LIGHTING UP UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES PARKS AFTER DARK brought the community together for a new late-night event series held at Williams Farm Park. The program, which began in June 2023, featured live music, sports, games and more, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. Throughout the year, the Therapeutic Recreation and Inclusion Services team offered a wide range of programs, including new collaborative events with Chesapeake and Norfolk, such as the Neon Nights Dance. As part of a city-wide project, a new Parks & Recreation website was launched in June. The site, which receives over half a million
visits a year, now includes improved layout and navigation, with a focus on enhancing ADA access and connecting our community to programs and services. Community groups and volunteers from the Eastern Virginia Mountain Biking Association, who helped design and construct the new mountain bike trails at Marshview Park, celebrated the trail opening at a chaincutting ceremony in May. The five miles of multi-use trail feature three difficulty levels and a range of ‘technical terrain’ features to test biking skills. Volunteers also brought some color to the Seatack Park basketball court, through a community painting project.
Community basketball court painting at Seatack Park (Top) Therapeutic Recreation Neon Nights Dance (bottom right) Parks After Dark at Williams Farm Park (bottom left) Marshview Park mountain bike trails (left)
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