Information

Main Office:
Department of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services
801 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704
757-393-8481/ Fax: 757-393-8265

PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
2007-2008

Ex-officios:
Mr. Jimmie Williford - School Board Liaison
Councilwoman Marlene Randall - City Council Liaison

Gift Giving Guide
Opportunities abound for making a LASTING contribution to the Portsmouth community. Please inquire at 757-393-8481 about the Gift Giving Guide for items ranging from picnic tables to tennis courts and gifts of every size and shape in between.

Recreation Center Reservations
Interested in reserving a Recreation Center for a Birthday Party, Class Reunion or Family Gathering? Please contact your nearest Recreation Center to make necessary arrangements.

Portsmouth Pride Volunteer Program
We have many opportunities for individuals and families to put your talents to work for your community. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 757-393-8134 to volunteer for Recreation Programs, Libraries, Museums, and Behavioral Healthcare Services as well as the Police and Human Resources Departments.

Amusement Tickets
Discount tickets for Busch Gardens, Water Country, and King’s Dominion are seasonally available at the Department’s Main Office at 801 Crawford Street. Payment may be made by cash or money order. Please call 393-8481 for current information.

Special Event Permits
Organized activities utilizing city property such as parks, playgrounds, and open spaces need to submit applications at least 30 days in advance of the event. Please visit the portsmouthva.gov home page ‘Official City Forms’ section for Special Event Applications as well as information on parade permits, street closure permits and block party permits.

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Portsmouth Sets The
Standard For New Park
And Receives Award

Portsmouth’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services is the recipient of an award from the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society. On September 9, 2007, the city and the department received an award for constructing the “Best New Parks and recreation Facility” in Virginia with the construction of Fort Nelson Park located at the corners of Crawford and Effingham Streets in Portsmouth.

Criteria for the award evaluated new facilities, which demonstrate innovative design, effectiveness in addressing community needs, efficient use of resources, and general, excellence in appearance or use. Portsmouth received the award as a participant in a statewide competition between counties, cities, and towns across Virginia, with population ranges between 50,000 to 100,000.

Portsmouth is proud of its role in maintaining a key city council vision of providing “Thriving Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community.”
 

American Bus Association Names
Portsmouth’s Olde Towne Holiday Music
Festival One Of North America’s 100 Best
Events For 2008

The American Bus Association announced that the Olde Towne Holiday Music festival, held annually in Portsmouth on the second Saturday of December, was designated as one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2008 by an elite tourism industry selection committee.

Inclusion of the top 100 list, published as a supplement to the September-October issue of ABA’s Destination magazine, indicated that the Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival offers excellent entertainment value to both tour groups and individual travelers from around the world.

The Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival was created and launched in 1998 and is now the city’s signature holiday event, featuring hundreds of musical performances and carolers throughout the day. After only three years, the Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival was named “On-Going Event of the Year” at the 2001 Virginia Governor’s Conference on Travel and Tourism. In judging, emphasis was placed on annual events that contributed to the importance of Virginia as a travel destination. The Olde Towne Holiday Music Festival also received special recognition because it was seen as an event that heightened and engaged the community’s spirit.

Sponsorship Opportunities
Multiple Events and Programs allow for customization and tailoring to meet specific target audiences and markets. Here are a few of the opportunities:

City Wide Youth Basketball Tournament
Twelve top teams of Boys and Girls ages 9-15 in 4 age brackets Held annually at one of the High School Gyms 2nd week of March

12th Annual ‘Echoes of Joy’ Program
A special day to feed and clothe needy children and adults

Summer Galaxy Program
A 9-week traditional summer playground/recreation center program for ages 6-12 serving more than 600 children

Senior Sports Day
10+ Senior Citizens compete in more than 20 events throughout the 2nd week in May.

21nd Annual Race to Cock Island
Called the “Best Sailing Event on the East Coast” by landlubbers and sailors alike

Custom packages will be developed and negotiated with sponsor-specific criteria. Extended commitments beyond a single event or year benefit everyone…primarily the opportunity to make modifications and improvements for maximum potential returns.

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Citizen Concern Line
Have a compliment or a complaint about City Services? Don’t know where to turn to get help? The 24-hour Citizen Concern Line can certainly help. Call 757-393-8008 for assistance or click here for the online version.

Neighborhood Academy

The eighth class of the Portsmouth Neighborhood Academy will commence in September 2008. The Neighborhood Academy is a unique opportunity for Portsmouth residents to learn how to access City services and partner with local government to improve neighborhood quality. The curriculum will cover:

• Citizen interaction with their local government
• The importance of citizen contribution to public safety
• Portsmouth parks, recreation and library services
• The positive impact of economic development on neighborhoods
• Accessing human and social services
• Detailed descriptions of the following City functions: planning, zoning, code enforcement, public works, traffic, trash and public utilities

The course lasts eight weeks. All classes take place on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 pm. The classes are held at the Bide-a-Wee Pavilion and at other community facilities located throughout Portsmouth. There is no charge to attend the Portsmouth Neighborhood Academy. However, a commitment to attend all eight classes is requested from participants. Space is limited; applicants are accepted in the order they register. For more information or to register, call Bernadette L. Hogge, Community Relations Coordinator at 757-393-8481 x 4129 or e-mail her at hoggeb@portsmouthva.gov.

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ADA Notice
Individuals requesting reasonable accommodations to attend or participate in our programs may call 757-393-8626 at least 48 hours in advance.

Photo Policy
Please be advised that all participants involved in any department programs or special events are subject to being photographed. Such photographs may be used by the City of Portsmouth without an obligation to provide compensation to those photographed.

Incentive Fund
The City of Portsmouth Department of Parks, Recreation and Leisure Services annually solicits requests from civic, social and community organizations for Incentive Fund Program funding. This program provides matching funds for beautification projects, construction or improvements to recreation and park facilities and the purchase of playground equipment. Projects must benefit the entire community and be available for all citizens to use. Annual application deadline is September 1. Applications can be obtained by contacting 757-393-8481. It is never too early to be thinking of the future!

Sometimes, we go^oF

No matter how hard we try, sometimes there may be an error in the brochure or web pages. When this happens, we’ll do everything possible to correct the situation promptly. Occasionally, classes, programs and events change from what is printed or posted. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and will try to inform you should this occur. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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