Green spaces populated by native plants. Water features and splash pads to play in. A lawn designed to provide views of the sunset over the marina on one side, and a sweeping raised pathway with ocean views on the other.
These are just some elements in the plans for a multifaceted public park at Rudee Loop architects unveiled to Virginia Beach city council this week.
The turnaround at the south end of Atlantic Avenue used to be part of the system of sand dunes and the maritime forest. It’s mostly asphalt and parking now.
After decades of debate, the city is moving forward with plans to maintain public access and turn it into a park.
It’s a hot spot for surfers catching waves near the jetty and fishers casting for bluefish in Rudee Inlet. The city also uses the lots as a staging area for festivals, parking trailers from traveling shows along with public safety vehicles.
Architects said the plans for the updated park will meet those needs and create a community gathering space, with opportunity for more.
“Imagine yourself walking down the trail and feeling this experience and being immersed in nature,” said Kona Gray, a landscape architect with the Fort Lauderdale-based firm EDSA.
“This is where parents and families can come together. They can just spend a little bit of time at a picnic, throw a little birthday party, celebrate life and celebrate being here at Virginia Beach.”
Designs by Dills Architects for the park were based on community feedback. Michael Kirschman, director of Parks and Recreation, said water features and a central plaza were popular with people who responded to surveys.
The designs also included two options for parking. A parking garage and surface lots would provide a total of 530 spaces. Surface parking alone would provide 360 spaces.
Parking is in high demand at the Oceanfront, but council debated the cost of including the garage and if it would prevent resort management from using the area to stage festivals.
Councilmember David Hutcheson, the former fire chief, emphasized the importance of the lots to public safety during big weekends at the Oceanfront.
“That space that we’re going to be using is nowhere near what it is currently, right?” he said. “It is what it is. We will have to change what we’re doing.”
The overall cost for the project is estimated to be $70.5 million, including $22 million to build the garage.
Council is expected to provide a final direction on the plans in June, and construction would be complete in December 2028.
