- Manages 273 city park sites, 7,491 acres of parks and natural areas, six community recreation centers, a tennis center and a municipal marina?

- Provides landscape maintenance for roadways (including mowing and maintaining 155 linear miles of divided highways), public buildings, the Municipal Center, the resort area, Town Center, public spaces, parks and public school sites?

- Serves 3,600 children every day in our before and after school programs?

- Represents just 3% of the entire city operating budget?

Saturdays & Sundays, November 2-3 & 16-17 | Kempsville Recreation Center

Get a jump on your holiday shopping this weekend at the 35th Annual Santa's Stocking Old Fashioned Craft Bazaar at Kempsville Recreation Center. Shop among 100 different vendors selling everything from stocking stuffers and holiday decor to painted artwork and handmade jewelry, all at budget-friendly prices! The event runs from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. And mark your calendar for the bazaar's second weekend, November 16-17, with all new vendors!

Bring the kids to meet with Santa from 11-2 on Saturdays and 1-4 on Sundays. Visits are free; professional photo packages are available for purchase.  

This annual event offers free admission and parking at Kempsville Recreation Center, located at 800 Monmouth Lane (off Kempsville Road). Food concessions will be available for purchase both weekends.

Add Weekend 1 or  Weekend 2

Whether you are looking for a place to hold your outdoor wedding, family reunion, child's birthday party, or a tournament, we've got the locations to accommodate your event! Reservations for 2014 can be made beginning on November 1. Reserve early to secure your space! 

If you're planning an outdoor event or gathering, consider hosting it in one of our beautiful city parks. Reserve a picnic shelter and enjoy the serenity and amenities of the park surrounded by your friends and family! Picnic shelters are available in the following parks: Bayville Farms, City View, Great Neck, Little Island, Mount Trashmore, Munden Point, Red Wing and Woodstock Park. Shelter sizes range from eight to twelve tables and all shelters have grills for charcoal cooking.

 

Host a Tournament  

Lighted park ballfields available for rent include Bayville Farms Park, Lynnhaven Park, Oceana Park, Red Mill Park & Rosemont Forest Park. Tournament facilities available for rent include the ball fields and multipurpose fields at City View Park and the Princess Anne Athletic Complex.   

 

Enjoy Your Child's Birthday Party

Leave the headaches of planning your child's next birthday party to us! You can enjoy the party and we'll handle the details. Our recreation centers offer a variety of party options for children age 1 through 12. From pool parties to rock climbing parties, your child's experience is sure to be a memorable one!  

 

Rent a Room in a Recreation Center

Whether you need to host a meeting or a reception, we have a space available to accommodate your guests. With six locations throughout the city, our recreation centers are a convenient choice for your group. Room options vary by center. Pool and gym rentals are also available.

We're finalizing this year's schedule and counting down the days 'til registration opens on November 15. Save the date because spots will fill fast! Check the festival website for trip details. 

This year's event will be held January 24 - 26 and will feature educational workshops, outdoor excursions, children's activities and an exhibit hall at Princess Anne Recreation Center.

Past participant or recreation center member?

Registration will be available online through EZreg. To register through EZreg, you will need your client barcode and family PIN. If you do not have this information, you can visit any recreation center or contact the Outdoor Programs office at (757) 385-4461 or outdoors@vbgov.com prior to the registration start date. In-person and mail-in registration will also be available.

New participant? 

Looking for a new park to explore? Want to find a basketball or tennis court? Try out Park Finder, a tool that allows you to search for a city park by name, location and/or amenities. Search results display both in a list and on a map, and selecting a park allows you to view details including address, amenities, hours and driving directions.

You can use Park Finder on your desktop computer, laptop, tablet and on most smartphones. We've added a link for Park Finder on our homepage, or you can go directly to VBgov.com/ParkFinder. 

We'd love to hear your feedback! Email fun@VBgov.com and let us know what you think.