About Parks & Recreation :: VBgov.com - City of Virginia Beach

About Parks & Recreation

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and protecting our coastal environment. We ensure all residents – regardless of their physical, social, and economic circumstances – can access our programs. Together, we are impacting the quality of life for our community by improving the physical and mental well-being of our residents.

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Experience the Fun with Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation manages 293 city park sites, more than 7,000 acres of parks and natural areas, seven community recreation centers, a municipal marina and an athletic complex. We offer year-round recreational opportunities that include aquatic, fitness and outdoor programs, therapeutic recreation programs, inclusion services, community events, and adult sports leagues. We are the largest childcare provider in the city, operating before and after school programs, early childhood programs, and day camps when school is out of session. Parks & Recreation also provides landscape management and maintenance for municipal buildings, public schools, park sites, and designated roadways.

Mission & Vision

Our vision is a balanced, sustainable and value-focused system of parks, recreation and public spaces that creates a sense of community.
Our mission is to:
   •   Deliver parks, recreation programs and public spaces that reflect the priorities of our community
   •   Support tiered levels of service that recognize the diverse needs of our community
   •   Focus on sustainability of core programs, services and facilities through efficient and effective business practices

Our Community Priorities

Ensure Community Access | Provide accessibility for all residents regardless of physical, economic and social circumstances
Protect the Environment | Take care of our natural resources while enabling our citizens and visitors to enjoy our outdoor environment
Promote Healthy Lifestyles | Enable our citizens and visitors to pursue healthy, active lifestyles
Steward Our Resources | Improve and maintain existing parks, playgrounds, recreation centers and facilities

Foundation, Boards & Commission

Foundation

The Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to support the City of Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation by raising funds, accepting gifts, and providing other resources to enhance existing programs, services, facilities, and technology.

In order to achieve Virginia Beach City Council’s Vision – "A Community for a Lifetime" – the foundation will cultivate the development of new programs, services, facilities, and technology, and the acquisition of open space areas (blueways and greenways) for active or passive recreation, parks, or preserves.

Commission

The Parks and Recreation Commission is a volunteer advisory group to the City Council, City Manager, and Director of Parks and Recreation. The Commission serves as a sounding board by holding public meetings and exercising influence throughout the City to improve and expand recreational opportunities.

The Commission meets at 4 pm, the first Thursday of each month at various sites throughout the City. The meetings are open to the public. Members are appointed by City Council for a three-year term.

Open Space Advisory Committee

The Open Space Advisory Committee was established by City Council in May 2001. The mission of this committee is to research and evaluate undeveloped properties throughout the City for possible acquisition to preserve as open space in support of the Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan. The Open Space Advisory Committee reports to the Parks & Recreation Commission and to City Council.

The members of the Open Space Advisory Committee provide guidance for the Virginia Beach Outdoors Plan open space acquisition initiative. To accomplish this initiative, Committee members have met monthly since June 2001 and have dedicated numerous hours to evaluate properties for possible acquisition by the City of Virginia Beach for open space preservation.

Open Space Advisory Committee meetings are held on the fourth Monday of every other month at 3 pm and are open to the public.

Bikeways & Trails Committee

The Bikeways and Trails Advisory Committee was established by City Council in April 2005. The mission of this committee is to serve in an advisory capacity to City Council with respect to the implementation of the Bikeways and Trails Plan and to coordinate the timely construction of bicycle facilities and trails in accordance with the priorities established, to promote a balanced approach between and among various trail users' interests, and to provide a forum for continued citizen input in the planning and programming of future bicycle facilities and trails.

The committee meets the 3rd Monday of every month at 3:30 pm in the Landscape Management building at 4141 Dam Neck Road. The public is welcome to attend. Please note: there will be no meeting in February, April, July or December 2017.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA, the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association. View the 2014 CAPRA Report.