Summer Fun, Civic Input Mark Final Week Before School
TL;DR: Chesterfield County residents make the most of the final summer week with recreation and parks, while transportation meetings address road improvements and a planned roundabout before school resumes Monday.
Quick facts
- Who: Chesterfield County residents, Transportation Department
- What: Summer recreation continues; virtual and in-person transportation meetings; school resumes
- When: Through August 24-25, 2026
- Where: County parks, libraries, Chesterfield Career and Technical Center, Historic Castlewood, Midlothian Middle School
The story
Chesterfield County residents can enjoy one last week of summer recreation and civic engagement this week, with school slated to resume next Monday.
Parks and recreation programs continue through the weekend. The county operates splash pads at Beulah Park and The Park at River City Sportsplex (13030 Genito Road), both open free to the public. Chesterfield County Public Libraries remain available during regular hours (Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The Latino Farmers Market holds its final Saturday of the season this weekend from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center (13900 Hull Street Road), featuring local vendors and small businesses.
History comes alive Saturday at Historic Castlewood with a Continental Army training event (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The property will be interpreted as it appeared in 1780-1781, when it served as a training barracks for Virginia recruits during the American Revolution. Visitors can tour the house and grounds, see musket demonstrations, and learn about Chesterfield's Revolutionary War history through newly installed interpretive signage.
The county will hold two transportation meetings before summer ends. On Monday, the Chesterfield Transportation Department hosts a virtual session to discuss the Otterdale Road at Swift Creek Drainage Project, a 47 million dollar initiative being funded through the county's 300 million dollar transportation bond. The project involves constructing a 1/3-mile multispan bridge, raising the roadway 10 to 15 feet, and adding drainage enhancements and a sidewalk. The bridge is designed to withstand a 100-year storm without overtopping the road.
On Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Transportation holds a public hearing at Midlothian Middle School (13501 Midlothian Turnpike) to present plans for a roundabout at Alverser Drive and Old Buckingham Road. The project will include a sidewalk on the northeast quadrant, with construction anticipated to begin in 2028. Residents can submit written comments by 5 p.m. Monday, August 31.
Chesterfield County Public Schools begin the 2026-2027 school year Monday, August 24, for grades 1 through 5, grade 6, grade 9, and Group A Pre-K and Kindergarten. Grades 7 and 8, along with high school grades 10 through 12, start Tuesday, August 25. Pre-K and Kindergarten students have staggered entry over August 24-27, with all attending daily beginning August 28.
Key players
- Chesterfield County Transportation Department: Hosts meetings on Otterdale Road and Alverser Drive projects
- Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation: Operates summer recreation facilities and Latino Farmers Market
- Chesterfield County Public Schools: Resumes instruction August 24-25
Key dates
- 2026-08-17: Final weekend of summer recreation
- 2026-08-17: Latino Farmers Market final Saturday (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
- 2026-08-17: Continental Army training event at Historic Castlewood (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- 2026-08-18: Otterdale Road virtual transportation meeting
- 2026-08-19: Alverser Drive roundabout public hearing at Midlothian Middle School (6-7:30 p.m.)
- 2026-08-24: School year begins (grades 1-5, 6, 9, and Group A Pre-K/Kindergarten)
- 2026-08-25: School year begins (grades 7-8 and 10-12)
Why it matters: Residents have one final week to enjoy summer activities before students return to classrooms, and county transportation projects address ongoing flooding issues on Otterdale Road and plan infrastructure improvements at a key intersection.
Places
- Beulah Park
- The Park at River City Sportsplex
- Chesterfield Career and Technical Center
- Historic Castlewood
- Midlothian Middle School
- Otterdale Road
- Swift Creek
- Alverser Drive
- Old Buckingham Road
Development timeline
- 2026-08-17Latino Farmers Market final Saturday: Final Saturday of the season, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Chesterfield Career and Technical Center (13900 Hull Street Road) [source]
- 2026-08-17Continental Army training event at Historic Castlewood: Revolutionary War reenactment and demonstration, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., interpreting the property as a 1780-1781 training barracks [source]
- 2026-08-18Virtual transportation meeting on Otterdale Road project: Discussion of 47 million dollar drainage improvements at Otterdale Road and Swift Creek [source]
- 2026-08-19Public hearing on Alverser Drive roundabout project: Transportation presents plans for roundabout at Alverser Drive and Old Buckingham Road, 6-7:30 p.m. at Midlothian Middle School; written comments due August 31 [source]
- 2026-08-24School year begins for most grades: First day for grades 1-5, 6, 9, and Group A Pre-K/Kindergarten [source]
- 2026-08-25School year begins for secondary grades: First day for grades 7-8 and 10-12 [source]
Related links
- Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation
- Chesterfield County Public Library
- Latino Farmer's Market of Virginia
- Otterdale Road at Swift Creek Drainage Project
- Alverser Drive at Old Buckingham Road Roundabout
- Chesterfield County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027
Read the original at Chesterfield County (YouTube) →
Sources
- Otterdale Road at Swift Creek Drainage Project
- Alverser Drive at Old Buckingham Road Roundabout
- Latino Farmers Market changing locations
- Continental Army Barracks, Hospital and Manufactory
- Chesterfield County Public Schools Calendar 2026-2027
- Chesterfield debuts new park with splash pad