Courthouse Planning Area Current Reality The Courthouse Planning Area is the characterized by expansive suburbanscale residential areas as well as the community resource planned area of athletic, educational, entertainment and institutional villages that comprise Princess Anne Commons. The beachfront oasis of Sandbridge, located on the east side of Courthouse, provides unique access to expansive federal and state park areas as well as public access to Atlantic Ocean beaches. Many parks and recreational resources are located in between Princess Anne Commons and Sandbridge, including Red Wing Metro Park, Red Mill Farms and Ocean Lakes Community Parks, nearly 40 neighborhood parks and West Neck Creek Natural area. In addition, there are several opportunities to enhance the City s parks and recreation system, which would not only serve Courthouse residents but also both City-wide as well as regional users, through both private/non-profit investment and development of existing City-owned resources. Open space preservation is also a significant part of the on-going real estate acquisition process associated with the implementation of the Oceana Land Use Conformity Plan within the Inter-facility Traffic Area of Courthouse. The table below provides the 2000 census population as well as the theoretical build-out population for the Courthouse, estimated in the City s 2003 Comprehensive Plan. Year Percent Change Census Year - 2000 55,880 Theoretical Build-Out Year - 2026 81,847 46% The Courthouse Planning Area is geographically bound by the Oceana Naval Air Station and the Stumpy Lake Corridor to the North; West Neck Creek and the North Landing River to the south and west; and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. While the proportion of growth projection figures shown above are generally correct, sole reliance on these figures should not be used for determination of specific facility demand. Significant features that are uniquely located in Courthouse Planning Area and affect the City s planning for outdoor recreation in the planning area include: Princess Anne Commons Princess Anne Area New Residential Development Homeowners Association open space, trails and recreational improvements Little Island Signature Park Water access to Back Bay, North Landing River, West Neck Creek and their tributaries Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge 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 Courthouse, served as the primary drivers for the overall open space and outdoor planning recommendations. 62 Red Wing Metro Park
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 city-wide 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 city-wide 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 General Open Space 1.0 Acre/1,000 Special Use Facility 1.0 Acre/1,000 School Parks 1.0 Acre/1,000 Total Park 11.0 /1,000 Signature Parks* 100+ Park Standard Applied to 2000 and Existing Park Inventory 249.77 Existing 111.76 Standard 86.8 Existing 167.64 Standard 96.5 Existing 167.64 Standard 411.3 Existing 55.88 Standard 1331 Existing 55.88 Standard 87.15 Existing 55.88 Standard 2262.52 Existing 614.68 Standard Park Acreage Results for 2000 Surplus 138.01 Need 80.84 Need 71.14 Surplus 355.42 Surplus 1275.12 Surplus 31.27 Surplus 1647.84 63 Park Standard Applied to 2026 and Existing Park Inventory 249.77 Existing 163.7 Standard 86.8 Existing 245.55 Standard 96.5 Existing 245.5 Standard 411.3 Existing 81.85 Standard 1331 Existing 81.85 Standard 87.15 Existing 81.85 Standard 2262.52 Existing 900.35 Standard Park Acreage Results for 2026 Surplus 86.07 Need 158.67 Need 149.50 Surplus 329.45 Surplus1245.15 Surplus 5.3 Surplus 1362.17 123 Existing + 123 123 Existing + 123 Natural Areas* 217 Existing + 217 217 Existing + 217 Public Beach** 45.5 Existing + 45.5 45.5 Existing + 45.5 2000 Total Park Analysis for Planning Area Homeowners *** Association Property Surplus 2559.21 2026 Total Park Analysis for Planning Area Surplus 2273.54 376.37 Existing + 376.37 376.37 Existing + 376.37 *Site type applied only to city wide needs analysis, not individual planning areas. **Public beach access is unique to the City of Virginia Beach. Consequently, there is not a public beach standard that most other municipalities provide for addressing that need for their residents. However, public beach is included in the overall open space available to Virginia Beach residents. ***Homeowners Association (HOA) Properties 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.
Outdoor Recreational Asset 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 Asset Standard Applied to 2000 and Existing Park Inventory Asset Results for 2000 Asset Standard Applied to 2026 and Existing Park Inventory Asset Results for 2026 Tennis Courts 1 Court/5,000 36 Courts Existing 11 Courts Standard Surplus 25 Courts 36 Courts Existing 16 Courts Standard Surplus 20 Courts Outdoor Basketballs 1 Court/2,500 50 Courts Existing 22 Courts Standard Surplus 28 Courts 50 Courts Existing 33 Courts Standard Surplus 17 Courts Playgrounds 1 Site/2,000 59 Existing 28 Standard Surplus 31 59 Existing 41 Standard Surplus 18 Picnic Pavilions 1 Site/2,500 48 Existing 22 Standard Surplus 26 48 Existing 33 Standard Surplus 15 Baseball 200' Outfield 1 Field/3,125 22 Existing 18 Standard Surplus 4 22 Existing 26 Standard Need 4 Baseball 300' Outfield 1 Field/18,000 6 Existing 3 Standard Surplus 3 6 Existing 5 Standard Surplus 1 Field Softball (Youth Competitive) 1 Field/5,000 22 Existing 11 Standard Surplus 11 22 Existing 16 Standard Surplus 6 Softball (Adult Competitive) 1 Field/18,000 10 Existing 3 Standard Surplus 7 10 Existing 5 Standard Surplus 5 Soccer (Youth/Competitive/Practice) 1 Field/4,000 35 Existing 14 Standard Surplus 21 35 Existing 21 Standard Surplus 14 Soccer (Regulation/Competitive/) 1 Field/6,000 35 Existing 9 Standard Surplus 26 35 Existing 14 Standard Surplus 21 Football (Competitive/Practice) 1 Field/6,000 13 Existing 9 Standard Surplus 4 13 Existing 13 Standard Need 0 Lacrosse/Field Hockey 1 Field/50,000 4 Existing 1 Field Standard Surplus 3 4 Existing 2 Standard Surplus 2 Dog Parks 1 Site/50,000 1 Site Existing 1 Site Standard Need 0 1 Site Existing 2 Standard Need 1 Site Skate Parks (Inline, Skateboard, BMX) 1 Site/50,000 0 Existing 1 Site Standard Need 1 Site 0 Existing 2 Standard Need 2 64
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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. Dam Neck Road to General Booth Boulevard Trails - This lengthy spur of the City s shared-use pathway system connects single-family and multi-family residential areas as well as community-scale commercial areas with several schools, Red Wing Metro Park, as well as a number of neighborhood parks. (Pictometry 2005) 66
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: Princess Anne Road/Nimmo Parkway New shared use pathways will be constructed with roadway project. Transition Area Trail network under development with new subdivisions. Princess Anne Commons A one mile racing criterion track open to clubs for training is located at the Sportsplex. Numerous asphalt trails wind throughout the complex. A proposed 5 kilometer looped shared use pathway for every day use and special events is under study. 67
Courthouse Recommendations The recommendations provided below reflect a thorough consideration of the community priorities obtained through the public involvement process, Open Space/Parkland and Outdoor Recreational Amenity Statistical Analysis, and equity mapping analysis. The recommendations, starting with the Trails priorities provided on the preceding Bikeways and Trails System Map, are organized by outdoor recreational system components as denoted by the icons on the right side of the page below. The Capital Improvement Program Impact of these recommendations are summarized along with all of the other recommendations at the end of the Plan. Indian River Road Southside - Acquire the 800+ acre site located on the edge of the City s urban service boundary, just southeast of the intersection of Indian River and North Landing Roads. The site provides the unique opportunity to serve several different public purposes including active and passive recreation; preservation and restoration of environmentally sensitive areas as well as public water access to the North Landing River. Only low-impact, sustainable development practices should be considered in providing improvements to the site due to its transitional location. Opportunities should be pursued to leverage City resources by collaborating with other government and nonprofit organizations in the acquisition and management of the subject site. Little Island Park Improvements Update and implement the master plan for this Signature Park and provide low-impact and sustainable solutions to renovations of its supporting infrastructure. Princess Anne Athletic Complex Expansion Implement Phase II athletic fields development as well as other supporting park improvements to enhance the site s use to the general public by serving as the City s third Signature Park. Princess Anne Commons Partnerships Explore opportunities to leverage City-owned property with private and non-profit capital and operational resources to expand indoor and outdoor athletic field opportunities in the Princess Anne Commons Area. Three Oaks Community Park - Develop and implement a master plan for this undeveloped park land to primarily include athletic fields to meet the City-wide athletic programming need. 68
Courthouse Recommendations Skate Park Need - The 2026 statistical analysis shows a need for two skate parks to serve the Courthouse Planning Area. It is recommended that the City continue with its overall City-wide action sports park strategy to consider providing additional community park-scale skate parks after evaluating annual trends with attendance at existing municipal skate parks. If there is a demonstrated need it is recommended that the City s next skate park be developed in Courthouse at either Red Wing Metro Park, Princess Anne Commons or the future Three Oaks Community Park. Parks and Recreation Planning Resource for Homeowner Associations Serve as a resource to homeowners associations 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 meeting City-wide athletic field programming. Stumpy Lake to Back Bay Greenway Develop a comprehensive corridor feasibility and green infrastructure study for the Stumpy Lake to Back Bay Greenway. West Neck and Canal #2 Greenway - Develop a comprehensive corridor feasibility and green infrastructure study for the West Neck Creek Greenway which utilizes existing general open space properties and provides new public access to the City s scenic waterway network. West Neck Creek Natural Area Update and implement the master plan for this natural area to enhance public access throughout the site in balance with its natural environment and character. Provide Additional Opportunities for Public Water Access to Back Bay, North Landing River and West Neck Creek, including the following potential locations: Lotus Gardens Park in partnership with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service North Landing River at Gum Swamp Vicinity of Shipps Corner or London Bridge Rd./Dam Neck Rd. area West Neck Creek at Indian River Road 69