Greening Richmond Public Libraries

Stormwater runoff adversely impacts the health of the James River and is a growing source of pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In an effort to increase public awareness of stormwater runoff and reduce it, the James River Association is working alongside Richmond Public Library, Richmond Department of Public Utilities/RVAH2O, and Four Winds Design to plan, design, and install green infrastructure that manage stormwater at library branches across the City of Richmond. Green infrastructure practices include rain gardens and street trees that enhance our built environment for the benefit of humans and the ecosystem of which we are a part. Green infrastructure contributes to healthier communities by capturing and filtering stormwater before it enters our waterways and expanding tree canopy to reduce the urban heat island effect. It also provides habitat for wildlife living among us.

After nearly a year of community engagement, planning, and design work, the Greening Richmond Public Libraries team is preparing to implement a green infrastructure site plan at Richmond Public Library’s East End Branch Library that will result in better management of stormwater runoff and more tree canopy in one of the hottest areas of the East End.

Join the James River Association and its partners for a community planting event at East End Branch Library in September!

Volunteer September 29th or 30th!

Sign up for workshop notifications

Interested in participating in a rain barrel workshop? We will be offering workshops at Richmond Public Library branches in September, October, and November of 2022. Sign up here to receive a notification when registration opens for each workshop.

Plans for East End Branch Library

The Greening Richmond Public Libraries team conducted community and stakeholder engagement activities at East End Branch Library in June 2022. In-person and virtual meetings were held and input was solicited using a questionnaire. Feedback received by the project team was used to inform the plans created by Four Winds Design. The City of Richmond’s Urban Design Committee recommended approval of the project and the Planning Commission approved the project in October 2022. The plans feature bioretention basins along N. 25th Street, R Street, and the library’s parking lot. Construction of the bioretention basins is underway as of May 2023. Impervious asphalt is being excavated to create spaces for the basins, which will be formed by concrete and filled with bioretention media. Native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants will be planted in the basins in fall 2023. When activated with plants, the basins will reduce the volume of stormwater runoff entering Richmond’s combined sewer system.

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Greening RPL East End Branch Plans

Get Involved

Join the James River Association for a community tree planting event at select Richmond Public Library branches this fall! Volunteers are needed to help plant regionally native trees. These community tree planting events are associated with the Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative and made possible by grant awards from the Virginia Department of Forestry’s Virginia Trees for Clean Water program and the Arbor Day Foundation. Email Justin Doyle, the James River Association’s Director of Community Conservation, at jdoyle@thejamesriver.org for details.

Richmond Public Library Branches Go Green

Broad Rock Branch Library – 4820 Old Warwick Road

Three bioretention basins that capture stormwater from the library’s roof and parking area were installed, a total of 64 native trees and shrubs were planted by volunteers on library grounds, and a pollinator area that features native perennials planted by volunteers was established.

North Avenue Branch Library – 2901 North Avenue

A bioretention basin that captures stormwater from the library’s roof was installed, a total of 44 trees and shrubs were planted by volunteers, and a pollinator area that features native perennials planted by volunteers was established.

West End Branch Library – 5420 Patterson Avenue

Three bioretention basins that capture stormwater from the library’s roof and parking area were installed and a total of 69 native trees and shrubs were planted by volunteers on library grounds.

Westover Hills Branch Library – 1408 Westover Hills Blvd

The Westover Hills Library Advisory Group began the Rain Garden project in 2015 and has completed three phases to date. Improvements at Westover Hills include rain gardens, conservation landscaping, storm drain art, and an educational sign.

Go Green At Home!

Every time it rains, fertilizers, herbicides, bacteria from pet waste, and chemicals flow from our properties into local waterways. Join other residents of the James River watershed in becoming a River Hero Home to protect the health and beauty of our local streams and rivers. Take the pledge and become a River Hero Home today!

Many Thanks to our Partners

The Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative is supported by Altria, Arbor Day Foundation, Richmond Department of Public Utilities/RVAH2O, Richmond Public Library Foundation, Virginia Department of Forestry, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency through a grant from the VA Department of Environmental Quality. Project partners include Richmond Public Library, Richmond Department of Public Utilities, James River Association, and Four Winds Design.

Please direct questions about the Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative to Justin Doyle, the James River Association’s Director of Community Conservation, at jdoyle@thejamesriver.org.