Everyone has heard stories about Church Hill. The crack deals, the auto theft, the muggings... Truth is, all of those are still problems in the area, but as my friend Amanda showed me today, Church Hill has a lot of beauty to it as well. The residences in the area are as old and historic as any you'd find in the Fan, and the churches on Broad are some of the most beautiful in Richmond. Church Hill is also the site of a lot of gorgeous urban parks. For instance, these first two shots were taken from the hill at Jefferson Park. The last one was taken from another hill I found behind the old WRVA Broadcast Building. Now I know at least some of you reading this will be squirming in your seats at the thought of one kid taking photos in Church Hill at eleven at night, but the Church HIll I saw tonight was completely docile and even endearing at points. I shared the park with a total of two other people: a couple on a park bench enjoying the same view as myself. Eventually, the man scooped up his date and carried her across the entire park to their car, both laughing the whole way. Endearing.
