Henrico County Government

06/01/2026

Families and Henrico County Public Library staff gathered this morning at the Varina Area Library to celebrate the start of summer reading – and what a day to do it! The kickoff also marked the beginning of the library’s 10th birthday celebration.

“It’s incredible that it’s already been a decade,” Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson said, recalling when he first saw the building’s blueprints before construction began. “Seeing how amazing this library has become shows how hungry Henrico was to do this for their community.”

The Summer Reading Challenge runs through Aug. 8 and encourages participants to read books and earn prizes as they reach milestones. This year’s theme highlights dinosaurs: “Unearth A Story.”

Whether you’re just starting your summer reading journey or looking for a fun way to spend the day, Henrico’s libraries have a full lineup of activities to get you going. Kickoff events are scheduled all week at various locations. For details, including a link to register for the challenge, visit https://henricolibrary.org/summerreading.

Today’s celebration at Varina included a screening of the movie “The Land Before Time” plus 🧱LEGO play in the Kids Department, 📸 a photo op in the Digital Media Lab, 🖨️ 3D printing design, 🎮 teen pop-in gaming and 🎨Makers Lab fun — buttons, Perler beads, origami and more!

Adults, don't miss the Library of Virginia Transcribe-a-Thon in the Digital Media Lab. Ready to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge? Stop by any library — and learn how you can become a Friend of the Library while you're at it!

📚It's never too early — or too late — to start reading this summer!

06/01/2026

Reminder: Join us tonight for an open house detailing recommendations and next steps for the Best Products Reimagined site and Brook Road corridor. The meeting will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. in Ballroom B of the Belmont Recreation Center.

05/30/2026

🌷🪻🌞It's looking like a beautiful weekend to be outside! ICYMI, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden's expansion is now open to the public, with a new walking trail along Wick Lake and a larger conservatory.

“Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is a treasured part of this community," Board of Supervisors Chair Roscoe D. Cooper III said at last week's ribbon-cutting for the garden's expansion. "Henrico County is grateful for its presence, its partnership and its participation in making our community such a great place to live.”

05/29/2026

School is out for the summer and there's endless fun to be had!

No matter your age, interest or ability, Henrico County Public Library and Henrico County Recreation & Parks encourage residents and visitors to take advantage of all the no-cost activities available during Free for All.

Just a few of the programs scheduled for the next week include:
- Friday, May 29: Spring Concert with Prabir Trio (6-9 p.m. at Deep Run Park)
- Friday, May 29-Monday, June 1: Indigenous Perspectives VA250 - American Revolution 250 Commission Traveling Exhibit (Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, check for daily public hours)
- Monday, June 1: Sandston Stitchers (10 a.m.-noon at Sandston Branch Library)
- Monday, June 1: Teens Make Stuff (2-3 p.m. at Libbie Mill Library)

To learn more about the Free for All initiative, available services and how to participate in upcoming events, please visit: https://henrico.gov/news/2026/05/free-for-all-henrico-kicks-off-summer-with-free-services-and-programs/

To view the full list of programs scheduled through August:
- Libraries 2026 Summer Program Guide:https://www.henricolibrary.org/images/pdfs/programguides/ProgramGuide_202606_Summer_WEB.pdf
- Recreation & Parks 2026 Summer Program Guide:https://henrico.gov/assets/SummerProgramGuide_2026.pdf

05/29/2026

The intersection at Quioccasin Road and Starling Drive will close from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly beginning Sunday, May 31 for paving. The work is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Friday, June 5.

A detour will use Blue Jay Lane, Farmington Drive, Starling, Weldon Drive, North Parham Road and Fargo Road.

05/29/2026

🐝🌷As you're buzzing about tomorrow, swing by the Pollinator Festival and Spring Plant Sale! It'll run 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center.

05/28/2026

Does your home use a private water source, such as a well, spring or cistern? Henrico Extension is offering a three-part clinic to help residents test their water for potentially dangerous levels of contaminants.

To participate:
1. Register online and pay $70 per sample: https://register.ext.vt.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=3936703&selectedProgramAreaId=44377&selectedProgramStreamId=
2. Pick up a test kit from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 through Thursday, June 4 at the Extension Office, 6800 Staples Mill Road
3. Drop off water samples from 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 10 at the Extension Office

About five weeks later, participants will receive their results by mail or email with a link on how to interpret the findings.

“Residential water sources are not regulated in Virginia,” said Kimberly Edmonds, Extension’s unit coordinator. "The responsibility for testing water quality and maintaining the water system lies with homeowners. Henrico Extension is pleased to offer affordable, confidential water tests, along with other resources to help residents.”

To learn more: https://henrico.gov/news/2026/05/henrico-extension-to-offer-water-testing-clinic-for-residents-on-private-wells-5/

05/28/2026

05/28/2026

Henrico will hold a community meeting Monday, June 1 to present a draft master plan and recommendations to transform the former Best Products headquarters site and nearby Brook Road corridor into a vibrant, walkable gateway with an arena and other uses.

The meeting will be held 6-7:30 p.m. at the Belmont Recreation Center, 1600 Hilliard Road. Residents and other community stakeholders are encouraged to attend. The design firm Able City will present the draft plan and outline next steps.

Details: https://henrico.gov/news/2026/05/draft-master-plan-recommendations-for-best-products-reimagined-site-brook-road-corridor-to-be-presented-at-june-1-meeting/