Welcome to Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

Get ready to discover the incredible wonders of Virginia Beach with Parks & Recreation. Get lost in a world of outdoor fun, with swimming, fishing, hiking, and biking surrounded by Virginia's breathtaking natural beauty.

Take your wellness journey to the next level at our seven cutting-edge recreational centers, where you can unleash your inner athlete in state-of-the-art fitness centers or make a splash in our indoor pools and aquatics facilities. With an exciting array of programs and activities for everyone, Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation offers unforgettable experiences that will create legendary memories for a lifetime.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation - Gold Medal Finalist 2023 Video
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RFP Lease and Operation of Pickleball Facility

The City of Virginia Beach is accepting bids from qualified organizations whose primary business is the promotion and operation of pickleball facilities to manage the Pickleball Virginia Beach facility (formerly Owl Creek Tennis Center).

RFP Information

Recreation Centers

Your place to move, sweat and thrive with VB Parks & Rec.

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Parks & Outdoors

Fresh air, scenic views, and plenty of ways to explore. Find your next outdoor adventure.

Get Outside

Programs & Events

From summer camps to community fun, there's always something happening nearby.

Browse Activities

Explore Our Parks

Discover hidden gems and local favorites with the free VB ParkFinder app.

Discover Our Parks

Seasonal Activity Guide

The Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Seasonal Activity Guide is your go-to source for programs, events, and activities for all ages. From fitness and sports to nature programs, arts, and family fun, there's something for everyone each season.

2023 NRPA Gold Medal Winners

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation (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 (NRPA), at the NRPA Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas. VBPR won Gold in the Class I category, the largest category, for cities with populations over 400,000.

Founded in 1965, the National Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long‐range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. Applications are separated into six classes, with five classes based on population and one class for armed forces.

Parks & Recreation News

  • October 30, 2025

    Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation to Host Third Annual Autumn in the Air Festival

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  • June 25, 2025

    Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Awarded $23.8M for Phase 4 of VB Trail

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  • June 11, 2025

    Red Wing Park Reopens June 14 Following Roadway Improvements

    Just in time for summer, popular Virginia Beach park opens with traffic improvements.

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  • June 3, 2025

    Virginia Beach Parks After Dark Program Returns for Year 3

    Now lighting up Williams Farm, Level Green and Green Run with free family fun!

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Parks & Recreation Blog

  • December 19, 2025

    The Ripple Effect: Bow Creek Stormwater Park Update — Protecting Neighborhoods While Rebuilding Nature

    Phase II is being designed with additional stormwater storage and park amenities. 

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  • December 19, 2025

    E-bikes 101: A Safety Checklist for Parents

    If you purchase an e-bike this holiday season, make sure riders understand how to operate it safely, legally and responsibly.

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  • December 2, 2025

    It’s the Holiday Season in Virginia Beach

    Festive events scheduled for December are sure to get you in the holiday spirit and bring lots of good cheer!

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Accredited by CAPRA

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA, the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association. CAPRA stands for the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies.

But what does that actually mean? It means that our Parks & Recreation Department is meeting, or exceeding, standards maintained by park and recreation leaders and strengthening the value of the programs, facilities, and experiences provided to our community.