
DATE: Wednesday, February 26, 1997          TAG: 9702260506

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY NANCY LEWIS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   82 lines

NORFOLK RESIDENTS GET CREATIVE WITH THEIR VISIONS OF RECREATION

Norfolk needs places besides street corners where teens can hang out, some residents say. And when it comes to keeping kids out of trouble, bigger places are not necessarily better.

On the other hand, say others, large centers with more amenities would draw residents from a wider area, helping break down the parochialism that tends to divide the city.

These were among the sentiments expressed by Norfolk residents Tuesday night at a public forum on recreation.

About 60 citizens turned out for the session at Lafayette Winona Middle School. It was the first of two forums this week aimed at developing a 10-year recreation master plan scheduled to go before the City Council in July.

Another session is set for Thursday at Norview Middle School. Consultants from Leon Younger Leisure Vision Inc. of Kansas will also include results of a random phone survey of 400 residents and focus group meetings with public and private agencies such as schools, city departments and civic leagues.

``It's a process in the art of democracy,'' said Stanley Stein, director of Recreation, Parks and General Services. ``Sit with us and tell us. Design a vision for the future.''

Consultant Milton Thompson put it more succinctly: ``Beam yourselves up. Get creative.''

And so they did.

Folks put their heads together in square-table discussions, and the room was abuzz with ideas.

``My biggest concern is teens hanging out on street corners,'' said Bill Maxwell, vice president of the Meadowbrook Forest Civic League. ``They have nothing to do - no dances, drive-in movie theaters. A lot of kids aren't sports-oriented. They need a place to hang out - a controlled, nonparental environment.''

``Who's going to buy the supervision?'' asked Paul Lundquist of Roland Park.

``They could be run by kids, paid for through business donations and tax breaks,'' replied Maxwell. ``Teen clubs can't make it without help from the city.''

Arthur Harding of Ingleside concurred.

``The one in Ingleside's too small. There's a huge population, a lot of crime, but the kids don't have enough to do. We have to be supportive of what they need. They can't get to the big ones. It's a case of walking the streets late at night.''

Theodore Brevard of Norview said he'd like to see the quantity and quality of programs for girls improved, as well as playing fields for both boys and girls.

Robert Ingraham, an Ocean View senior citizen, said the importance of an intergenerational approach could not be overemphasized.

``It works good for the kids to see grandma and grandpa dancing, but they've got to have things to do, too. But we don't need everything every place.''

Consultant Thompson kept his mouth shut and listened, walking from table to table. Later, he said he'd learned a lot about what Norfolk's citizens want. Other items on their leisure-time wish list included:

More programs and facilities for the 25-50 age group.

More indoor aquatic facilities, including slides and splash pools.

More facilities closer to schools.

Partnerships and better use of existing facilities.

``I hear enthusiasm, not apathy,'' Thompson said. ``Folks here in Norfolk really care about how citizens use their leisure time.'' ILLUSTRATION: BETH BERGMAN/The Virginian-Pilot

Recreation supervisor Agatha Mears was among the citizens who

gathered at a public forum Tuesday to brainstorm about recreation

needs in Norfolk. Residents put their heads together to help the

city develop a plan.

GETTING INVOLVED

Another public forum on Norfolk's recreation plan will be held 7 to

9 p.m. Thursday at Norview Middle School cafeteria, 6325 Sewells

Point Road.

NORFOLK RECREATION CENTERS

Map

The Virginian-Pilot

SOURCE: City of Norfolk KEYWORDS: NORFOLK CITY COUNCIL