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Department of Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services - Recreation for Generations |
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InformationMain Office:
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
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| Dr. Lee Armistead Ms. Beth Prever Ms. Bette Ashberry |
Ms. Bertha Manning Mr. Kenneth Bolton Mr. Christopher Herrod |
Ms. Darlene Bright Ms. Erin Ridenour |
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.

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.
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.
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 gooF
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.
| City of Portsmouth, Virginia - All rights reserved. |
last updated February, 2008 |