THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604130114
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
WHAT WOULD BE the possibility of turning City Park into a sports and entertainment complex for Portsmouth?
The 90-acre park, on the left ventricle of the heart of the city, presently is home to a nine-golf golf course, four tennis courts, a volleyball area, Friendship Garden, amphitheater, boat ramp and a miniature train, Pokey Smokey.
Including the cemetery, the entire complex covers more than 125 acres.
Still, Portsmouth is in need of a complete athletic complex.
Other than high school facilities, the city offers little in recreation for its citizens. Outstanding community centers are now throughout the boroughs of Chesapeake, complete with athletic fields for virtually every sport.
Behind the Western Branch Community Center alone are more playing fields than exist throughout most of Portsmouth.
Perhaps the time has arrived for Portsmouth to look into changing or expanding the offerings at City Park. Maybe the Parks and Recreation Department itself could be moved to that site, providing the hourly supervision and maintenance that might be required.
Already suggested to one city council member is lighting for the golf course, allowing Portsmouth to have night-time play.
When Sleepy Hole opened, there was a proposal to convert the City Park golf course to a mini-course and a driving range, using space that would become available for a zoo with other amusement features.
The city now operates Bide-A-Wee golf course. Funds might be made available to set up nine-hole play there for seniors, women or children who might be interested in such an outing, in addition to providing more money for improvements over the 18 holes by having only the single course to maintain.
There definitely is a need for a municipal swimming pool. A miniature putt-putt course could be added. Floating piers have been recommended.
What about fishing and crabbing piers?
Most plans for improvements discussed through the years for City Park have included the addition of a water-side restaurant. Nearly 70 percent of City Park borders on the Elizabeth River.
When George Hanbury was city manager, he felt City Park might become a crown jewel for Portsmouth but this never reached fruition.
In 1983 a consultant, Wilson-Moreth Partnership Ltd. of Richmond (shown adjacent to story is the redevelopment masterplan), was hired to develop plans for a $750,000 improvement at City Park.
Some improvements were made but no action was ever taken on the possibility of getting private investment in new attractions. A marina and a waterslide were among suggestions that did not materialize.
There was discussion of expanded sailing programs with rental of boats by a private group. Once the city attempted its own rental program, using six rowboats, four Navy surplus sailboats and two canoes.
Former director of recreation Jim Greiner pointed out ``the location of the park as far as sailing is concerned is unsurpassed in the state of Virginia. It's perfect because of the broad, protected waters, shallow, sandy bottoms and fair winds.''
There were attempts eight years ago to get a restaurant or marina at City Park. A study showed one likely site could house a restaurant seating up to 400 with 100 parking spaces and a marina with several hundred boat slips and 150 parking spaces.
The city offered to lease the land to a developer for up to 40 years. Two proposals were received and both were rejected.
Nevertheless, City Park is still one of the best things Portsmouth has to offer.
``I don't think half the people in the city realize what a beautiful place it is and what is offered there now,'' said Sheila Pittman, the city clerk.
``More activities could get the people there. And once they see it, they will come back. We've lost a lot of programs that brought people out before - fireworks, sailboat and power boat races, Hunting and Fishing Days and the sailing program we once had.
``A fine restaurant would be a step in the right direction toward building City Park, even if it is to help market what we already have there.''
Events in the past have drawn as many as 12,000 to the park in a single day. Use counts were taken one summer, showing 52,751 people came to the park during that period. More than 8,000 utilized the boat ramp, 7,456 played golf and the people came in 19,375 vehicles.
Estimates are that more than 200,000 people visit City Park over a year. Of course, many are repeat visitors.
Dr. L. Pettis Patton, director of leisure services in Portsmouth, said she would be interested in hearing what citizens have to say about additional development of the park.
``I would have to think about making any changes in the golf course because its uniqueness at nine holes with its scenic attractions has made it one of the most playable courses in the region,'' said Patton. `` But I certainly support the addition of a municipal swimming pool and I would love to see a restaurant there, too.'' ILLUSTRATION: Drawing of redevelopment masterplan
Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Mark Keating, tennis coach at Stonebridge High School, gives Chris
Chacko, 13, a lesson on the courts in City Park.
Photo
John Martin plays the 4th hole on the City Park golf course.
by CNB