For this week’s issue of Here, we’re bringing you a special Snow Day Edition — because the first Richmond snowfall is kind of magic. It’s the city we love, suddenly hushed and sparkling, and we think it deserves its own moment in the spotlight.
Whether you’re making the first footprints on your block while playing hooky from work, challenging a neighbor to a snowball duel, or leaning into a little daytime tippling, we’ve got a few ideas to help you soak in the wonder.
Bundle up, take it slow, and get out there to explore and celebrate this place we all love to call home — rain, snow, or shine.
Snow Day
Art Crawl
Sankofa Community Orchard is a thriving green space in Richmond’s Southside, grounded in food justice and climate resiliency. In recent years, it has grown into a powerful symbol of community strength and neighborhood beautification. Across the orchard you will find more than a dozen murals created by local Black artists that honor innovators, community builders, and freedom fighters. While the orchard is worth a visit and your support any time of year, the first snowfall brings a whole new kind of experience. A quiet layer of snow turns each mural into a calm moment for reflection. It encourages us to slow down, notice the change in texture and brightness, and appreciate how the environment shapes art and community. Even under snow, Sankofa continues to grow what matters most.
There's always a surprise waiting when Forest Hill Park fills with fresh snow and neighbors gather to play. Last year, Richmond firefighters from Fire Station 20 stopped by after a training session with their paddle raft in tow. The enthusiastic crew invited kids on the hill to hop in, giving bobsled-like rides down this classic Richmond spot know for snow day escapades. Moments like this are what make Forest Hill a beloved snow day destination.
As evening falls, you might even spot someone launching a canoe or two for a moonlight glide down the hill to keep the fun going. While sledding is the main attraction, the real treasure lies deeper in the park. Forest Hill’s granite walkways and old stone walls feel even more inviting under snow, and those who know the park well head straight to the section of Reedy Creek above the lake. The rocky creek bed here hides a picturesque waterfall right in the middle of the city. When heavy rains replace snowfall, the very same spot becomes a favorite challenge for thrill seekers as the creek swells into a rare chance to paddleboard or kayak through the woods.
No matter the time of year, a visit to Forest Hill Park is never complete without stopping by nearby Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream. Choose a toasty drink or a local craft beer to celebrate a snow day well spent.
Give some love to the James River Park System, shout out the people who care for it, or leave a few hopeful words for your neighbors inside Richmond Grid’s Dear Richmond community journal. The journal is tucked inside a hidden green mailbox along a quiet side trail near the park headquarters. At first glance it blends into the landscape, but inside is something very Richmond: handwritten reflections from people who took a moment to pause, breathe, and connect.
Created in collaboration with the James River Park System, this special Richmond Grid project has captured thousands of entries since the early days of the pandemic. It has grown into a beloved ritual for park-goers, where strangers offer encouragement, share stories, sketch the scenery, or reflect on the beauty around them.
The journal has weathered storms and changed locations, yet it continues to fill with voices from across the city. Every entry is a reminder that even when we walk different paths, we share a common home and a deep love for the James. If you have not discovered the mailbox yet, consider making it part of your snow day adventure. Find it, read a few pages, leave your own mark, and become part of this living love letter to Richmond.
A snowy day in Richmond is a great time to spread a little warmth. Consider stopping by one of the many RVA Community Fridges around town. This neighborhood-driven initiative is all about neighbors helping neighbors. It's a simple way to share what we can and ensure that everyone has what they need. You can support RVA Community Fridges by dropping off food, volunteering, spreading the word, giving financially, or partnering as a business.
