Park Planning

Chesapeake Parks and Recreation acquires land for future parks through purchase, subdivision requirements, and donations. The department's Park Planner, Lennie Luke, works with real estate agents, developers, architectural and engineering firms, citizens, and state and federal officials to acquire, master plan, and develop these properties into future parks. In addition, park planning duties include working on park and environmental issues with various departments such as Planning, Public Works, the Geographic Information System (GIS) committee, and the Chesapeake Historic Preservation Committee.

Deep Creek Park construction is due to be completed in May 2011. It will need to sit several months to allow the grass on the fields to mature. The opening date will be set by the Director of Parks and Recreation.

Heritage Park is being planned for future development. This park is located in southern Chesapeake near the water treatment plant and will incorporate an equestrian theme into a multi-purpose park environment.  

At present, the city has approximately 1646 district, 186 community, and 236 neighborhood park acres, for a total of 2,322 park acres. Additional information on size, acquisition, and development standards of various parks can be found in the Master Plan, "A Window into the Year 2010... A Plan for Parks and Recreation", located in the central library's reference section. The 2010 Plan is currently being updated.