My Nonprofit Reviews

Rich active outdoor play is the engine that drives healthy child development. Research shows that such play improves physical health and boosts social skills, empathy, creativity, and imagination. Pogo Park promotes deep play—the kind that feeds children’s bodies, minds, and spirits and connects them to nature, the community, and their own inner strengths.

I have worked as a volunteer for Pogo Park for nearly a decade and I have seen the overwhelming power of building strong, safe playgrounds with a rich program of activities within a short walking distance of children who need it most - those living in the inner-city.

Pogo Park has changed Richmond's Iron Triangle neighborhood with its multi-layered approach to urban renewal by building a spectacular network of verdant parks accessible to more than 5,000 children in the community.

But Pogo Park hasn't just built the parks and left. They've stayed deeply involved by hiring local residents to manage the parks, conduct sports programs and other enrichment activities. Many of the impoverished kids in this community once had nowhere to go and nothing to do after-school and on weekends. Now they have all been flushed out of their houses and into local playgrounds to play with friends, socialize with other families and connect with mentors who know them and their neighborhood best.

Pogo Park is one of the most impactful non-profit organizations I've ever seen or had the pleasure to work with. I highly recommend coming out to Richmond sometime and seeing the incredible work they are doing.