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Prime Picnic Spots in Richmond

Published

6 years ago

July 20, 2019

With summer surging full steam ahead, the time is right for an outdoor picnic. Fortunately, there are no shortage of prime picnic spots to choose from throughout Richmond, should you want to steal away for a little “me time” mid-week—or for some quality family time on the weekend. Here are a few of The Rich Life’s favorite local spots for an off-beat outdoor picnic.

Community Green Space

Located at the corner of Harbour Way and Macdonald Boulevard., the Community Green Space is a tiny little urban oasis right smack dab in downtown Richmond. Upon entering through the park’s corner gate, you’ll be greeted by a feast for the senses that includes beautiful flowers and landscaping, eclectic art—including a large, vibrant mural created by Richmond residents—and some picnic tables where you can enjoy a peaceful lunch while taking it all in. Post-picnic, consider checking out other downtown sites, such as the “Alive & Free” mural across the street from the park’s entrance.

Bridge Storage and ArtSpace

Another largely undiscovered picnic spot in the unlikeliest of places is Bridge Storage and ArtSpace’s courtyard. As you pass through the front gate, you’ll see the R&R Coffee kiosk, where you can caffeinate, quench your thirst via a variety of drinks and pick up some light fare. Just past the kiosk is Bridge’s courtyard, where there’s a serene sitting area—including a picnic table—and ample art, statues and greenery to set the stage for a relaxing outdoor lunch. Afterwards, check out Bridge’s art gallery, located adjacent to the courtyard, or take a short stroll around the gallery’s exterior to see if any artists are working in their studios (which have been converted from storage spaces). Bridge Storage & ArtSpace’s courtyard is located at 23 Main Ave. in Richmond; keep an eye out for the space’s frequent events.

Gyuto Foundation

Nestled away in the East Richmond Heights hills is the Gyuto Foundation, a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery & Learning Center that’s open to the community every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. It’s another Richmond locale that has the feel of being in another place—this time, Tibet. The Foundation is located along Wildcat Canyon, adding to its appeal as a prime picnic spot. Just inside the front gate is the “Path to Enlightenment,” a short, mostly level hillside trail that leads you through Redwoods, wildflowers and plush vegetation—and if you follow it as it slightly ascends— there’s a wonderful bench that’s perfectly poised for viewing the gorgeous canyon below. Enjoy your picnic on the bench or continue up the hill to the Foundation’s courtyard; complete with Buddhist statues, a fountain, a dharma wheel and more, it offers another exceptional spot for a picnic. The Gyuto Foundation is located at 6401 Bernhard Ave., Richmond.

Barbara and Jay Vincent Park

Richmond is bursting at the seams when it comes to beautiful parks with bountiful options for picnics, but this reporter’s favorite has to be Barbara and Jay Vincent Park at the Richmond Marina. The park is perfectly situated to offer stunning views of both the marina and San Francisco Bay and also features plenty of sitting areas and picnic tables (some with built-in BBQ grills) where you can enjoy some outdoor eats. There’s also an expansive lawn for those preferring to set up a picnic blanket and perhaps wanting to do a little kite flying as well—just be ready to share the space with the kite boarders who frequently set up there! After lunch, consider taking a stroll on the Bay Trail, which winds around the perimeter of the park, or visiting one of the park’s quaint beaches. Families will also love the children’s play structures nearby the picnic areas. Barbara and Jay Vincent Park is located on Marina Bay Pkwy. at the end of the Peninsula at Richmond’s Marina.

Kathy Chouteau

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 5 – 11, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 5 – 11, 2025

Published

2 days ago

November 7, 2025

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post

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Michael: The King of Pop’s Story Returns to the Big Screen

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The curtain has finally lifted on one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films. Lionsgate has unveiled the official trailer and release date for “Michael,” the sweeping biopic about Michael Jackson that has been years in the making.

Published

3 days ago

November 6, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The curtain has finally lifted on one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films. Lionsgate has unveiled the official trailer and release date for “Michael,” the sweeping biopic about Michael Jackson that has been years in the making. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film will arrive in theaters on April 24, 2026, with the singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, stepping into the spotlight to portray his legendary uncle.

The trailer wastes no time rekindling the aura of Jackson’s genius. Opening with a studio scene between Jackson and his longtime producer Quincy Jones, played by Kendrick Sampson, the clip builds from a quiet, familiar rhythm to the electrifying pulse of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” Viewers catch glimpses of the singer’s childhood, flashes of “Thriller,” and the silhouette that redefined pop culture. Each frame reminds fans of why Jackson remains unmatched in artistry and influence. The cast surrounding the late pop king’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, reads like a who’s who of Black entertainment and music history. Colman Domingo plays Joe Jackson, Nia Long portrays Katherine Jackson, and Larenz Tate takes on the role of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Laura Harrier portrays music executive Suzanne de Passe, while Kat Graham embodies Diana Ross. Miles Teller plays attorney John Branca, a towering entertainment lawyer and longtime Jackson confidant who later became co-executor of his estate. The film’s journey to release has been as complicated as the icon it portrays. Production wrapped in 2024, but legal hurdles over depictions of past controversies forced extensive reshoots and editing delays. Even so, Fuqua’s film now appears ready to reclaim the narrative, focusing on Jackson’s creative ambition and humanity beyond tabloid noise. IndieWire reported that the film had faced “a massive legal snafu” over a disputed storyline but was retooled to center the music and legacy that defined generations.

Maven. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson

“Michael” promises more than a chronological retelling. It aims to explore how a child star from Gary, Indiana, became the world’s most influential entertainer. The script, written by Oscar-nominated John Logan, traces Jackson’s early years with the Jackson 5 through the triumphs and isolation of global superstardom. With Fuqua’s cinematic eye and producer Graham King—who brought “Bohemian Rhapsody” to life—joining forces with estate executors Branca and John McClain, the film is positioned as both a tribute and a restoration of Jackson’s cultural truth. Branca’s work behind the scenes has long shaped Jackson’s posthumous success. After the singer died in 2009, Branca and McClain took control of the estate burdened by debt and turned it into a global powerhouse worth billions. Under their stewardship, Jackson’s projects have generated more than $3 billion in worldwide ticket sales and landmark deals, including a $600 million joint venture with Sony earlier this year. At its heart, though, “Michael” is a story about artistry that transcends scandal. It offers a reminder that, despite the noise surrounding his life, Jackson’s music still bridges continents and generations. The trailer’s closing moments capture that spirit. As the beat of “Billie Jean” swells and Jaafar Jackson moonwalks into a spotlight, audiences are left with a familiar feeling—the awe of witnessing something timeless return home.

“Michael” opens worldwide in theaters April 24, 2026. See the official trailer here.

Stacy M. Brown

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Donald Trump Is the Biggest Loser

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Trump Brand took a significant hit as it was swept up in the Democratic blue wave of the election last night.

Published

4 days ago

November 5, 2025

Oakland Post

By April Ryan

The Trump Brand took a significant hit as it was swept up in the Democratic blue wave of the election last night.

Chris Jones, Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (AR-02), says, “Last night was electric, and it was unquestionably a wave.” Democrats won big in what is widely considered a repudiation of Trump’s 9 months at the White House in his second term.

In the state of Virginia, which produced the first big election night win and saw the election of the first woman governor, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, 56% of Virginia’s residents disapprove of President Trump. In New Jersey, 55% of state residents disapprove of the president; in New York, 69% disapprove; and in California, 63% disapprove of the president. The Trump brand or his support for any candidates did nothing to benefit those he endorsed in this election. They actually lost in each race he publicly put his name behind. Trump endorsed former New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lost the New York mayor’s race in his run as an independent. And New Jersey Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who ran for governor with the presidential endorsement, also lost his prospective race.

The next question is, will the democratic momentum be sustainable? Jones further explained, “This can become a 2026 tsunami, but turning a wave into a tsunami takes energy. A lot of energy. It doesn’t just happen. The conditions are there. Now we have to work!”

Some Democrats would argue that the work is already underway. The pushback against Trump’s national redistricting efforts received a thumb in the eye from California voters. Prop 50, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s counterbalance to President Trump’s redistricting efforts, passed in California last night. Although Trump’s name was not on the ballot last night, his Republican policies were. The United States has now entered the longest government shutdown in its history. Forty-two million Americans are not getting SNAP benefits. Economists are acknowledging that the government shutdown is contributing to the rise in delinquent debt in the student loan, automotive, and credit card industries. These items are among the negatives Americans are protesting against.

Compounding Trump’s political problems is a tariff battle that’s directly impacting pocketbooks. The day after the elections, the Trump administration was arguing before the US Supreme Court in favor of the president’s tariff powers. Meanwhile, President Trump‘s poll numbers are underwater, standing at a 37% national disapproval rate