Monroe Park is Richmond's oldest park. It has long been a community resource and a diverse cultural hub for the Richmond Community. The park is supposedly undergoing a renovation, but progress seems stalled. In fact, the current iteration of Monroe Park pales in comparison to its former self. A large number of trees have been lost. Cool, shady, peaceful space is at a premium. Many of gravel paths are washed out to the point of being closed. There are no restrooms. The Monroe Park Conservancy, established to guide this renovation, has been less than transparent, appears to have financial issues, has made a number of environmentally questionable choices, and their greatest achievement appears to have been displacing a group of less fortunate people who largely peacefully hung out there for years. Todd Woodson, a Richmond native and longtime advocate for the environment and people of Richmond, joins me today to discuss the history of Monroe Park along with current issues regarding management of park renovation. Monroe Park needs the support of the community. If you'd like to see the park returned its past beauty, you'll want to check this out.