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Virginia Beach parks department seeks funding for rec-center modernizations, VB Trail and cameras; Parks After Dark expands to three sites
Summary
Parks & Recreation leaders told council the department’s FY26 plan seeks record earned revenues and includes design starts for rec‑center modernizations, expanded Parks After Dark programming and funding boosts for the VB Trail and park surveillance.
Parks and Recreation Director Michael Kirschman and Chad Morris (planning, design and development) briefed council on the department’s FY26 operating and six‑year CIP proposals, describing program revenues, earned‑revenue targets, and major capital projects.
Kirschman said the department’s operating budget in the city manager’s recommended package is about $800,000 less than FY25 and that the department depends heavily on part‑time staff — lifeguards and seasonal workers — in addition to roughly 530 full‑time positions and a variable part‑time headcount. Parks staff expect earned revenues to recover from COVID and set an FY26 target of about $17.5 million — the highest in department history.
Major operating and capital items discussed: modernization design funding for three large rec centers (Great Neck design expected to start later this year), a $100,000 IT CIP allocation to place security cameras at high‑priority parks tied into city police monitoring, $125,000 from the TIF fund to support oceanfront upkeep and beautification, and maintenance funding for Bow Creek Stormwater Park when it comes online. Parks After Dark will expand from one to three concurrent sites (Thursday–Saturday).
On CIP highlights, Chad Morris said the six‑year parks CIP totals about $370 million. Key projects under design or construction include VB Trail Phase 1 (3.2 miles currently in design), a proposed $15.15 million increase to VB Trail Phase 1 and $23.8 million SmartScale funding anticipated for Phase 4 (London Bridge Road to Birdneck Road) requiring no local match, the Bokey (Bow) Stormwater Park, Rudy Park, and several completed playground replacements funded by ARPA (54 playgrounds replaced recently). Morris said the open space acquisition fund will retain a balance for future purchases and that some funds were reallocated to other city capital priorities.
Council members asked about parking and restrooms at Lynnhaven Marina, the timing and usability of phased trail construction (Phase 1 will be usable when complete and carries a five‑year construction window once federal grant agreements are signed), and how rec center fees compare with private sector offerings. Kirschman said the city’s rec‑center model targets about 40% cost recovery through earned revenues and pays for administrative services and public uses that private businesses typically do not provide.
The council praised recent completed projects — Mount Trashmore improvements and playground replacements — and discussed the need to balance capital priorities and open space goals. No formal vote was taken; the briefing was informational.
