News Flash

April 19, 2021 - Several offices and services in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services that were once closed because of the pandemic are now open or plan to reopen in the next few weeks. Other city departments and services are also reopening. If the department, office or service you’re interested in isn’t listed below, or if you need more information,  please call that department or the 3-1-1 Citizen Contact Center (726-8311):

Open in Parks: 

• Air Power Park Museum
• Athletic fields for practice and game play under Virginia High School League and new Virginia guidelines ( less than 500 spectators) 
• Basketball courts
• Bluebird Gap Farm
• BMX Track at Gosnold’s Hope Park
• Buckroe comfort station
• Community Gardens
• Darling Stadium (under guidance for sports arenas, 30% capacity)
• Dog parks
• Fishing at Armistead Pointe and Sandy Bottom Nature Park
• Golf courses and facilities
• Hampton Clean City Commission activities
• Hampton History Museum
• Hampton Tennis Center
• James T. Wilson Fishing Pier 
• Parks, trails, and open spaces
• Playgrounds
• Shelter rentals in all parks for under 25 per Shelter or under 100 in River Birch Shelter at Gosnold’s Hope Park
• Special event permit applications and park rental for private/invitation-only social gatherings of  less 100 persons and sporting events (under separate guidance) at this time; No “Open to the Public” Events
• Volleyball courts
• War Memorial Stadium (under state guidance for sports arenas at 30% capacity)
• Woodlands Skate Park

 Closed for the season, but opening soon:  

• Beaches (opening Memorial Day, Saturday, May 29)
• Community centers, for fitness activities and room rentals only, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday (opening May 3)

Includes Fort Monroe, North Phoebus, Northampton, and West Hampton Community Centers

• Sandy Bottom Nature Park facility, campsites, picnic shelters, and kayak/boat rentals will be available starting May 3 (Yurts to remain closed)
• Fort Monroe pool (for lap lanes by appointment starting May 3)
• Hampton Aquatic Center (for limited lap lanes by appointment starting May 3. Scheduled team practices currently permitted.)
• Hampton Carousel (opening June 1)
• Hampton Senior Center, 8:30 a.m-4 p.m. Monday-Friday (opening May 3)
• Therapeutic Recreation Center for Summer Camp, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. (camp opening June 22)
• Hampton Carousel reopens June 1

 Weddings, graduations: Although large-scale citywide festivals remain cancelled at this time, outdoor event permit applications for events such as private weddings and graduation celebrations are being accepted now for events with fewer than 100 attendees.  Picnic shelters are available for rental under social-distancing capacities, generally at 25 per shelter, with the exception of the larger River Birch Shelter at Gosnold’s Hope Park which can safely hold up to 100 persons under distancing guidelines.  

Also reopen:

• Hampton Public Library
• Hampton History Museum

 Closed Until Further Notice:

• Junior Ranger Camp at Sandy Bottom Nature Park
• Neighborhood Centers (USDA “Grab & Go” feeding program continues)
• Outdoor public events  

Only private, invitation-only events with   less than 100 are permitted at this time; no “open to the public” events

• Yurt rentals at Sandy Bottom Nature Park