Looking for ways to fill your family’s morning? An easy, family-friendly outing is the North Courthouse Library. All Chesterfield County Library branches are now open, but North Courthouse has been open to patrons for months, making its procedures and protocols seamless. Plexiglass, stickers to designate social distance, prepared crafts to go, quarantining returned items for 72 hours and continuing to offer curbside are ways CCPL’s North Courthouse branch keeps health and safety at the forefront.
The North Courthouse Library is located at 325 Courthouse Rd, Richmond, VA 23236. Hours are All library locations are now open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
The North Courthouse library is the newest CCPL branch. The physical space is detail oriented with modern seating, a large, open space in the children’s section, and an outdoor area with rocking chairs. A typical visit to the North Courthouse Library starts with both of my children picking out several books of their own. My seven year old absolutely beams when she gets to use her very own library card. Each card has a maximum check out of thirty books per visit.
Eloise and Gus Garrison choose books at the North Courthouse Library in Chesterfield. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison
In warmer weather we sit outside on the rocking chairs, and read together before walking the neighborhood connector trail. This path is accessible from the parking lot. During the fall CCPL librarians transform this simple path into a magical fairy garden. The path also connects to the fire station; often, fire fighters are running along the path. For my three year old son, just the chance of seeing a “real firefighter” is enough to make walking the trail a must-do.
Before leaving the library, snag a craft to go. These are perfect for filling rainy days. Rocks of Hope is the current craft offering. Painting the rock at home and returning to place it in the Rocks of Hope Garden in front of the library is a creative way to encourage community service and involvement.
Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison
Once your library tote is full, there are several nearby options to keep your crew entertained. Listed below are some affordable family favorites:
- Smallcakes Bakery (11516 Busy St., Richmond, VA, 23236): offers beautiful and mouth watering cupcakes. The variety is unbeatable. Popular picks for us are key lime and pink chocolate. Sometimes good library behavior deserves a yummy reward, and that means for parents too.
Smallcakes Bakery. Photo credit: Lindsay Garrison
2. Rockwood Park (3401 Courthouse Rd., North Chesterfield, VA, 23236): has a sandbox, large playground, nature center and lots of walking trails. Rockwood Park is only five minutes from North Courthouse Library and offers a perfect picnic venue.
Rockwood Park
3. Romp N’ Roll (11541 Busy St., Richmond, VA, 23236): has classes for children up to five years old. This kid’s gym is helpful for getting those toddler wiggles out, especially during winter months. Classes are posted online, registration is required in advance. “Tumble Tunes” has been tested and approved by my own high energy kiddo.
Photo credit: Romp n Roll/Facebook
The North Courthouse Library offers ways for families to connect, not only through books but through craft offerings and nearby activities. Local families are fortunate to have this free option to enrich their weekends.
Richmond on the Cheap contributor Lindsay Garrison is a Richmond, Virginia based mom to two young children. A graduate from Chesterfield Schools and Randolph-Macon College, Lindsay is proud to call Richmond home. In the years prior to planning activities and outings with her own children, she was a French teacher. During her tenure she earned accolades for her creative teaching style and ability to connect with her students. Lindsay now applies the skills she learned when she was planning student trips to France, to her own family adventures. She can’t wait to take her own children to France one day! Follow the Garrison’s family adventures on Instagram: @thegarrisonsrva
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