Greening Richmond Public Libraries
In an effort to increase public awareness of stormwater runoff and reduce pollution going into the James River, the James River Association is collaborating with Richmond Public Library, Richmond Department of Public Utilities/RVAH2O, PlanRVA and Four Winds Design to plan, design, install, and maintain green infrastructure that manages stormwater at library branches across the City of Richmond. Since 2019, projects have been implemented at Broad Rock Branch, East End Branch, Ginter Park Branch, North Avenue Branch, West End Branch, Westover Hills Branch with additional projects planned for Belmont Branch and Hull Street Branch in 2026.
Green Infrastructure is a Solution to Stormwater Pollution
Stormwater runoff adversely impacts the health of the James River and is a growing source of pollution in its watershed. In an effort to increase public awareness of stormwater runoff and reduce it, the Greening Richmond Public Libraries partnership is collaborating with communities to plan, install, and maintain green infrastructure that manages stormwater at library branches across the City of Richmond.
Community Engagement is at the Heart of Greening Richmond Public Libraries
Richmond Public Library branches are venues for community engagement associated with the Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative. Community engagement activities held at library branches inform the development of green infrastructure site plans and empower Richmonders to take river-friendly conservation actions at home. Through its River Hero Homes program, the James River Association offers educational programs including rain barrel workshops, native plants workshops, and tree giveaways to residents.
Sustainable Landscapes Require Stewardship
Ongoing stewardship ensures green infrastructure installed on library grounds is functioning properly and communities have access to welcoming green spaces. Library grounds are regularly maintained by SOAR365’s Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance team with support from community volunteers organized through the James River Association’s Green Infrastructure Stewards program.
Richmond Public Library Branches Go Green
Belmont Branch Library – 3100 Ellwood Avenue – In progress!
The Greening Richmond Public Libraries team has created a community-supported and city-approved green infrastructure site plan for the Belmont Branch Library. The green infrastructure practices included in the plan are intended to reduce stormwater runoff leaving library grounds while providing the community with access to green space. The plan was informed by feedback received during a community meeting held at the library as well as results from an online questionnaire.
Construction is starting at Belmont Branch in July, 2026 and is anticipated to conclude by 2027.
Broad Rock Branch Library – 4820 Old Warwick Road
In 2022, three bioretention basins that intercept stormwater from the library’s roof and parking area were installed, a total of 64 native trees and shrubs were planted, and a pollinator area that features native perennials was established.
East End Branch Library– 1200 N. 25th Street
The green infrastructure project at East End Branch Library was implemented in 2023. Seven bioretention basins installed around the library work together to manage stormwater and reduce the speed of vehicular traffic. The bioretention basins intercept stormwater runoff from N. 25th Street, R Street, and the library’s parking area. Greening efforts have been ongoing at East End Branch since 2023, with the Greening Richmond Public Libraries team organizing multiple community tree planting events in the neighborhood surrounding the library in partnership with Church Hill Trees. These planting events are focused on increasing urban tree canopy primarily in the Fairmount neighborhood. Contact Katy Riley at kriley@thejamesriver.org to get involved.
Ginter Park Branch Library – 1200 Westbrook Avenue
The green infrastructure project at Ginter Park Branch Library was completed in 2026. This project included the installation of three bioretention basins, permeable paver system, benches, a shade structure, and conservation landscaping areas featuring regionally native plants. The Greening Richmond Public Libraries worked with Exact Stormwater Management on the installation of the bioretention basins and permeable paver system. Plants were installed with support from community volunteers and Richmond Public Library’s grounds maintenance contractor, SOAR365.
Hull Street Branch Library – 1400 Hull Street – In progress!
North Avenue Branch Library – 2901 North Avenue
In 2022, a bioretention basin that intercepts stormwater from roughly half of the library’s roof was installed, a total of 44 trees and shrubs were planted, and a pollinator area that features native perennials was established. Street trees were planted in the neighborhood around the library to expand tree canopy in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
West End Branch Library – 5420 Patterson Avenue
In 2022, three bioretention basins that intercept stormwater from the library’s roof and parking area were installed and a total of 69 native trees and shrubs were planted on library grounds in 2022. Street trees were planted along Patterson Avenue in 2022.
Westover Hills Branch Library – 1408 Westover Hills Blvd
The Westover Hills Library Advisory Group began the Rain Garden project in 2015. In 2019, additional green infrastructure including rain gardens and conservation landscaping was added to library grounds. 225 regionally native plants were added to library grounds in 2024.
Every time it rains, pollutants including sediment, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and bacteria from pet waste flow from our yards into local waterways via stormwater runoff. Stormwater pollution adversely impacts the health of the James and threatens the health of people and wildlife. River Hero Homes is a community of stewards that realize the first step to a healthier James River starts at home. Implementing river-friendly conservation practices at homes is as easy as properly disposing of waste, using native plants, reducing the use of fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, and conserving water.
Go Green At Home!
Sign up for rain barrel workshop notifications
The James River Association offers rain barrel workshops at Richmond Public Library branches throughout the year. Sign up to receive a notification when registration opens.
Get Involved as a Green Infrastructure Steward
The James River Association’s Green Infrastructure Stewards are volunteers who work alongside our staff members to maintain stormwater best management practices, including rain gardens and conservation landscaping, installed through the Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative. Ongoing stewardship ensures practices installed on library grounds reduce stormwater runoff as intended, while also ensuring communities have access to welcoming and well-maintained green spaces. Volunteers who participate in stewardship events will have opportunities to learn about the Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative, green infrastructure and stormwater best management practices, and stewardship skills that can be applied at home and beyond.
Many Thanks to our Partners
The Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative is made possible by generous support from Altria Group, Arbor Day Foundation, Richmond Department of Public Utilities/RVAH2O, Richmond’s Office of Sustainability, Richmond Public Library Foundation, the United States Environmental Protection Agency through grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and the Virginia Department of Forestry. Project partners include Richmond Public Library, Richmond Department of Public Utilities/RVAH2O, Four Winds Design, LC, James River Association, and PlanRVA.
