Northumberland Public Library celebrated a major milestone on Saturday, May 9, with the official dedication of Hardy Community Park. Located behind its building at 7204 Northumberland Highway, the pocket park delivers on the library’s commitment to community offerings that reach beyond its walls.

The idea for the park began in 2023, when library director Jane Blue proposed transforming the outdoor area into a pocket park—a small, thoughtfully designed public space meant to encourage open-air gathering, learning, and recreation. The library’s board of trustees embraced the idea, recognizing its potential to serve residents of all ages.

Ground was officially broken on July 24, 2024, and the project was developed in phases. That approach allowed the library to keep the project manageable, understanding each major step as it unfolded so the park could be built steadily and sustainably, Blue previously explained.

The outcome is an inviting outdoor space where visitors are greeted by two large pairs of decorated watermen’s boots— colorful sculptures painted by artists Susan Lake and Barbara Brecher—that continue the region’s 2017 “Watermen’s Way” project, celebrating the area’s maritime heritage and offering a fun photo opportunity.

The park also delivers on the early vision of offering a butterfly garden. There’s a gazebo, picnic tables, and benches, as well as Wren’s Walk, an eight-panel story walk donated by the Hansons, Wren’s grandparents. 

Visitors can read the story of Benjamin Franklin Lewis, a Callao resident who designed and patented the crab pot in 1938—a design still used today. Throughout the park, interpretive signs share more stories about local history, including education, steamboats, Civil War-era hat making, and Northumberland traditions. Some signs are designed with QR codes linking to additional information. The historical content was written by Shelly Ford and designed by Brecher Design Group.

Enhancing the appeal for younger visitors, some signs also feature “Ernestine’s Fun Facts,” starring Ernestine—the library’s mascot, who made her debut appearance at the park dedication to the delight of visitors.

The pocket park has fingerprints of the community through and through. The space is named in honor of Rives and Betsy Hardy, longtime residents of the Mundy Point area in Callao. The library recognized Rives Hardy as a steadfast supporter of the library and its bookstore, Ye Olde Book Shoppe, who has helped promote the mission throughout the county.

Naming the park after the Hardys recognizes their decades of advocacy, generosity, and dedication to the community, the NPL stated.

Another notable aspect of Hardy Community Park is how it was funded. The library did not request any money from Northumberland County. Instead, the project relied entirely on community donations and a grant from the Virginia Outdoor Foundation. Local residents and supporters contributed time, funds, and materials—turning the park into a true community-built space. Hardy Community Park is open during regular library hours.