About the Unity Park Project
In the heart of Richmond, a once-overgrown and neglected stretch of land was transformed into a vibrant public space. Thanks to years of dedication from local residents and grassroots organizations. The journey began in 2006, when Friends of the Richmond Greenway (FORG) was formed to reclaim the Richmond Greenway as a safe, welcoming space for all.

By 2010, more than 20 organizations, led by Pogo Park and united under FORG, hosted a “Festival of Ideas” to gather neighborhood input. With support from MIG, they turned those ideas into a detailed proposal and applied for state funding. In 2012, their efforts paid off: Richmond was awarded a $5 million grant from the California State Parks Department to create what would become Unity Park.
Before building began, the team secured property at Ohio and 16th Streets, completed environmental assessments, and strengthened internal collaboration. Then, in 2015, the community-led design process launched in full force. Design tents, door-to-door surveys, and outreach events gathered feedback from hundreds of residents. That input was channeled into five focused design teams: Art & Amenities, Bike & Pedestrian Infrastructure, Community Gardens, Playgrounds & Youth Spaces, and the Community Plaza & Great Lawn.
FORG hired 57 local residents to work directly on the design process—developing layouts, navigating city codes, estimating budgets, and bringing the community’s vision to life. By summer, the teams had created 35% design drafts, which were unveiled at a major community showcase on the Greenway. After months of refinement, two plans were finalized: a long-term Master Plan and a budget-conscious Build NOW Plan.
In November 2015, the final designs were presented at the Nevin Community Center and shared with city departments for final approval. Construction began in 2016, and the long-envisioned Unity Park officially came to life in 2018.
Built by the people, for the people, Unity Park now stands as a living tribute to community power, collaboration, and hope—a permanent reminder of what can happen when neighbors come together with a shared vision.