Residents and community organizers urged the Richmond Parks and Recreation Commission to act quickly to make Humphrey Play Lot safe for children, describing flooding, glass and needles in play surfacing, poor lighting and ongoing maintenance shortfalls.

"Children have a right to a safe and accessible play space," said Laura Gonzalez, an early-childhood educator and 35-year Humphrey Avenue resident, during the meeting's public-comment period. Susanna Montelongo, a homeowner who said the play lot prompted her family's decision to buy in the neighborhood, requested a "comprehensive safety audit" and a dedicated budget to repair and maintain the site.

The speakers recounted repeated flooding that leaves the surface unusable for months, rotting wood chips that can hide hazardous debris, and adult after-hours activity they said made the space feel unsafe for toddlers and preschoolers.

Parks staff said crews will perform immediate cleanups where hazards such as glass are reported and will replace bark surfacing as needed. "If there's glass, we'll remove, and replace the bark," Jason Lacy, parks and landscape superintendent, said. He added that certified playground inspectors will evaluate play structures through a current parks-assessment contract so staff can identify capital improvements.

Lacy cautioned that addressing the site's frequent flooding would be a capital-improvement project that requires changing park topography and competing for funding through the city's CIP (capital-improvement program). "We have a program and an approach to CIP," he said, adding that council must ultimately approve funding and that parks can recommend priorities to move projects higher on the list.

Commissioners asked staff to add visible, near-term steps — trash removal, signage, fencing where needed and a prioritized punch list — and suggested the commission consider recommending Humphrey for grant funding when appropriate. Staff also said they will include Humphrey in the third-party playground safety inspections and will follow up about possible placement on the CIP list.

The meeting concluded with staff agreeing to evaluate the site and to communicate next steps; commissioners encouraged residents to use the city's work-order system for reported hazards so crews receive and track requests.