Tree Update (January 2025)
Monument Avenue, a National Historic Landmark, is planning a critical and much needed restoration of its street trees. Many trees on the Avenue, especially the maple trees, are stressed and/or dying. To address this unsustainable situation, HMA is collaborating with the City of Richmond Urban Forestry and Bartlett Tree Experts to conduct a professional tree inventory.
In Fall 2024, Bartlett Tree Experts did a thorough job in taking inventory of the street trees from Lombardy Street to Arthur Ashe Boulevard. The inventory data was shared with Councilperson Jordon and Sven Philipsen, and Councilperson Jordan is excited that the trees as they relate to our historic designation are getting attention. The inventory of 350 trees revealed that there are 12 species currently on Monument Avenue. Of the 350 trees, 2 trees are dead; 30 trees are in poor condition; and, there are 32 empty tree wells. The next step in the process is a meeting with Michael Webb, the city’s arborist, and Bartlett’s tree team.
Annual Events
Easter on Parade
Since 1972, the Monument Avenue Easter Parade (also Easter on Parade) has featured upwards of 25,000 Richmonders and their pets on Easter Sunday as they parade up and down scenic Monument Avenue dressed in their Sunday finery, or their most outlandish costume. For some, it may be a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but for others, it can simply be an opportunity to welcome spring, to socialize, people watch or just enjoy music, arts, crafts or a variety of foods along Richmond’s most picturesque street.
Just prior to its 15th anniversary in 1986, the event was in danger of being cancelled when insurance premiums increased more than tenfold. HMA (previously the Monument Avenue Preservation Society), its sponsor at the time, was shocked to discover the usual $500 liability insurance costs increase to nearly $6,000 that year. Kiddie rides and a hot air balloon previously offered were eliminated to keep insurance costs down.
But the beloved event has found a way to continue, and it is a tradition that Richmond looks forward to every year–the highlight, perhaps, being the Bonnet Showcases—both for people and pets! And admission is always free.
Pettinger, B., & Times-Dispatch. (2016, March 24). From the Archive in 1986: 15th Easter Parade may be the last. Retrieved from:
Monument Avenue 10k
The Monument Avenue 10k, an annual 10-kilometer road running event sanctioned by USA Track and Field, began in 2000 and is run each spring on historic Monument Avenue.
In 2007, the race had over 25,000 registered runners, which made it the 4th largest 10k in America. The race features a fast, flat course, 30 bands, dozens of spirit groups and many runners in costumes. All of these may be reasons USA Today named it one of the 10 Great Road Races in the United States. Current record holders are Reuben Chebii, who completed the race in a fast 28:07 in 2004, and Magdalene Makunzi, with a time of 32:24 in 2007.
Notable runners include Barbara and Jenna Bush, who ran the race under aliases in 2006.
Monument Avenue 10K. (2019, October 1). Retrieved from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_Avenue_10K
Sports Backers. (n.d.). Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k. Retrieved from:
https://www.sportsbackers.org/events/monument-ave-10k/