I Want To

This Section

Link to Parks, Recreation and Tourism Home
Administration
- Budget and Support Services
- Park Planning
- Public Information
- PRT Department Report
Announcements - PRT
Athletics
- Adult Team Sports
- Youth Sports
- Volunteer Coaches Info
- Department Rules and Policies
- Athletic Facility Reservations and Rentals
  - Sports Block Sunday Club
  - Field Use Application
- Tennis and Pickleball Courts
Boards and Commissions
- Arboretum Advisory Board
- Bicycle/Trails Advisory Committee
- Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council
  - 2019 Clean and Green Contest Winners
- Historic Preservation Commission
- Parks, Recreation and Tourism Advisory Board
Calendar - PRT
Camps and After-School Programs
- Stay & Play After School
- SUMMER BLAST Day Camp
- Teen Scene
Centers and Facilities
- Camelot
- Dr. Clarence V. Cuffee
- Deep Creek
- Great Bridge
- Indian River
- River Crest
- The Portlock at South Norfolk
- South Norfolk
- Western Branch
- Community Center Rentals
- Membership Fee Information
- Rokeby Center
- Splash Park at Western Branch Community Center
Chesapeake Outdoors
- Fishing and Boating
- Camping and Programs
- Exercise and Fitness
- Geocaching
- Equestrian
- Nature Programs
- Astronomy and Science
- Music and Arts
- Family Fun
- Wildlife in the Parks
City Tours
Dogs - Parks and Licenses
Donations - How You Can Help
- Sponsorship Benefits
- Commemoration and Donation Program
- Youth Scholarship Program
Environmental
Events
- Special Events
- Events Planning
- Food Vendor Information
Event Permits and Planning
- FAQ
- Contact Us
- City Calendar
- Submit Your Event to the City Calendar
- Outdoor Special Event Venues
- Indoor Special Event Information
- Tenant User Liability Program Information
"55 & Better"
- "55 & Better" Events
Forms, Surveys, and Other Links
- Survey Links
Instructional Programs and Classes
Parks and Trails
- All Parks Within Chesapeake
- Athletic Fields and Facilities Maintenance
- Bells Mill Park
- Boat Ramps
- Centerville Park
- Chesapeake Arboretum
  - AutumnFest and Arbor Day
- Chesapeake City Park
  - Skate Park
  - Fun Forest
    - Handprint Tile Walls at Fun Forest
- Deep Creek Lock Park
- Deep Creek Park
- Dismal Swamp Canal Trail
  - Dismal Swamp Canal Trail Details
  - Trail Hours
  - What’s Allowed
    - Watch Birds
  - About the Trail
  - Rest Areas/Benches/Picnic Areas
  - Bathrooms
  - Bears
    - Bears
  - Snakes and Other Animals
  - Emergencies
- Dog Parks
- Elizabeth River Park
  - Elizabeth River Park Fun Facts
- Great Bridge Lock Park
- Indian River Park
- Judge Eileen Olds Courtyard Park
- Lakeside Park
- Northwest River Park
  - Northwest River Park and Campground Home
  - Directions and Maps
  - Activities
  - Camping/Cabins Rentals
  - All Parks & Facilities
  - Parks, Recreation and Tourism Home
  - NWRP Shelter and Facility Rentals
- Oak Grove Lake Park
- Open Space and Recreation Ordinance Procedures
- Parks and Grounds Maintenance
- Play Areas
- Trails
  - Biking
- Western Branch Park
Registration
- Ways to Register
- How to Become an Instructor
- Classes & Programs
- Peake Discovery Guide
Rentals - Facilities and Parks
- Activity Building at Northwest River Park
- Athletic Fields
- Boat and Bike Rentals
- Campsites and Cabins
- Chesapeake Conference Center
- City Park/Bagley Stage
- Community Center Rentals
- Park Shelter and Section Rentals
- Showmobile/Bleachers
- The Rokeby Center
Scholarship/Reduced Fee Program
- Youth Scholarship Sponsorship Benefits
Therapeutic Recreation
Tourism
Virtual Classes, Activities and Engagement

Park Planning

Playground Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism acquires land for future parks through purchase, subdivision requirements, and donations. The department's Park Planner 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.

At present, the Chesapeake park system contains more than 80 parks with 2,453 acres of land, excluding athletic fields.

Parks, Recreation and Tourism is always looking for good park properties to better serve the needs of citizens. The park planner coordinates efforts between Parks, Recreation and Tourism staff and other city departments to enhance park amenities at existing sites as well as new ones that may come online.