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June 3, 2026

$14 million in U.S. Bank Foundation grants are being delivered to nonprofits like Pogo Park

Twenty years ago, the city parks in the Iron Triangle neighborhood of Richmond, California, were uninviting and scarcely used. Today, those parks are getting local residents outside to meet their neighbors, play and soak up the beauty of green space, thanks to the nonprofit Pogo Park organization.

Pogo Park is one of 400 nonprofits that recently received a  grant from the U.S. Bank Foundation. Launched 10 years ago to bring together philanthropy and employee volunteerism, the U.S. Bank Community Possible program supports organizations across the country creating opportunities for economic development in their communities. In its first round of grants this year, the U.S. Bank Foundation distributed more than $14 million.

Starting as a grassroots effort, led by Executive Director Toody Maher, Pogo Park is helping transform parks in the Iron Triangle into vibrant places for kids and families to enjoy sports, art, nature classes, picnics and more. At the same time, the organization provides workforce development opportunities for the people who build and maintain the parks. The support from the U.S. Bank Foundation will help Pogo Park expand its programming and continue enhancing the parks, such as with a new community center expected to open later this year.

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May 5, 2026

By Kleigh Carroll

About 10,000 Richmonders live in the Iron Triangle in the shadow of the Chevron refinery, where their flatlands neighborhood is vulnerable to poor air quality, summer power outages and flooding from sea level rise.

Now there will be a place they can find safety and resources during such emergencies: Pogo Park’s Harbour Hall, a new Community Resiliency Center (CRC), is expected to have a soft opening this summer, with other finishing touches due to be completed later.

Harbour Hall, at Harbour-8 Park between Harbour Way and Eighth Street, will primarily be a programming and recreational space, but it was designed and outfitted to double as a place of refuge during crises such as earthquakes, fires, flooding, power outages and extreme weather.

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July 21, 2025

By Sierra Lopez

RICHMOND — Parks have the power to heal. That’s the belief inspiring a local nonprofit dedicated to breathing new life into Richmond’s historically underserved Iron Triangle neighborhood.

Named for the three lines of train tracks that form it, the Iron Triangle is a one-square-mile section of Richmond that has undergone some major changes over the decades thanks in large part to the work of Pogo Park, a nonprofit led by founder and Executive Director Toody Maher.

Their vision is big but their approach is simple: transform a neighborhood by bringing the community into the design and development process, strengthening the feeling of ownership and care for the park, Maher said.

“People want to take care of it because they feel like it’s theirs and it’s their responsibility,” Maher said.

Through the Pogo Park approach, community pride is sparked and trickles out to other parts of the neighborhood where residents begin their own planting and beautification projects, Maher said.

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July 15, 2025

Pogo Park is set to transform the Elm Playlot into a vibrant hub of family fun this Friday, July 18, for its 3rd Annual Summer Carnival. Running from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 720 Elm Ave., the event promises an array of attractions including the Solcar Choo-Choo Train, a mechanical bull, a dunk tank, a 360-degree photo booth, and classic carnival treats like snowcones and lemonade. Additional entertainment includes live music, face painting, and games suitable for all ages. While park admission is free, tickets are required for rides and activities.

Founded in Richmond’s Iron Triangle neighborhood, Pogo Park is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing public spaces into safe, engaging environments for children and families. The Elm Playlot, also known as Pogo Park #1, was the organization’s inaugural project, transforming a neglected lot into a dynamic community space.

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July 1, 2025

By Kathy Chouteau

Pogo Park aims to complete its $28 million Harbour-8 Project this October, after the Richmond City Council recently voted to provide $3 million to cover cost overruns.

Now, the Iron Triangle-based nonprofit is looking to raise the final $3 million needed to complete the project, which includes Harbour Hall —a community center that doubles as Contra Costa County’s first Community Resiliency Center (CRC) — a surrounding playground with a volcanic zipline, Oak trees donated by Apple Inc. and much more. The 3,500 square foot Harbour Hall will be equipped with back-up power, water, food, communication and support during emergencies.

“The impact that we’re going to be having [is] in one of the most underserved neighborhoods inRichmond,” Maher told Richmond City Council at a recent meeting.

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Drop by, take a sneak peak, and see what we’re asking the City of Richmond to help us complete.

DATE: Friday – May 16, 2025
TIME: 1pm – 6pm (drop by any time)
LOCATION: Harbour Hall – 909 Ohio Ave, Richmond 94801

April 29, 2025

by Joel Umanzor

At the edge of Richmond’s Iron Triangle neighborhood, a highly anticipated community park project more than 10 years in the making is close to becoming a reality along the Richmond Greenway Trail.

Pogo Park — a nonprofit community development organization that converts blighted city parks into safe green children’s play spaces — has been working since 2013 with the city, Richmond LAND and neighborhood residents to transform the two-block Harbour-8 Park into a place that has everything from a fun zone with a 25-foot, three-story transparent climbing structure to a tot lot, a commercial kitchen and a 100-foot zip line mounted on a rubber surface hand-crafted by team members to look like a volcano.

While they’re still raising the last $6 million of what is a $28 million project, the first phase is expected to be open by July, said Toody Maher, executive director of Pogo Park.

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June 27, 2024

By Kathy Chouteau

Pogo Park is hosting its 2^nd Annual Carnival Friday, July 19 from 3-7 p.m. at Elm Playlot in Richmond.

A recipe for fun is in store for people of all ages at the carnival, which will double as a fundraiser supporting the nonprofit’s work. Pogo Park transforms city parks in Richmond’s Iron Triangle neighborhood into safe, green, beautiful public spaces for children.

Games, attractions, snacks and photos will be part of the carnival’s mix, with Pogo Park Executive Director Toody Maher sharing there will be a jumper, mechanical bull, choo-choo train, 360 photo booth, splash tower, popcorn, snow cones and great music.

The purchase of $12 tickets is necessary to enjoy the various carnival activities. Tickets can be pre-purchased at Pogo Park/Elm Playlot now through July 19 between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will also be available at the event gate the day of the carnival.

Pogo Park asks that parents be present to supervise children age 18 and younger.

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May 20, 2024

By Kathy Chouteau

Get ready for a 70s-style blast from the past when Pogo Park hosts its “Throwback Skate Party” Friday, May 24 from 4-8 p.m. at Pogo Park #1/Elm Playlot in Richmond.

Community members can bring their own skates or rollerblades, or rent some wheels ($2), and enjoy a roll around the park to music by DJ Marquee Anderson. Popcorn ($1) and lemonade ($1) will be on hand, as will an opportunity to capture the moment in a photo booth ($2).

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