shift problems from one avenue to another. We are currently looking for someone to lead this important team. Let us know if you can help. Reach out here.
Social Events
Candace Blydenburgh |
Prudence Justis |
The Social Events Committee is the engine that drives festive social events for the association. The Co-Chairs, Prudence Justis and Candace Blydenburgh, along with committee members create, plan, host, and work at social gatherings throughout the year. Porch Parties, Annual Picnics, Cinco de Mayo, Ice Cream Socials, the Annual Meeting and Chili Cook-Off, and the members Holiday /Mardi Gras party- it’s all about bringing neighbors together for social connections, for building a sense of community, and for fun.
Co-Chairs, Prudence Justis and Candace Blydenburgh are seeking team members. If you are creative, an “ideas person,” love event planning, have good communication and organizational skills, or just love working in teams, then this is the group for you!
Contact Prudence or Candace via email.
Co-Chairs, Prudence Justis and Candace Blydenburgh are seeking team members. If you are creative, an “ideas person,” love event planning, have good communication and organizational skills, or just love working in teams, then this is the group for you!
Contact Prudence or Candace via email.