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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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

  • 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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  • May 29, 2025

    Dedication Ceremony for Louis R. Jones Bayside Recreation Center to Take Place June 6

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  • May 25, 2025

    Mount Trashmore Summer Carnival Closed Indefinitely

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Parks & Recreation Blog

  • June 18, 2025

    Ready to Launch: New Kayak Kiosk Open at Stumpy Lake Natural Area

    Kiosks also available at Munden Point Park and Lake Lawson/Lake Smith Natural Area.

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  • June 10, 2025

    Party at the Pier Returns to Little Island Park for Three-Night Series

    Free beachside fun hosted by Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is set for June 17, June 19 and July 17.

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  • June 2, 2025

    Parks After Dark: Summer Program Offers Fun for Everyone

    Free program expands to two new locations in 2025, servicing the Level Green and Green Run communities.

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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.