Nestled away in Northside, east of Bryan Park, the Pine Camp Cultural Arts Center packs a lot of programs into a relatively small space.

The community center is surrounded by playgrounds, athletic fields, and green space. There are native plant gardens and three basketball courts, as well as a mile-long nature trail and a senior fitness trail.

Much of what Pine Camp offers, however, lies within the colorful, one-story building in the middle of the complex. The center offers facilities including dance studios, a theater, and weaving, art, and pottery studios. It also has extensive programming like youth theater productions and short film contests.

Though its art programs are what set Pine Camp apart, it somehow sneaks even more to do into its one-building campus. The space features a game room, a computer lab and a multi-purpose room for community use. Throughout the year, Pine Camp offers sports and outdoor programs, opportunities for senior citizens, and an after-school "Fun Klub." In the summertime, it hosts art camps, workshops, and plenty of other community-oriented activities.

Pine Camp's campus also features a sculpture garden. | Photo by RICtoday

Next time you're on the north side of town and looking for a trail to wander or a place to see some local art, Pine Camp Community Center is just around the corner. Keep up with its full docket of programming on the center's Facebook page.

This article is part of our "Know Your City" series, where we take a closer look at a hidden gem in Richmond. We're always looking for more suggestions for hidden gems across the Richmond area. Tell us your favorites.