The Bainbridge and Blackwell neighborhoods in Richmond have long dealt with social problems including high unemployment, high welfare rolls, illegitimate birth rates, crowded housing, and crime.  Local citizens pointed out that one of the problems is the tendency for youth to be unrealistic and unmotivated about improving life and the community.  A report was done and one recommendation was that physical activities and sports should be emphasized, with much one-to-one contact between neighborhood children and trained adults, who will introduce structure into the children’s lives in palatable ways.  The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation viewed this as an excellent opportunity to help build a supportive community and provide a safe place for the youth to play and learn.

The current plan is to build be a state-of-the art facility, which would be designed to be attractive, safe, fun, educational, and stimulating, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond.  $1,000,000 is needed to begin construction the ball field and to fund the initial programming at the site

Campaign Co-Chairs
Richard J. November, President, Continental Development Corporation
R.L. Terrell Williams, Vice President, BB&T Insurance Services, Inc.

Youth Development Park Components:

It will be a multiuse field that will host not only the Ripken Foundation’s programs, but also other events such as flag football and soccer.

The complex will be designed to host family and community outings.

The facility will offer many features to encourage and support daily physical fitness activities for the entire community including a running track and 12 exercise stations.

It will be located at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond; on the border of the Bainbridge and Blackwell neighborhoods.

When the park is completed, it will provide the proper environment within the Bainbridge/ Blackwell community for the Ripken Foundation program to begin changing young lives in the Richmond inner city.

To make a donation, click here, or contact Carrie LeBow, Sr. Director of Development, at clebow@ripkenfoundation.org or (410) 823-0808 ext. 190 to learn more and make this part of your legacy!