Little Neck Planning Area Current Reality The Little Neck Planning Area is characterized by established residential neighborhoods, Town Center and Pembroke. The Eastern and Western Branches of the Lynnhaven River define the Little Neck peninsula itself. The majority of the planning area is developed with limited opportunities for acquiring undeveloped properties for preservation and future recreational uses. However, recent opportunities have occurred in the past to provide open space and enhance outdoor recreation including preservation wooded area parallel to much of the west side of Little Neck Road; the development of the plaza at Town Center; assumption of the Lynnhaven baseball complex; and start of the implementation of the Thalia Creek Greenway Master Plan. Future opportunities for open space preservation and enhancing outdoor recreation for Little Neck residents should be focused on continuing to implement the Thalia Creek Greenway Master Plan; providing physical access to Mount Trashmore Signature Park; and incorporating green space with reshaping projects. The table below provides the 2000 census population as well as the theoretical build-out population for the Bayside estimated in the City s 2003 Comprehensive Plan. Year Percent Change Census Year - 2000 29,429 Theoretical Build-Out Year - 2026 31,397 7% 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 Little Neck and affect the City s planning for outdoor recreation in the planning area include: Established single-family residential neighborhoods Town Center Eastern and Western Branches of Lynnhaven River Thalia Creek Norfolk-Southern right-of-way opportunity 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 Little Neck, served as the primary drivers for the overall open space and outdoor planning recommendations that are provided at the end of this section. 46 Little Neck Planning Area is geographically bund by Lynnhaven Bay to the north, Interstate 264 to the south, the eastern branch of the Lynnhaven River to the east, and the western branch of the Lynnhaven River to the west. Thalia Creek Greenway Primary Corridor Lynnhaven Baseball Complex
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 Park Standard Applied to 2000 and 59.28 Existing 58.8 Standard 0 Existing 88.2 Standard 0 Existing 88.2 Standard 10.79 Existing 29.40 Standard Park Acreage Results for 2000 Surplus 0.48 Need 88.2 Need 88.2 Need 18.61 Park Standard Applied to 2026 and 59.28 Existing 62.8 Standard 0 Existing 94.1 Standard 0 Existing 94.1 Standard 10.79 Existing 31.4 Standard Park Acreage Results for 2026 Need 3.52 Need 94.1 Need 94.1 Need 20.61 Special Use Facility 1.0 Acre/1,000 15.6 Existing 29.40 Standard Need 13.81 15.6 Existing 31.4 Standard Need 43.68 School Parks 1.0 Acre/1,000 26.43 Existing 29.40 Standard Need 2.7 26.43 Existing 31.4 Standard Need 4.97 Total Park 11.0 /1,000 112.1 Existing 323.71 Standard Need 211.04 112.1 Existing 345.36 Standard Need 233.26 2000 Total Park Analysis for Planning Area Need 205.17 2026 Total Park Analysis for Planning Area Need 226.69 Homeowners * Association Property 6.57 Existing + 6.57 Existing + 6.57 * 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. 47
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 Tennis Courts 1 Court/5,000 Outdoor Basketballs 1 Court/2,500 Asset Standard Applied to 2000 and 8 Courts Existing 6 Courts Standard 19 Courts Existing 12 Courts Standard Asset Results for 2000 Surplus 2 Courts Surplus 7 Courts Asset Standard Applied to 2026 and 8 Courts Existing 6 Courts Standard 19 Courts Existing 12 Courts Standard Asset Results for 2026 Surplus 2 Courts Surplus 7 Playgrounds 1 Site/2,000 14 Existing 19 Standard Need 5 14 Existing 21 Standard Need 7 Picnic Pavilions 1 Site/2,500 2 Existing 12 Standard Need 10 2 Existing 12 Standard Need 10 Baseball 200' Outfield 1 /3,125 7 Existing 9 Standard Need 2 7 Existing 10 Standard Need 3 Baseball 300' Outfield 1 /18,000 Softball (Youth Competitive) 1 /5,000 Softball (Adult Competitive) 1 /18,000 Soccer (Youth/Competitive/ Practice) 1 /4,000 Soccer (Regulation/Competitive/) 1 /6,000 Football (Competitive/Practice) 1 /6,000 Lacrosse/ Hockey 1 /50,000 Dog Parks 1 Site/50,000 1 Existing 2 Standard 7 Existing 6 Standard 0 Existing 2 Standard 10 Existing 7 Standard 10 Existing 5 Standard 6 Existing 5 Standard 0 Existing 0 Standard 0 Existing Need 1 Need 2 Surplus 3 Surplus 5 Need 0 Need 0 1 Existing 2 Standard 7 Existing 6 Standard 0 Existing 2 Standard 10 Existing 8 Standard 10 Existing 5 Standard 6 Existing 5 Standard 0 Existing 0 Standard 0 Existing Need 1 Need 2 Surplus 2 Surplus 5 Need 0 Need 0 Skate Parks (Inline, Skateboard, BMX) 1 Site/50,000 0 Existing Need 0 0 Existing Need 0 48
49
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 Little Neck 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. Little Neck Trail - Extends north from Virginia Beach Boulevard as a wide sidewalk, transitioning to an asphalt shared-use pathway along Little Neck Road and Harris Road providing access from several neighborhoods in Kings Grant and Little Neck to numerous parks, schools and various other community destinations. 50
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: Little Neck Trail This is an existing shared use path along the west side of Little Neck Road from Virginia Beach Blvd. to W. Little Neck Rd. Thalia Creek Greenway This proposed greenway project runs along Thalia Creek in the area around Town Center. The master plan document was completed in April 2007. The master plan includes a pedestrian crossing at I-264 to link Town Center and Mount Trashmore. Norfolk Southern Railroad Right of Way and Southern Boulevard This corridor is identified for mass transit. There is potential to incorporate a parallel shared use path along this corridor within the Little Neck Planning Area. 51
Little Neck Recommendations Thalia Creek Greenway Implementation Acquire necessary land and easements both preserve and provide future public access improvements within the greenway corridor in accordance with the Master Plan. Public Access to and from Lynnhaven River - Provide additional opportunities for public access to Lynnhaven River and Thalia Creek considering such sites as Thalia Elementary School; open space opportunities within the Thalia Creek Greenway and existing publicly-owned waterfront sites. Preservation of Little Neck Road Property Preserve City-owned general open space sites along west side of Little Neck Road as a buffer to adjacent residential neighborhoods. Preservation of Residual City Land and Right-of-Way Preserve existing Cityowned land parallel to roadways and pursue development of pocket parks in these areas where appropriate. New Neighborhood Park Development Coordinate with Little Neck residents in renovation of existing parks and through redevelopment projects to ensure available parkland is meeting their needs. Also, pursue acquisition of neighborhood park-size undeveloped property in need areas. Additional Athletic Need Evaluate all existing parkland and elementary school sites to provide new athletic field improvements primarily to serve Little Neck residents. 52