Maymont Site Master Planning Services and Children’s Farm Precinct Plan

Richmond, Virginia

Maymont is an historic site located along the James River that includes the mansion complex, gardens, and grounds of a Gilded Age estate willed to the City of Richmond in 1925 for use as a city park. The Phase 1 Master Planning effort included preparing a new base map for the park, and undertaking new mapping analysis in order to assist the Maymont Foundation with its long-term facility, strategic and interpretive planning. In addition to analyzing the cultural landscape, the team also documented transportation and park circulation, exhibits and the visitor experience, special events, and existing and planned facilities. The initial master planning support effort was flexible and responsive to the overall planning process, and built on available background information, on-going strategic planning, and Capital Campaign goals and milestones developed as part of the park’s planning and design efforts. 

Following the master planning services, a Children’s Farm Precinct Plan was completed. The Maymont Foundation conducted a two-day intensive work session to complete a framework plan for the Children’s Farm/Foundation Headquarters area. This process addressed the near-term and long-term development needs of this area, including the coordination with previous and ongoing facility planning and design initiatives. This planning process was facilitated by Rob McGinnis while with OCULUS. The planning team included consultants from BCWH (architect for the Foundation Headquarters project), VHB (civil engineers supporting various projects at Maymont), 3north (architect for the Children’s Farm renovations and Animal Care facility), and studioAmmons (design consultant working on concepts for the Welcome Plaza). The outcomes and findings of this planning process were recorded and formed the basis of the framework plan —a document that supports facility planning and marketing as Maymont proceeds with the funding and implementation of capital projects for this area.

KWLS Associate Principal Rob McGinnis served as the project director for site master planning  while with EDAW/AECOM and served as the principal-in-charge for the Children’s Farm Precinct Plan while with OCULUS.

Image Credits: Photographs: Rob McGinnis; Site Master Plan maps: EDAW/AECOM; Children’s Farm Precinct Plan: OCULUS