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Parks & Recreation Newsletter | August 2012 | VBgov.com/Parks 
New Rec Center Will Open this Fall!  

Friday, October 26 | 4 pm | 5252 Learning Circle


Williams Farm Mark your calendar for the opening of Virginia Beach's newest recreation center, skate park and park! The ribbon cutting ceremony for Williams Farm Community Recreation Center and Park will be held at 4 pm, October 26. The recreation center and park are located off Newtown Road, between Diamond Spring and Newtown Elementary Schools.
 
The recreation center is a 71,000 square foot innovative facility like none other in Virginia Beach. The large, indoor pool features a water playground, 156-foot curving slide, rock climbing wall, current channel and an outdoor sprayground. Fitness enthusiasts will appreciate the spacious cardio, free weight and fitness class areas, as well as the indoor track which overlooks the pool and gym. Other features include an outdoor sport/play area, a multimedia area for teens, classrooms for our preschool programs, and meeting rooms.
 
Learn more about the Williams Farm Recreation Center and Park. Look for more detailed information in upcoming newsletters!
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Monday, September 3 is Labor Day.

Recreation Centers & Owl Creek Tennis Center will be closed. Parks and park facilities will remain open for your enjoyment!
Competitors Wanted for SK8R Bash! 

Saturday, October 20 | 8 am - 5:30 pm | Mount Trashmore Park
  

SK8R BashIt's back! Our action-packed skateboard competition at the 24,000 square foot Mount Trashmore Skate Park takes place Saturday, October 20. Complete with big airs, board grabs and other raw tricks, this contest runs alongside fun activities and rockin' live music. Registration is underway for anyone who wants to compete in the skateboard competition.
 

Competition Information

Registration Cost: $25
Event Day Registration: $30, if space is available

  • Helmets are required; elbow and knee pads are recommended
  • Applications accepted on first come, first serve basis until categories are full; space is limited
  • Registration status confirmed by email
  • Competitors receive contest t-shirt
  • Prizes in each category
  • Parents must sign for participants under age 18
  • Proof of age may be required
Contest Format

Each competitor will be given a :30 second intro-run, and then placed in a 10 - 20 person Jam Session. The competitors from each category will be placed in a final jam. Divisions and schedules are listed on the registration form. Sign up today! 

Bow Creek Closed for Modernization Project

 

Bow Creek Before ModernizationAugust 24 marked the bittersweet closure of Bow Creek Recreation Center as we've known it. The center will undergo a long-term modernization project over the next two years, with expected re-opening in fall 2014.

 

The majority of Bow Creek Recreation Center is more than 51 years old. Originally constructed in the 1960s as a club house for a private country club and golf course, the city acquired the property in 1975. At that time, the golf course was opened to the public, and the club house was converted into a recreation center. In 1991, the outdoor pool was enclosed for year-round use, and the facility was expanded to 36,782 square feet to incorporate an indoor gym and locker rooms. The decision to modernize was based on increased recreation center utilization and a 2009 condition assessment study that rated the overall condition as "poor."

 

Bow Creek After ModernizationThe New Bow Creek Recreation Center
The new recreation center will be approximately 66,000 square feet with amenities to include:
  • Indoor pool with play components and 25-yard lap lanes
  • 2-court indoor gymnasium
  • Expanded fitness areas
  • Weight room
  • Childcare classrooms with dedicated playground
  • Locker rooms with family changing areas

View site plans, floor plans and renderings of the new center here.

 
Impact to Patrons

The recreation center and neighborhood park will be closed during construction. The golf course, except for the driving range, will remain open for play. Construction of a temporary golf pro shop and cart barn is expected to be complete by January 2013. Demolition and construction of the new center will begin soon after. The new Bow Creek Recreation Center and neighborhood park is anticipated to open in fall 2014.

 

Thank you to all of you who have helped us create so many memories throughout the years. We look forward to creating many more in the new center! Bow Creek staff have relocated to other Virginia Beach Recreation Centers.View staff and program relocation plans here. 
Enjoy the Arts Outdoors at Artisans in the Park! 

September 8 & 9 | 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday & 10 am - 4 pm on Sunday | Great Neck Park  


Artisans in the ParkExplore the works of over 75 artists and craftsmen during the 37th annual Artisans in the Park, all in the serenely secluded backdrop of Great Neck Park. This two-day art and craft festival is now in September, offering you the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy Virginia Beach's early autumn weather while checking out the local and regional artists displaying, demonstrating and selling original art and fine craft wares.

 

Artists & Craftsmen

A variety of art and fine craft styles are represented, including pottery, metal and glass work, photography, jewelry, drawing and paintings, and sculpture. All work is of original design.
 

Main Stage Musical Performances

Saturday | 11 am & noon | Local singer/songwriter Rachel Rocheleau
Saturday | 2 pm & 3 pm | The Steve Daley Band


Sunday | 11 am & noon | Jazz saxophonist "Johnny J"
Sunday | 2 pm & 3 pm | Musical Group Zig Zag
 
A variety of food concessionaires will be selling delicious items including, hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage, pitas and more! Smoothies, lemonade, kettle corn, ice cream and even funnel cake will be available too.

  

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Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures 

 

Bow Creek Recreation Center is closed for a long-term modernization project. Expected re-opening is September 2014.

Great Neck Recreation Center will be closed through September 2 for annual maintenance. The pool will remain closed through September 9.
 

All Virginia Beach Recreation Centers and Owl Creek Tennis Center will be closed on Monday, September 3 for Labor Day. Parks remain open for your enjoyment.

  

Bayside Recreation Center will be closed September 10-16 for annual maintenance. The pool will remain closed through September 23. 

 

Kempsville Recreation Center will be closed September 24-30 for annual maintenance.

 

Princess Anne Recreation Center will be closed October 8-14 for annual maintenance. The pool will remain closed through October 21.

 

Don't forget that your membership is good at all six Virginia Beach Recreation Centers! If your usual center is closed for maintenance, take the opportunity to visit another center. Use this locator to help you find one!

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation believes all of our diverse citizens have a right to participate in community recreation and we are committed to creating equal access for everyone who may have a challenge or barrier. If your child requires additional support, we can help.  Learn more about our accommodation and inclusion services.
We welcome your comments and questions.  Feel free to email us at fun@vbgov.com.
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Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.