Five Reasons to Give the Gift of Recreation in 2024

Take a look at the role Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation has had in our community over the past year.

A comment often heard at Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation, is that the city's parks and recreation centers are one of main reasons people love living here. It's why every team member strives every day to promote healthy lifestyles, protect our open spaces and coastal spaces, bring people together and create legendary experiences.

Overall, VBPR was a community hub for those effected by extreme weather events; VBPR staff hosted thousands of residents and guests at festivals, programs and events hosted at our parks, local schools, and recreation centers; and the success story of VBPR promoted an environment for learning and education.

As we head into 2024, take a look back on the role that the city’s nearly 300 parks and seven recreation facilities have played in the lives of so many throughout 2023.

2023 NRPA Gold Medal Winners

VBPR was named the 2023 National Gold Medal Award winner for excellence in Parks and Recreation Management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, in partnership with National Recreation and Park Association in the Class I category, for cities with populations over 400,000.

Fall Fanatics Challenge Motivates 860 Members to Check-in 19,000+ Times

Over 860 participants scanned in 19,000+ times to work out and win prizes between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30. All earned limited edition t-shirts including 323 (37%) who qualified for gym bags and one participant won the Fitbit Sense 2 raffle. Most participants, 32%, checked in at Kempsville followed by Bayside with 14%.

Launched Parks After Dark Summer Series

In collaboration with the Mayors Youth Violence Prevention Task Force, the Police Department, Virginia Beach City Public Schools and community organizations, VBPR launched a free, family-friendly summer events series with live music, outdoor movies, lawn games, video game tournaments and local food trucks.

Groundbreaking of Bow Creek Stormwater Park

VBPR is a key partner in a $68 million “Stormwater Park” project to ease recurrent flooding in a vulnerable area that’s home to nearly 4,000 residents. This 100-acre, City-owned golf course will be converted into a resilient park designed to contain storm water during major floods. The park will offer multi-use trails, sports courts, a kayak launch and scenic areas.

Give the Gift of Parks & Recreation’s Legendary Membership

For only $112, a Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation annual membership offers one year of access to all seven locations, unlimited group fitness classes, indoor pools, walking tracks, open gym, drop-in childcare, and so much more!

VBPR looks forward to an exciting year ahead in 2024 as the department continues to bring its vision to life as the national leader in providing enriching and memorable lifelong experiences for all.