Press Release: Green Infrastructure Projects Expanding to Two More Richmond Public Library Branches

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Green Infrastructure Projects Expanding to Two More Richmond Public Library Branches

Richmond residents encouraged to provide input and inform future green infrastructure site plans at Belmont and Hull Street Branches

Richmond, Virginia – The Greening Richmond Public Libraries team is working together to plan improvements to the grounds of two Richmond Public Library branches in 2025. The team is seeking input from residents of the City of Richmond and library users as it develops green infrastructure site plans for Belmont Branch Library and Hull Street Branch Library. Input received via public meetings scheduled for later this month and questionnaires available online and at the library branches will inform the green infrastructure practices included in site plans for the branches.

Richmonders are invited to participate in public meetings to be held at both branches this month. A meeting will be held at Hull Street Branch Library, located at 1400 Hull Street, Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday, January 28 at 6:00 pm. A second meeting will be held at Belmont Branch Library, located at 3100 Ellwood Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, on Wednesday, January 29 at 6:00 pm. The Greening Richmond Public Libraries team will be soliciting input from attendees during these meetings and encourages anybody interested in the project to complete a questionnaire available online and at the library branches.

“We are incredibly excited to be expanding the Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative to the Belmont and Hull Street branches. By iIncorporating green infrastructure practices like rain gardens and native plantings, we are not only enhancing the beauty and sustainability of these valuable community spaces, but also contributing to a healthier and more resilient Richmond,” said Scott Firestine, Director of Richmond Public Library. “Together, we are creating vibrant and environmentally conscious libraries.”

“Stormwater runoff, produced when rain falls on impervious surfaces like streets and sidewalks, can carry pollution to the James River and its tributaries,” said Justin Doyle, Director of Community Conservation with the James River Association. “Trees, conservation landscaping, and rain gardens installed at Richmond Public Library branches help reduce the amount of polluted stormwater runoff flowing into the James while strengthening the resilience of communities in the face of a changing climate.”

The Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative launched in 2019 with the implementation of a green infrastructure site plan at Westover Hills Branch Library. Since then, the partnership has worked together to engage library users and stakeholders in planning and design processes that yielded green infrastructure site plans implemented at Broad Rock Branch, East End Branch, North Avenue Branch, and West End Branch. The primary goal of these plans is to manage stormwater on and around library grounds with green infrastructure including trees, conservation landscaping, and rain gardens.

The James River Association is seeking volunteer assistance to help implement a city-approved and community-supported green infrastructure site plan at Ginter Park Branch Library, located at 1200 Westbrook Avenue, Richmond, Virginia. Volunteer assistance is needed to help advance green initiatives by installing trees, shrubs, and perennial plants on library grounds this spring. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to visit the James River Association’s Green Infrastructure Stewards webpage to find upcoming dates and more information.

The Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative is made possible by generous support from Altria, Arbor Day Foundation, Richmond Department of Public Utilities/RVAH2O, Richmond’s Office of Sustainability, Richmond Public Library Foundation, United States Environmental Protection Agency through grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and Virginia Department of Forestry. Project partners include Richmond Public Library, Richmond Department of Public Utilities/RVAH2O, Four Winds Design, James River Association, and PlanRVA.

For more information about the Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative, please visit https://thejamesriver.org/greening-richmond-public-libraries/.

ABOUT THE JAMES RIVER ASSOCIATION: The James River Association is a member-supported nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to serve as a guardian and voice for the James River. Throughout the James River’s 10,000-square mile watershed, the James River Association works toward its vision of a fully healthy James River supporting thriving communities. The James River Association believes that “when you change the James, the James changes you”. With offices in Lynchburg, Richmond, Williamsburg, and Scottsville, the James River Association is committed to protecting the James River and connecting people to it. For more information visit www.thejamesriver.org.