Rudee Park Design Progress: Finalizing the Park’s Vision

Virginia Beach City Council and the community heard from the park designers during the Oct. 20 City Council meeting. 

Realizing the Design 

Following the approval of the master plan concept in 2025, City staff and the Dills Architects team have been working on developing the construction documents for Rudee Park. 

The 60% design documents were submitted in August and are under internal review with City staff and the Planning Department. These design documents are intended to refine the layout, determine utility needs and eventually provide cost estimates for the final build.  

The 90% design documents are scheduled to be submitted by the end of the year, followed by the final design in early 2027. 

The design process turns the conceptual plans and renderings into engineered construction documents, which place and size the park elements into their real-world locations. The final construction plans will remain true to the spirit of the master plan while making accommodations for physical space constraints, access needs and various code requirements.

Design Considerations 

Rudee Park is being designed not only as a destination park, but also as part of the larger Oceanfront Resort Area and city.  

The project team is coordinating with a wide range of City departments and stakeholders to balance recreation, operations, maintenance, emergency access, special events, beach management and future coastal resilience needs.  

This collaborative approach is helping refine the design while maintaining the major features included in the approved master plan, including the Beach Village, Community Lawn, Nature Play Area, Picnic Grove and Event Pavilion.  

Park Fundraising 

The City has partnered with the Virginia Gentlemen Foundation to raise private funds through sponsorships and philanthropy to support the construction and long-term success of Rudee Park.  

Current efforts are focused on laying the foundation for a successful campaign, including establishing fundraising processes, defining the roles of project partners, developing campaign messaging and identifying strategic naming opportunities.  

Preliminary outreach to prospective supporters has begun to build awareness and gauge interest in the project. A broader public campaign will kick-off in 2027 with donor commitments expected to be pledged over a period of up to five years. 

What’s Next 

The current project timeline anticipates construction beginning in late fall 2027 and lasting for about two years. 

Permits will be obtained for construction-related activities, along with street closures and park activities such as food trucks on the premises. These actions will require a vote by City Council, likely sometime in mid-2027. 

Additionally, a conservancy is in early-stage development to handle the long-term management of the park including governance, fundraising, establishing operating budgets and identifying future funding sources. 

As part of the budget process, City Council will have to approve and authorize the creation and scope of the conservancy, as well as identify funding a position to manage the philanthropic campaign, establish a conservancy board of directors and develop policies.

A recording of the presentation to City Council will be available on the City’s YouTube channel and a copy of the presentation is available in the City Council document archives (eDocs).  

To learn more about the Rudee Park project, please visit VirginiaBeach.gov/RudeePark.  

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