In FY24, Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism completed major park upgrades, launched new branding and educational initiatives, and secured $149,000 in grants to enhance community spaces and tourism efforts.
The past year has been a dynamic one, filled with exciting developments like new programs, expanded events, and ongoing park improvements. The team has focused on revitalizing the second floor of the Gloucester Museum of History, introducing a vibrant new Visit Gloucester brand, and fostering partnerships to elevate our community and visitor experiences.
The Tourism division has worked tirelessly to expand marketing initiatives, showcasing Gloucester's rich history, breathtaking beauty, and endless opportunities for fun and exploration. None of these achievements would be possible without our passionate staff and incredible volunteers, whose commitment to our mission is truly invaluable. They ensure our parks remain safe and inviting, our events memorable, and our community thriving.
We thank you for exploring our parks, attending our programs, and supporting our efforts to keep Gloucester a gem on Virginia’s coast. There’s so much more to come—stay tuned as we continue to grow and make Gloucester even better in the year ahead!
Matthew Barber Director
Projects
In FY24, Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism made significant progress on various projects to enhance community spaces and visitor experiences.
We successfully completed three ARPA-funded initiatives, including launching a new Visit Gloucester brand and developing virtual field trips and educational videos.
Major park improvements included the Woodville Field Renovation, the installation of a new basketball/pickleball court at Ark Park, the paving of the Beaverdam Park parking lot, and the addition of a new floating dock at Beaverdam. Accessibility and facility upgrades were also a priority, with ADA improvements at Ark Park, interior renovations at Whitcomb Lodge, and exterior upgrades to the Beaverdam 606 shelter and restroom facility. Additionally, we renovated the large soccer field at Abingdon Park and purchased a new rescue boat for Beaverdam to enhance safety on the water
Beyond physical improvements, we were awarded an impressive $149,000 in grant funding to support future projects, including a $50,000 VMHC grant for revitalizing the second floor of the museum, a $20,000 Virginia Tourism Corporation marketing grant, $9,000 from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, $60,000 in ARPA funding, and a $10,000 VA250 marketing grant to develop a new website for the 250th anniversary celebration.
These accomplishments reflect our ongoing commitment to enhancing recreational, cultural, and historical resources for our residents and visitors
Woodville Park Field Renovations
Beaverdam
Park Visitation & Rentals
Park visitation remains strong, with community members actively enjoying all locations for a variety of recreational activities. Woodville Park, Ark Park, and Abingdon Park see high usage for athletic programs, hosting practices, games, and tournaments for various sports These parks provide essential facilities for youth leagues, school teams, and adult recreation, fostering a sense of community and encouraging healthy lifestyles. As demand for outdoor spaces remains high, Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism remains committed to maintaining and enhancing these cherished public spaces for all to enjoy.
12,071 4,410BOATERS TRAILUSERS
Clean Community
Facility Rentals
485 1,054
Athletic Field Reservations
The division actively collaborates with local organizations, schools, and volunteers to promote recycling awareness and organize impactful community cleanup events. These efforts not only help reduce waste and keep Gloucester beautiful but also encourage residents to take an active role in environmental responsibility. Through educational programs, outreach campaigns, and hands-on service projects, Clean Community continues to foster a culture of sustainability and civic engagement throughout the county.
12,195.5 804
The Clean Community division continues to take significant steps in environmental stewardship by leading the effort for Gloucester to remain a Bee City USA affiliate, reinforcing the county’s commitment to pollinator conservation and sustainable landscaping practices. This designation highlights the importance of protecting bees and other pollinators that play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
Park & Recreational Programs
430 3,931
Programs/Events Offered Participants Served
614,367.25
18,405
Recreation Athletics
Best Years Trips (170) 1. Bingo (159) 2. Camps (100) 3 Kayak Camp (72) 4. Kids Free Fishing (61) 5. Homeschool Adventures (53) 6. Park After Dark (37) 7. Grinch Scavenger Hunt (35) 8 Dog Training (34) 9. Owl Walks (17) 10. Wild Explorers Camp (14) 11. Pictures in the Park (13) 12 Hug A Tree (7) 13.
TOTAL TOUCH POINTS/SESSION VISITS
51,525 *Eg. 1 child for basketball but participates 3X week Yoga (763) 1. Soccer (721) 2 Gymnastics (529) 3. Karate (400) 4. Basketball (299) 5. Field Hockey (59) 6 Baseball (40) 7. Dog Training (34) 8. Volleyball (21) 9. Food Safety (9) 10.
Events
The 2024 Daffodil Festival brought in approximately 21,700 residents/visitors to Main Street. The festival consisted of over 200 vendors, children activities, & live music.
Beaverdam Park Triathlon consisted of 17 competitors. Athletes had to run, bike, and then paddle to the finish line We welcomed not only local triathletes but a few participates were from out of the Gloucester area
Concerts on the Green welcomed 5 live music groups to the revamped historic courthouse circle Each event brought in over 50 attendees
The Christmas & Holiday Parade is a cherished tradition in Gloucester, bringing the community together to kick off the holiday season with festive spirit and excitement. Featuring around 40 entries, the parade showcases a vibrant mix of school groups, sports teams, local businesses, churches, and nonprofit organizations, all coming together to spread holiday cheer.
Touch A Truck was held at Woodville Park and welcomed 333 attendees. Organizations/businesses that participated included Gloucester County Public Schools Virginia, Gloucester County Sheriff's Office, Cox Communications, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Virginia Department of Transportation, Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue Inc., Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, Inc., Gloucester Public Utilities, Gloucester Refuse, Virginia Department of Forestry and VMRC - Virginia Marine Resources Commission
1st Annual Restaurant Week is planned in partnership with Economic Development. Eighteen locally owned restaurants throughout Gloucester were highlighted during the week and saw an increase in sales. Each restaurant were tasked with creating a special menu for the week or choosing a specific dish to put in the spotlight for that week.
Kids Craft Market was held in the Spring in the Colonial Court Circle and consisted of 25 young vendors selling handmade items. This event brought in 200+ guests and is one o requested events
Tourism
2024 was an incredible year for Gloucester, VA Tourism, marked by growth, innovation, and community engagement! The year saw an impressive increase in visitor numbers, drawn by signature events like the 38th Annual Daffodil Festival, Christmas & Holiday Parade, Concerts on The Green, Gloucester Wine Festival, Gloucester 250th, and Main Street events. Visit Gloucester was able to introduce a new brand and look for our marketing assets and social presence.
Gloucester’s history remained a central attraction, with the development of the Gloucester 250th committee. From historical reenactments and public programming to cultural events and art exhibitions, Gloucester's 250th committee produced unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors alike. With an emphasis on education, preservation, and community.
Second Sunday Series included: 1774 Gloucester County Resolves, General Lafayette, James Armistead Lafayette, partnering with Machicomoco State Park for their Indigeous People Celebration Weekend, Memorial Dedication Ceremony honoring the French Soliders in the Battle of The Hook, Celebration of Gloucester Veterans, and Waiting for Washington at the Edgehill House.
Visitor Center & History Museum
The Visitor Center & Gift Shop saw a high level of visitation last year. The gift shop introduced newly branded clothing options and held to the standards of choosing American Made items or locally crafted. The visitor center continues to offer Virginia Is For Lovers merchandise.
The Gloucester Museum of History saw an increase of 40% in visitation last year compared to 2023. Staff also participated in many historic outreach programs and events including the Living History Weekend, held twice a year.
