Kempsville Planning Area Current Reality The Kempsville Planning Area is by far the most populated planning area in the City. The preservation of the 1,422 Stumpy Lake Natural Area, the largest City-owned parkland, provides that much more of a positive impact because of the contrast with the development that surrounds it. It addition to Stumpy Lake Natural Area, over 45 park sites are currently located throughout Kempsville. City View Metro Park, Salem Woods Community Park and Woodstock Community Park are the most utilized larger parks. While Charlestown Athletic Park, Lark Downs and Newlight are the most utilized neighborhood parks because of the athletic facilities that exist at those sites. While the majority of Kempsville is developed, according to the City s Comprehensive Plan, it is projected that the planning area will see its population increase over the next 30 years by nearly 30%. The table below provides the 2000 census population as well as the theoretical build-out population for Kempsville, estimated in the City s 2003 Comprehensive Plan. The Kempsville Planning Area is geographically bound by Interstate 264 to the north; the Chesapeake/ Virginia Beach City line to the south and west; Salem Road and Princess Anne Road to the east. Year Percent Change Census Year - 2000 101,301 Theoretical Build-Out Year - 2026 130,123 28% While the proportion of growth projection figures cited above are generally correct, sole reliance on these figures should not be used for determinations of specific facility demand. Significant features that are uniquely located in the Kempsville Planning Area and affect the City s planning for outdoor recreation in the planning area include: City View Metro Park Stumpy Lake Natural Area Elizabeth River Landfill #2 The results of community involvement, statistical analysis, and equity mapping completed for the planning area explained on the forthcoming pages, applied to the unique circumstances of Kempsville, served as the primary drivers for the overall open space and outdoor planning recommendations that are provided at the end of this section. 77 Woodstock Community Park
Open Space/Parkland Statistical Analysis Open Space/Parkland Statistical Analysis - The table below applies the City s new park designation service standards to the planning area s 2000 census population as well as the projected theoretical build-out for the year 2026. The analysis includes park designations that can be located within relatively small geographic areas, such as planning areas. For example, three park designation standards are not applied to planning area analysis because they are larger in size and/or have a unique site characteristic that provides more of a citywide recreational opportunity. For example, Signature Parks, Natural Areas and Linkages (i.e. trails that transcend planning area boundaries) are not applied to the planning area analysis but are applied to the citywide statistical analysis provided in the Capital Improvement Program Impact section of this plan. Consequently, the planning area statistical standard for parkland/open space is 11 acres/1,000 residents while the city-wide statistical standard for parkland/open space is 16 acres/1,000 residents. Note: The statistical analysis is only one tool in determining service area gaps. Site Type and Virginia Beach Standard Neighborhood Parks.25-15 2.0 /1,000 Community Parks 15-50 3.0 /1,000 Metro Parks 50-100 3.0 /1,000 Park Standard Applied to 2000 and Existing Park Inventory 189.78 Existing 202.6 Standard 105.95 Existing 303.9 Standard 43.5 Existing 303.9 Standard Park Acreage Results for 2000 Need 12.82 Need 197.95 Need 260.4 Park Standard Applied to 2026 and Existing Park Inventory 189.78 Existing 260.24 Standard 105.95 Existing 390.37 Standard 43.5 Existing 390.37 Standard Park Acreage Results for 2026 Need 70.46 Need 284.42 Need 346.87 General Open Space 1.0 Acre/1,000 73.47 Existing 101.3 Standard Need 27.83 73.47 Existing 130.1 Standard Need 56.63 Special Use Facility 1.0 Acre/1,000 426 Existing 101.3 Standard Surplus 324.7 426 Existing 130.1 Standard Surplus 295.9 School Parks 1.0 Acre/1,000 103.2 Existing 101.3 Standard Surplus 1.9 103.2 Existing 130.1 Standard Need 26.9 Total Park 11.0 /1,000 941.9 Existing 1114.3 Standard Gross Need 172.4 941.9 Existing 1431.1 Standard Gross Need 489.2 Natural Resource Area* 1120 Existing + 1120 1120 Existing + 1120 2000 Total Analysis for Planning Area Homeowners ** Association Property Surplus 947.6 2026 Total Analysis for Planning Area Surplus 630.8 456 Existing + 456 456 Existing + 456 *Site type applied only to city wide needs analysis, not individual planning areas ** Homeowners Association (HOA) Property are not counted toward meeting the public park and open space need because they are not accessible to all Virginia Beach residents. However, HOA should be considered as recreational assets for the residents of the planning area that have legal access to them. 78
Outdoor Recreational Asset Statistical Analysis Outdoor Recreational Amenity Statistical Analysis - Similar to the Open Space/Parkland Statistical Analysis, the table below applies the City s outdoor recreational site type service standards that are unique to Virginia Beach to the planning area s 2000 census population as well as the projected theoretical build-out for the year 2026. Note: The statistical analysis is only one tool in determining service area gaps. Asset Type and Virginia Beach Standard Tennis Courts 1 Court/5,000 Outdoor Basketballs 1 Court/2,500 Playgrounds 1 Site/2,000 Picnic Pavilions 1 Site/2,500 Baseball 200' Outfield 1 Field/3,125 Baseball 300' Outfield 1 Field/18,000 Softball (Youth Competitive) 1 Field/5,000 Softball (Adult Competitive) 1 Field/18,000 Soccer (Youth/Competitive/ Practice) 1 Field/4,000 Soccer (Regulation/Competitive/) 1 Field/6,000 Asset Standard Applied to 2000 and Existing Park Inventory 43 Courts Existing 20 Courts Standard 59 Courts Existing 41 Courts Standard 56 Existing 50 Standard 48 Existing 40 Standard 37 Existing 32 Standard 7 Existing 5 Standard 37 Existing 20 Standard 3 Existing 4 Standard 11 Existing 25 Standard 11 Existing 16 Standard Asset Results for 2000 Surplus 23 Courts Surplus 18 Courts Surplus 6 Surplus 8 Surplus 5 Surplus 2 Surplus 17 Need 1 Field Need 14 Need 5 Asset Standard Applied to 2026 and Existing Park Inventory 43 Courts Existing 26 Courts Standard 59 Courts Existing 52 Courts Standard 56 Existing 65 Standard 48 Existing 52 Standard 37 Existing 41 Standard 7 Existing 7 Standard 37 Existing 26 Standard 3 Existing 7 Standard 11 Existing 33 Standard 11 Existing 22 Standard Asset Results for 2026 Surplus 17 Courts Surplus 7 Courts Need 9 Need 4 Need 4 Need 0 Surplus 11 Need 4 Need 22 Need 11 Football (Competitive/Practice) 1 Field/6,000 11 Existing 16 Standard Need 5 11 Existing 22 Standard Need 11 Lacrosse/Field Hockey 1 Field/50,000 0 Existing 2 Standard Need 2 0 Existing 3 Standard Need 3 Dog Parks 1 Site/50,000 Skate Parks (Inline, Skateboard, BMX) 1 Site/50,000 1 Site Existing 2 Standard 1 Site Existing 2 Standard Need 1 Site Need 1 Site 1 Site Existing 3 Standard 1 Site Existing 3 Standard Need 2 Need 2 79
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Ten-Minute Walk Zone Analysis The following map depicts walkable service areas based upon a ten-minute walk, based on a three mile-perhour walking pace, to parks in the Courthouse Planning Area. Areas highlighted in green are within a ten minute walk of a park utilizing the City s existing rights-of-way, showing areas that are currently served by City parks and areas that require additional focus of resources. The walk-zone analysis is much more practical of a service area analysis as opposed to the typical distance circle-radius service area buffers because they account for physical barriers such as Virginia Beach s many waterways and areas without roadways which cannot be crossed or otherwise accessed. Level Green Neighborhood Park Trail Connections An extensive asphalt shared-use pathway at the Level Green Neighborhood Park provides several connections to adjacent residential areas in addition to serving as a recreational amenity for the park itself. 81
Bikeways and Trails System - According to the City s adopted Bikeways and Trails Plan, the following bikeways and trails system initiatives either existing or are recommended for implementation: Witchduck Road New shared use paths are being planned with the roadway widening project on both sides of the new roadway between Witchduck Road and I-264 Princess Anne/Kempsville Road Intersection Improvement Project Historic Kempsville Plan pedestrian connectivity improvements Indian River Road Phase VII Improvement Potential for Stumpy Lake to Back Bay Greenway 82
Kempsville Recommendations Stumpy Lake Natural Area Master Plan Implement phased public access improvements as recommended in the Master Plan with connections to Woodbridge area on Lynnhaven Parkway. Stumpy Lake to Back Bay Greenway- Develop a comprehensive corridor feasibility and green infrastructure study for the Stumpy Lake to Back Bay Greenway. Avalon Woods Site / Neighborhood Park Gaps Address neighborhood park service area gaps in Arrowhead, College Park/Level Green, and Woods of Avalon. The proposed Avalon Woods Neighborhood Park site is shown to the left. Historic Kempsville Plan Coordinate with Princess Anne/Kempsville Road Intersection project to incorporate central plaza/open space and pedestrian connections to existing neighborhoods as well as planned mixed use areas. Woodbridge Community Park - Develop and implement a master plan for the 25-acre wooded parcel that can potentially serve both as an additional link to the Stumpy Lake Natural Area from Lynnhaven Parkway as well as a park for the Woodbridge area residents. Parks and Recreation Planning Resource for Homeowner Associations Serve as a resource to homeowners associations, such as Indian Lakes, by providing advice in the planning of capital improvement development and maintenance of recreation-related land and facilities. School Field Improvements Coordinate with Schools to improve existing athletic fields to increase their potential for additional athletic program. City View Park Expansion/Landfill #2 End Use Monitor the use of Landfill #2, which comprises over 400 acres, to determine appropriate time for developing an master plan for the expansion of City View Park. 83
Kempsville Recommendations Skate Park Need - The 2026 statistical analysis shows a need for two additional skate parks to serve the Kempsville Planning Area, in addition to Woodstock Skate Plaza which opened in April 2007. It is recommended that the City continue with its overall City-wide action sports park strategy to consider providing additional community parkscale skate parks after evaluating annual trends with attendance at existing municipal skate parks. If there is a demonstrated need for another skate park in this area, it is recommended that either Woodstock Skate Plaza be expanded or that a new skate park be considered for City View Metro Park. Elizabeth River Greenway Develop a comprehensive corridor feasibility and green infrastructure study for the Elizabeth River Greenway. Public Access to Elizabeth River and Tributaries Evaluate providing non-motorized watercraft public access improvements to the Elizabeth River at the Avalon Woods site and Hunts Pointe Park. Public Access to Salem Canal Evaluate providing non-motorized watercraft public access improvements to the Salem Canal at either Salem Woods or Wyndamere Parks. Virginia Power Right-of-Way - Acquire a strategic 4.4mile long, 66-foot wide linkage that extends from the Municipal Center through the Holland and Kempsville Planning Areas to Baxter Road. The corridor has the potential to serve as a potential linear park and shared-use pathway, similar to the existing trail network parallel to Rosemont Road and Independence Boulevard. 84