On July 14, Brian Friedman, a leader of the Friends of Lambert’s Point City Park, took Rotary Club of Norfolk members on the journey he and other volunteers traveled to help create the city’s newest park – Lambert’s Point Public Open Space.
From the 1940s to the 1980s, the site along the Elizabeth River in the Lambert’s Point neighborhood was a landfill site. In 2005, the 60 acres were transformed into the nine-hole public Lambert’s Point Golf Course. When the city sold 40 acres to the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) to expand its neighboring sewage treatment plant in 2019, a 115-foot public easement was preserved along the riverbanks, and the future of a 15-acre city parcel was left in limbo.
After the golf course closed in December 2022, Brian and other concerned citizens campaigned to turn the remaining land into a public park. Their grassroots organization gathered 7,000 signatures on a petition, held meetings, created signs, enlisted support from environmental groups, and earned media coverage. Their efforts led the City of Norfolk to designate its remaining part of the former trash dump/golf course as public open space in April 20024. HRSD also granted temporary access to 20 acres of its land while it finalizes its expansion plans.
In his presentation, Brian highlighted the beauty, amenities, and potential of the new 35-acre city park. Its 100 designated free parking spots make access off of Powhatan Avenue easy. Former paved golf cart paths invite walkers and bikers to explore the park. With hills rising 73 feet above sea level, the park is the coastal city’s highest point, offering a strenuous workout for walkers and bikers and rewarding visitors with scenic riverfront vistas and stunning sunsets.
The once-manicured golf course greens are rewilding with goldenrod and other plants providing an expansive wildflower garden that attracts butterflies and other pollinators. Watery coves are havens for wildlife like ducks and egrets since the park sits in the migratory birds’ Atlantic Flyway path.
Recently, the Friends of the Lambert’s Point Park gained official nonprofit status to accept donations. Its mission is to help preserve and enhance the natural areas of the park and to help grow the park as a destination for recreation, eco-tourism, education, conservation, and visual and performing arts.
Brian and his 16 fellow board members envision adding amenities like benches, water fountains for people and dogs, picnic tables, bike racks, restrooms, and shade shelters. They see the park as a place for public art, outdoor concerts, and a gathering spot for people seeking wellness and community.
The park at 4303 Powhatan Avenue is adjacent to Old Dominion University and open daily from sunrise to sunset. To learn more, visit www.lambertspointcitypark.org.
On July 21, hear from Patrick Shim, Managing Director of LS Cable & System/LS GreenLink USA, as he shares how the company's historic investment in Chesapeake is creating jobs, strengthening America's energy infrastructure, and positioning Hampton Roads as a global manufacturing hub.
Then on August 11, Benjamin Hoover, President of XKIG, will discuss how a Norfolk-based company grew into a national leader in utility infrastructure while remaining deeply rooted in our region. His story of innovation, leadership, and growth is one you won't want to miss. 