Lafayette Park continues to be a sad park even with monthly volunteer efforts to keep it clean. On…read moremy recent visit debris was scattered from one end of this 7+ acre park to the next. I participated in clean up for two days in the Fall. I have been a volunteer for city parks for years. There is so much potential here with beautiful grounds, even new play equipment and shelters. The grounds are maintained by City of Norfolk. The location is in front of the Virginia Zoo and they have there own parking. Unfortunately a large homeless element can be seen early mornings and later in the evening so be aware. Not a park I now frequent with older children, but an option for many Norfolk residents since it's one off the largest.

I have been visiting Lafayette Park since I was a kid growing up in the 60's and 70's. The park is…read morewell maintained and usually clean. They have plenty of activities for children and adults to enjoy from playing basketball to just enjoying a quiet walk around the park. The park offers grilling areas set up for family cookouts that are well sheltered against the elements. If you are looking for a wonderful place to spend some time getting away from the fast pace of every day life, do yourself a favor and visit Lafayette Park in Norfolk.

Nice toddler and children park, it's well kept, trash cans, picnic tables, boat launch , lots of…read moreswings, lots of grass area for children to run. Porta potty on site. Ample parking . I have been here several times and it's never crowded, usually only on or two other families. We really like this park! Just wish there was an actual bathroom . Update: park is open. Park was empty besides park workers taking their lunch break in the parking lot. No children at the playground. Park is still well kept. Park is not covered so depending on time of day, the sun beats down intensely. Picnic tables are accessible, drinking fountain is also available as well as a spot to refill your water bottle. They have a small area to exercise on the metal bars provided. Two porta potties on site. The side trail is somewhat overgrown now covering some of the path, luckily there are plenty of branches that can be used as a walking stick to move the overgrown shrubs out of the way.

I love it here! I…read morehaven't visited this park in years. And I must say, when I visited last I do not remember it looking as it did when I visited about a month ago. I toured the park on an early evening during the week. I am looking to host an event here soon and figured I'd check it out first before reserving. One must contact Parks & Rec to reserve the shelters located here. There is a huge shelter towards the back of the park that looks to be perfect for a party size of 100 or less. The park is beautiful. There is a body of water in which one can sit or stand and enjoy the views. Super quiet and I love it. There is also an area in which one can exercise by following the posted exercises in a sand pit. I love this feature! There is a playground for the younger and older children. Swings are even featured here! I love the swings :) This park isn't super huge but I think it's a great size and you are lucky if you are the only one renting a shelter... it's small enough to feature an intimate setting... like a private party but you only rented one shelter. Parking seems decent. I think 20 cars can fit into the parking lot without worry but if more start to show up, this could be a problem. I am not sure if overflow parking is nearby. There is a narrow street leading to the park so one may be able to park on one side of the street... if not...not sure what the back up plan is. I'd say there are plenty of trees at this park so shaded areas are definitely present. At least one grill is located near each of the three shelters. I'd recommend you visit this hidden jewel in Chesapeake. I'm looking forward to returning soon. Have fun and enjoy life :)

I've walked passed Cape Story Park for years when walking the Cape Henry Trail…read more Today was really cool with the unseasonable warm weather and timing of kids out of school. It was busy! So what's at Cape Story Park to enjoy? A full basketball court and a play area with swings. Also space to play a pickup football game that I witnessed today. What makes the park a four star is location off the trail. It's absolutely ideal for nearby residents. It's not a park I would recommend unless walking the trail as there is no parking. 3.5, rounding up.

I am impressed by this nearby city park. I had no idea this was even here until we moved into…read moreShadowlawn a few months ago and it's a pleasant surprise. It's much larger than I expected and I love the dog park, large green area with the small three children's play areas, paved bike/running trails and the entire area. It's very big and there are several walking/hiking trails inside the main portion of the park spanning several miles and meandering through a wooded area that follows the marsh. It's well-kept and has multiple entrances from the Shadowlawn neighborhoods. -The entrance from VA Ave has a very small parking lot and then street parking. -The entrance from Indian Rd. has a much larger parking lot with plenty of space and opens to the large, green field with 3 separate play areas for toddlers with climbing sculptures in the shape of frogs and caterpillars. Really cute and has a pavilion and circular paved trail around it. -The entrance from Marshview Dr. has a small lot and this is where the dog park area is as well. Two tennis courts here across the street which are part of a small playground/tennis complex called Salt Marsh Park. Last weekend I finally went for a hike inside and covered about 1/3rd of the likable/walkable space. It's gorgeous! It's also neat bc they have it set up for trail bike riding and it's very well marked and laid-out. I came upon some beautiful areas for sitting and enjoying the view. If you haven't ventured here yet you should give it a try - actually pretty impressive in size and option for a neighborhood co-located park.

100 acres of beautiful trees, paths, dog park and 2 different playground areas. What a fun park…read more Loads of mature beautiful trees and they have areas that are grassy for kids to run and play. Lots of dogs at this park. I LOVE dogs.2 Different playgrounds. The playground area was my favorite. There were no kids so we explored the playground. Huge size. It was awesome. So their playgrounds are spread out. They have one at the area where you park your vehicle. You walk or ride your bike a ways turn right into another area . Nice size grass area to run and play and then 3 sections of little whimsical play areas. Frog area, Caterpillar area, and turtle area. Really nice paved walk ways with these beautiful little bridges. Dog park, People and Pet friendly. Wheel chair and stroller friendly. Great for bikes. They even have a station for bike repair and to pump up your tires. EXCELLENT for us we love riding our bikes. This is such a lovely area we were just riding our bikes around and found it. We love it. It has a lot to offer and it is very well kept

Plaza Methodist Park is a busy, small neighborhood park. It has a playground and small field. The…read morepark is mostly clean overall but tends to have a small to moderate amount of litter that seems to be worse during the school year. 2.5* rounding up. -- The Playground -- The playground area with wood chip mulch is best for elementary school aged children. The equipment is in generally good condition; with close supervision it's good for younger children (note that there are large gaps in the openings along the playground system), and those who are a bit older congregate or toss a football, etc in the field. There are baby/toddler swings, one intermediate swing, and regular swings. There's also a teeter-totter. The playground is in full sun. -- Benches & Pavilions -- There is one pavilion with one picnic table beneath it. There is one trash can not far from it. There are a couple benches along the perimeter of the playground. -- Walking Areas -- There are no paths or walking areas within the park, although you could wander around the small field or walk along the sidewalk that runs along 3 sides of the park. -- Sporting Equipment -- There are no other equipment options other than the playground. -- Amenities -- There are no toilet amenities, so not ideal for a long visit. -- Parking -- There is a parking lot owned by Light of Hope United Methodist Church. I've parked there for short visits without issue, but there is a sign saying towing enforced. -- Things to Note -- During peak times, it's usually very busy with kids. It's right across from an apartment complex and across from Lynnhaven Elementary and the Church offers childcare, so it's convenient for a lot of families. Other than the parking lot, the perimeter of the park is all neighborhood streets just off of S Plaza Trail. There is no fence or physical boundary between the park and roads, but there is a sidewalk. It's not too close to water, so mosquitoes aren't much of an issue. -- Takeaways -- This is an average centrally located neighborhood park. The main attraction is its playground. If you are in the area and there's no longer a pandemic going on, it's worth a visit particularly not during the school year, but during the school year there seems to be a lot of people passing through and littering. You may want to make a project out of cleaning up the park (bring gloves and a trash bag). I wouldn't suggest traveling out of your way for it though, and right now with the need for social distancing, I prefer to try to frequent less busy parks.

it's peaceful, parents and their kids come for practice. there is a lot of trails too.read more

WB Park has a lot to offer. Tennis courts (4), pickle ball courts (2), soccer fields, dog park,…read moreplayground - so much fun outdoors for all to enjoy. Need a breath of fresh air, check it out!

Lamplight Manor Park is a quiet, small neighborhood park. It has a playground and small field. The…read morepark is mostly clean overall. -- The Playground -- The playground area with wood chip mulch is best for elementary school aged children. The equipment is in moderately to very worn condition; it's been identified as one of the next parks that VB Parks & Rec will update. With close supervision it's good for younger children (note that there are gaps in the openings along the playground system). There are baby/toddler swings and regular swings (all of which creak). The playground is in full sun to partial shade depending on time of day. -- Benches & Pavilions -- There is one pavilion with one picnic table beneath it. There is one trash can not far from it. There are 4 benches along the perimeter of the playground. -- Walking Areas -- There are no paths or paved walking areas within the park (other than from the street to the pavilion), although you could wander around the very small wooded area beyond the playground or the small field. The park's field seems to extend to the left behind the houses. -- Sporting Equipment -- There are no other equipment options other than the playground. The basketball courts that were once there were torn down, leaving only the concrete (possibly good for chalk activities). -- Amenities -- There are no toilet amenities, so not ideal for a long visit. -- Parking -- On street parking in the neighborhood only. -- Things to Note -- During peak times, there's a continuous rotation of families coming and going. There is a fence in need of mending between the park and road in the neighborhood. The closest neighbors on either side have privacy fences. The rest of the properties have fences, and the remaining side is a low creek. Mosquitoes might be an issue in the summer, but I've only visited in the fall. -- Takeaways -- This is an average centrally located neighborhood park that serves the surrounding single family homes. The main attraction is its playground. I wouldn't suggest traveling out of your way for it though as there are lots of other parks in VB to enjoy, many with more offerings. Right now with the need for social distancing, I do like this location since it's not particularly busy.

This is such a great neighborhood park. It has 3 picnic areas with grills and they are all covered…read more They have such a nice basketball court and a really big field for lots of activities. The playground area is wonderful. I love the tire swing. They have regular swings too. This is the largest park in this subdivision. We like to walk to this one and take the kids.

Where else in Virginia Beach can you play basketball and swim at the same time?!? Nowhere, that's…read morewhere! I come here every couple of days to swing - because swinging is manly, trust me! And no, I'm not referring to sketchy taboo adult activities - because this is a family park! Like basketball? You can totally play here... when the court isn't flooded... so maybe once a week if you're lucky! There's also a killer juvenile obstacle course for all the junior operators in your family unit - and a legit tire swing with a 100% artificial, non-organic tire to lose your lunch on whilst spinning like a nut-job! Think that's all? No way man! There's grass, lots and lots of grass for your dog to sniff and relieve itself on... just be sure to pack everything out in an air-tight container (cause it's the law)! "Yo, is that a Blackhawk hovering over my head?" You might ask yourself that at least once during your visit here - the answer is yes, but shhhhhhh... OPSEC. Come play kids! PS, only 4 stars for the constant flooding and low level of city maintenance. But it's the safest park in the city!