[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6176474,"mediaKeyId","5347313-fbb9b55e3326837c5e44107716708209","parentId",5347313,"title","Council weighs three visions for City Park — retain golf, remove it or adopt a hybrid — many members favor modest park upgrades and Sportsplex aquatics","audioSeconds",784,"startMs",2578000,"endMs",3362000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5347313-fbb9b55e3326837c5e44107716708209&start=2578&end=3362","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5347313-fbb9b55e3326837c5e44107716708209/thumbnail_2578000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6176474/Portsmouth/Norfolk-County/Virginia/Council-weighs-three-visions-for-City-Park-retain-golf-remove-it-or-adopt-a-hybrid-many-members-favor-modest-park-upgrades-and-Sportsplex-aquatics","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176474-075cd4cee1f91d0c75eb1a27fd9a01bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156063&Signature=bwC8PLjYykkK8J~z~zi02JdLHSFm0t1hEjvKQdyZVBc-TbhIGTD8PKIBx02j24bD4EM8dOEH9ARMbxGNKetD~AJmb8XAxGr3V~EKnDQHVHTrDH3oba1EnDHPz7xH7m84s2zs6Oi-pffZobaRMHY3ee3rXSfLCcftjnGCsYm7tV5XxFQrYWoTDSgZmVmzbQ-Aa72fsT2l8wLudCTcb0IE8x2Ye82rzTyKtojmHXDcHe6XrbfBAxyV7ayqPzAYJQf5vGD8qN6mwMC11AJWEnJ3gbhxOSExnUnLayt5rXDCjNTYIUY9Uj35D3qoU-RePZ7htPlrSkfPKSERyCR3zwpGAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Portsmouth","date","2025-07-09T01:56:37Z","article","PORTSMOUTH, Va. — City staff presented a multi-year reimagining plan for City Park and sought direction from the City Council on three concept options — retain the golf course with improvements, remove the golf course for events and trails, or adopt a hybrid keeping the driving range and repurposing other acreage.

Why it matters: City Park sits on large public acreage near the waterfront and the council must decide whether to invest tens of millions of dollars in a major redesign, pursue a more modest set of upgrades, or shift major capital focus to the Sportsplex and an aquatic center several council members said the city should prioritize.

Project overview and costs: The project began in 2020 and has included stakeholder interviews, public meetings, a website (reimaginecitypark.com) and surveys. Staff reported three preliminary concepts with high-end, full-amenity estimates: retaining the golf course and upgrading it (estimated roughly $10 million to $13.4 million), removing the golf course and building event space, trails and areas for private gatherings (estimated roughly $12.5 million to $16.9 million), and a hybrid that would keep the driving range while repurposing portions of the course.

Public input and demographics: Staff said the project’s online and event surveys produced about 2,000 responses (approximately 2% of the city). Palmachuk said survey respondents skewed younger and included many non-golfing families who prioritized walking trails, dog parks, athletic courts and event space. By contrast, in-person public meetings drew primarily older residents, many regular golf-course users and boat owners who spoke strongly for preserving the course.

Site specifics and technical notes: Staff described optional shoreline resiliency work and breakwaters near the boat ramp, living-shoreline work, added restroom buildings, and improved egress/parking for large events. The presentation noted a potential need to dredge if the boat ramp were relocated westward and said dredging could be an ongoing expense (staff characterized dredging as recurring roughly every four years in one exchange). Palmachuk reported an internal 2021 golf analysis that showed the golf course operates at a subsidy of about $17–$20 per round. Current published 9-hole rates reported by staff were about $17 for adults and $15 for youth, with other variable rates described between $39 and $53 depending on time and booking.

Council reaction and priorities: Council members repeatedly asked for a firm decision and for staff to stop consuming resources if the council lacked appetite to proceed. Several councilors recommended focusing major capital efforts on the Sportsplex and an aquatic center rather than a full City Park overhaul. Councilman Hugel, Vice Mayor Moody and Councilwoman Bryant argued for prioritizing the Sportsplex aquatics project and for making modest, targeted improvements at City Park (restroom upgrades, improved access, shade, and selective shoreline work) rather than pursuing the highest-cost concepts. Councilmembers also discussed raising golf fees if the city keeps the course to reduce the subsidy.

Equity and participation: Staff noted the survey demographics showed higher response rates from residents age 51 and over at public meetings and stronger participation from younger families in randomized survey collection at sporting events; staff said those differences contributed to the polarized feedback on retaining or repurposing the golf course.

Funding and next steps: Palmachuk asked for “decisive direction” and proposed finalizing a single concept and amenity list and then returning to council with funding options, which could include public-private partnerships and available grants tied to shoreline resiliency. City Manager John Carter framed the choice plainly: “If not, please let us know. We'll leave it alone, and we'll move on.” No formal vote occurred at the session; council instructed staff to bring options and additional feasibility detail and signaled support among several members for prioritizing a Sportsplex aquatics project and targeted City Park improvements rather than the highest-cost redesign.

No formal action was taken at the meeting. Staff stated a goal to complete the concept-selection process by December and to return with cost refinements, funding sources and implementation recommendations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Portsmouth City Council Public Work Session July 8, 2025 Portsmouth, Virginia","oneSentenceSummary","Staff presented three concepts for City Park (retain golf, remove golf, hybrid) with estimated costs of roughly $10–$17 million depending on scope; councilors expressed concern about cost and urged focusing major investments on a Sportsplex aquatic center instead of a full City Park makeover.","taxTitle","Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia","taxId",4040,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6176478,"Portsmouth expands summer programming; serves 23,000 meals June 16–30 while camps face long waiting list",0,3502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5347313-fbb9b55e3326837c5e44107716708209&start=3502&end=3502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5347313-fbb9b55e3326837c5e44107716708209/thumbnail_3502000.jpg","/articles/6176478/Portsmouth/Norfolk-County/Virginia/Portsmouth-expands-summer-programming-serves-23000-meals-June-1630-while-camps-face-long-waiting-list","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176478-da1ffe318813fb71bceadf02cfea909c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156063&Signature=jBO-Bxu1PpS2hN2CNc-Jhfbh-bvv6kWHpksrnKqmMQyvT0aGC~E0OOnW7jO95541ojwSUzw6PU-BtKDs~YtNciRhGZ~ITAFqGNN437VLp~yhHAi3~CXd0mD3YDTS6ukaOCFOzmsRy0TkLezXBph0YdJ10cmH7xwnJB4PuT1R2yV2Sbbv5F8d1L54X8nx0IGRJaPweJ2SORH-5EOa0WRN51ib4E6tV~CJELfAbYyqwfkcfpkNkbDf1KtDt0L9b21R3l-38Hva1xXMYAJSMy~cI4Pe-02QsLSjhVYfgmqqRYgNiNor2NK3TDhjwDg~aczqIu1dEsWpCGqquhRbpkr34Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Portsmouth’s Parks & Recreation Department told the City Council it has expanded summer offerings across the city this year and served 23,000 meals between June 16 and June 30 as part of its USDA summer meals program.

The department said it is operating summer camp at eight city sites, providing free breakfast and lunch at 42 locations, and piloting extended evening hours for teens at Neighborhood and Cavalier Manor recreation centers. Mark Palmachuk, director of Portsmouth Parks & Recreation, said, “The theme this year is Space Invaders,” and that programming includes STEM activities, field trips and swim lessons.

Why it matters: City-sponsored camps and feeding programs are a primary child-care and food-security resource during summer months for families. Council members pressed Parks staff on capacity, access and how residents find and register for programs.

Parks staff outlined locations and services. Camps operate at city recreation centers (including Neighborhood and Cavalier Manor) and at four Portsmouth Public Schools sites (Craddock Elementary, Westhaven Elementary, Churchland Middle and Churchland Primary). The department added outreach sites in Lexington Place and London Oaks; London Oaks programming was paused because of an air-conditioning problem. The city provides swim lessons, teen drop-in opportunities, therapeutic recreation at Craddock, and senior programming including transportation and partnered classes.

Palmachuk said the USDA Summer Meals program is offered Monday through Friday and that the city is serving breakfast and lunch at 42 sites this year, up from 37 last year. “We were able to serve 23,000 meals just in that time frame,” he said of June 16–30. Parks staff also named the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funded youth leadership program that runs monthly at J.U. Parker Recreation Center; Palmachuk said about 20 youth currently participate in that leadership program.

Council members expressed two recurring concerns: how residents locate and register for programs and the department’s ability to expand capacity. Councilwoman Thomas and Vice Mayor Moody said they had difficulty finding program registration on mobile devices; Palmachuk said program listings are on the department site and linked to the Virginia Cooperative Extension pages but acknowledged mobile navigation can be improved and noted that the city website is scheduled for a redesign.

Palmachuk said camps use a waiting list when programs are full. He told council the department currently has about 700 individuals on the waiting list for summer camp and that Parks uses a 1-to-12 staff-to-child ratio as its staffing standard. He described the department’s practice when campers do not attend: staff contact families after the first week and begin filling seats from the waitlist when families drop off. He said the department uses rising seniors and youth season interns to help staff camps but that many require pairing with adult staff.

The presentation listed new and continuing partnerships and events: Bank of America funded youth golf outreach at CityLinks, Portsmouth Warriors Boxing Club, Paradise Creek Nature Park (about 40 acres with trails and restored wetlands), Crawford Creek Wildlife Preserve (about 142 acres with kayak launch and trails), weekly senior programs and the regular summer special events calendar including Sunset Thursdays (an estimated 7,000 attendees weekly at Festival Park) and the city’s back-to-school distribution on Aug. 10.

Funding and grant notes: Palmachuk flagged potential federal cuts to CDBG funding and said Parks staff and local officials, including contact with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Congressman Scott’s office, are advocating to preserve funding for the youth leadership program. The department also noted USDA and CACFP reimbursements underpin the feeding program.

Council discussion and next steps: Council members asked staff to return with clearer, mobile-friendly registration pathways and recommended closer coordination with churches, civic leagues and Portsmouth United (an emerging community app) to consolidate event and registration information for families. Council members also raised the possibility of adjusting fees, expanding staff, and using interns to increase capacity. Palmachuk said he would evaluate staffing needs and return with recommendations; the manager and council noted a website redesign is planned to improve accessibility.

No formal council action was taken during the presentation; staff asked for feedback and said they will return with options on website improvements, staffing and program expansion.","City Parks & Recreation reported expanded summer sites, free meals at 42 locations and pilot evening teen hours, but officials say roughly 700 children remain on a waitlist and staff capacity is the principal constraint.","actionData","errors"]

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Council weighs three visions for City Park — retain golf, remove it or adopt a hybrid — many members favor modest park upgrades and Sportsplex aquatics

Portsmouth expands summer programming; serves 23,000 meals June 16–30 while camps face long waiting list