Great place to get cardio done! Or just enjoy a cup of coffee from a local coffee shop in the area…read morelike Cure. They have benches near the water to relax. I believe it is 10.5 mile urban trail on the water! Great way to explore the beauty that Norfolk has to offer! Bike, run or walk and enjoy being a local tourist!

The ERT at the Larchmont Library has been undergoing some updates which added a bench and an ADA…read morecompliant picnic table. New signage and newly paved paths were installed.

I recently stumbled upon this quaint little neighborhood park in the Larchmount neighborhood of…read moreNorfolk. I have now enjoyed lunch with the kids a few times now and have really fallen in love with it's beauty. The description has this as a Dog Park, but it is not. However, it is a dog friendly park if the pooch is on a leash. The park is located directly behind ODU's Foreman Field and among small 1950-1960's residential homes. The current space has been utilized for a recreation area for a number of years, but the park as it exist today with it's playground equipment is around 10 years old. The entire area is shady which is a parents dream. Parking is off street only. I consider the area to be completely safe. The grounds are enclosed with an attractive black aluminum fence. A short run to the back is a tall wooden privacy fence. There are two gates with both having child safety locks. Bottom line is this is a secure play are for small children with great visual lines of sight to watch the kids enjoying themselves. I found the park spotless and grassy portion well manicured on my times visiting. There is a single trash can which is maintained by the city of Norfolk. Let's talk equipment, because it's cool. The central playground is a pirate ship. The second one has a slide and curly pole. There are also two sets of swings and one is for a toddler. I would consider the top age range for the playground to be 10-12. The ground cover around the equipment is mulch. A huge shaded grassy area for recreation is to the back. I consider this one of the best things about the park. There are some limitations to the park that anyone visiting should be aware of. However, keep in perspective this is a small neighborhood park. Only a few benches and a few tables are available to families. There is enough room for a small shelter and grills, but they do not have them. Also absent is a restroom facility and water fountain. So don't forget to bring something for the little ones to keep hydrated. I usually would not give a park a four without upgraded items like shelter and restrooms. This property is in another class with it being a neighborhood park in my opinion. I am sure this property is such a treasure for the neighborhood. I just could not help but fall in love with Bluestone Park when I first laid eyes on it and I think you will agree.

This park has no paved walkways, no picnic shelters or grills. It has a couple of benches, one…read moretable and the playground. The rest of the area is open space and wooded areas.

It's not often that you stumble on a sanctuary. Over three years ago that's exactly what occurred…read morewhen I had a a meeting at nearby Norfolk Southern. Since this time I have volunteered for clean up days and posted pictures. However, I could not bring myself to write a review that would bring attention and traffic to the garden oasis. However the sanctuary needs your support with an aging volunteer staff and a long list of maintenance items. The 3 acre plot was gifted to Cape Henry Audubon Society in 70's by Norfolk & Southern RR. The Weyanoke Caretaker is 76 yr old Woody and he can still swing a mean ax, or saw a log without machinery. Woody is just one of the many volunteers that maintain the grounds, provide tours and provide programming. So what to expect if you visit without a tour. There are park benches, a creek, a marsh overlook, trails and a meadow to enjoy. Many of the plantings are labeled. With a tour you will learn about the Cape Henry Audubon Society's Mission at Weyanoke. Birds and plants will be highlighted and a discussion on the environment and how to protect our precious resources. School groups can schedule tours. A nature walk occurs the third Saturday of the month at 9 AM and last approximately an hour. Donna has led several tours I've been on and is a knowledgeable guide. The location is in West Ghent Norfolk. The gardens are adjacent to the neighborhood. The address when plugged in could act a bit funky but it's correct as it leads you through residential properties. Parking is a half block away at Jeff Robertson Park. Nicky's Gate is secret passage way for locals and volunteers. The gate is kept unlocked if you are lucky enough to locate. If you do find it keep the gate closed at all times. Bike trails run across the side of the property and connect to adjacent trails by nearby Jeff Robertson park. The trails are part of the Elizabeth River Trail Network that run for miles in Norfolk. Biking is not permitted in the park. There are no trash cans inside the sanctuary for debris. Just outside the fenced in area there is a barrel for use of trash. Please take out any trash you find and be a good stewart of the sanctuary. Pets are prohibited in the gardens. Hours are 9-6 during the weekend. Winter months they close at 5. Staff is on the property but, no official tours per se. Consider opportunities to volunteer your time and expertise for Spring clean up and planting. Information is on their website. Or contact Mike Schoen 757-364-9406. There are projects going on year around. Ball is now in your court to enjoy a small piece of heaven in suburbia.

Finally got to check this place out. We run and bike past all the time. Really cool little wildlife…read moresanctuary right in the middle of Norfolk. Took the kids and walked around the trails. We got about 3/4 of a mile out of the looping wandering paths but you could wander more. We saw birds and squirrels and lots of plants. I want to come back in the spring when the flowers are blooming. There's a porta pottie if you need to go. Follow GPS and go bast the fence for parking. Totally free!

Any park that I as an adult can enjoy sliding on get a five star rating from me…read more Okay maybe not all of them but this one does earn it for sure Located beside the Windsor library and near the school this is a prime spot for a cute park It does have safety features like a fence and security cameras The equipment is well kept and there is a field of clovers good luck finding a four leaf :) They even have some art work painted on the fence I will definitely bring my little friends here anytime I'm driving through

Small park but perfect to get the energy out of littles. There are swings, a dirt digger, and…read moretypical slides. There isn't much shade but there is a small pavilion called Windsor Station. Park was a little worn out but clean.

Fort Nelson Park (FNP) is a very small park in Portsmouth, next to the Portsmouth Naval Hospital…read more(PNH), on the corner of Crawford and Effingham Streets. While it might be a little park (±3.36-acres), it does have some attributes such as a large, grassy field and many historical markers to peruse. There are benches throughout, but no picnic tables or restrooms. However, it is good place to walk the dogs. The historical markers are the most interesting thing about PNH; Fort Nelson was built at the site where the PNH stands. The fort was constructed in 1776, during the Revolutionary War. Three years later, the British destroyed most of it. At one time, Benedict Arnold occupied the fort and it was rebuilt; it was even used during the Civil War. If you are at the hospital and need a break outside, it's just a short walk to FNP. I recommend reading the historical marks and relaxing on a bench--just make sure you don't need a bathroom.

There are no bathrooms, no playground swing sets, this plot of land is more of a walkable history…read morelesson with a couple informative signs & a few Naval warship items throughout. You've got some massive screws (props, propellers = screws), a pretty cool desert sand painted gun that we would expect to see on a destroyer & nice, clean & wide pathways to walk or ride thru the park on. It's a nice, clean & quiet with a few park benches to relax on & watch the sun setting behind the Naval Hospital. If you have base access, there's a big field in the back beyond the gym that you can really get a great view of the setting sun from, but if not, Fort Nelson Park will do.

Dismal Swamp State Park has a lot of history. The State Park is in its own section, just down from…read morethe Welcome Center. After you find a place to park, you need to check in with the ranger at the booth, and then you can open the gate to walk across the bridge. From there you can either go on the walking trails or visit the museum building. I just went into the building as I wanted to see the Underground Railroad exhibit but there was just one storyboard so not quite what I expected. I did appreciate the audio of Moses Grandy reading his book. The Great Dismal Swamp was dug by hand by slaves. It was about a million acres when built but now is much smaller. It became part of the Underground Railroad for those going north but was also a place where a community formed as it was easy to hide in the ruggedness and the swamp provided a lot of resources. The exhibits are in the lobby and two rooms and provided a lot of information. The Great Dismal Swamp is in North Carolina and Virginia and is home to wildlife; birds, insects reptiles, trees and plants. 97 species live in the swamp today and 43 species of butterflies. Native Americans first lived there. They lost the land to European settlers. George Washington was one of many that wanted to drain the swamp but the canal was built instead. The 22 mile canal went from Chesapeake VA to South Mills NC. Barges took supplies and people from one end to the other. The canal system stopped being used when railroads started as they were more efficient. I highly recommend checking out this State Park.

I was born and raised near the Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge. I have a love/fear relationship with…read morenature, especially the swamp. I know to expect the unexpected when it comes to navigating the swamp. You may encounter mosquitoes, snakes, a bear--or all three. I had visited the Dismal Swamp State Park as a teenager, but I spent most of my visit on the water. I enjoyed revisiting the park as an adult, and I have to admit I was a bit relieved to hop on the wagon ride. It was a nice way to enjoy being in nature amongst the wildlife without the fear of walking up on any of the animal friends. I also enjoyed learning from the tour guide, especially about the history of moonshine and bootlegging in the past. There were other trails to walk, but they warned visitors that snakes were out, so I decided to pass.

Best rink in Virginia! Suffolk got really lucky getting a new rink this year! It even has a…read moretrampoline park!

I've been Sail Nauticus member since moving to the area 5 years ago. This is the best kept secret…read morein Norfolk. A GREAT, very active community and a very affordable way to learn to sail and get out on the beautiful Elizabeth River. There are orgaized events several times every week and many trained skippers who LOVE to introduce new members to sailling. Reach out to them (they have an active facebook page) and get out on the water today - you will not regret it

Awesome experience sailing in the harbor. What a great way to experience the area and support a…read moregreat organization. Have a friend who's a member/instructor and she took my family out on an tour/lesson of the area. My kids crewed the larger sailboat which was much bigger and more stable than the one's I had tried as a college student back in California. Beautiful location in marina and great charity organization to teach kids to sail targeting middle schoolers of which my kids happen to be.