NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A portion of the former nine-hole Lambert’s Point Golf Course in Norfolk has officially been designated as a public park.
The roughly 15-acre site off the Elizabeth River at W. 43rd Street is right next to Old Dominion University and still includes the driving range for ODU’s golf teams.
The park space sits to the right of that range, with a 125-foot-wide city easement that wraps around along the river.
It’s what’s left behind after the Hampton Roads Sanitation District bought most of the old course from the city for a new sustainable water project called SWIFT.
The site will be a “passive park,” meaning minimal maintenance will be required. Norfolk’s proposed fiscal year 2025 budget includes $31,000 to pay for disposal, landscaping and signage over the next year.
Signs designating the park went up just this week, about nine months after Brian Friedman and others with the Lambert’s Point City Park Steering Committee began advocating to keep the site as public open space.
They petitioned city leaders and got thousands of signatures from the community.
Friedman is thrilled with the recent developments, and took 10 On Your Side on a tour of the new park on Friday with his friendly husky named Sky.
“We asked for something very simple. Establish, hold on to the last 15 acres of City of Norfolk, publicly owned green space on the river and keep it in the public trust. Here we are!”
He calls it a park “for all seasons,” where people can walk and take in the sunset, fly a kite or even going sledding in the winter. The site’s on a former landfill that features rolling hills and some of the highest elevations in Norfolk.
Going forward, Friedman said he’s looking for a longer-term commitment from the city to keep the space a park, and is hoping ODU’s driving range can eventually be moved to free up a little more room.
“Our concern is that it’s only 15 acres. It’s a very small parcel of land. You know the adage in the old westerns, this town isn’t big enough for the both of us? Well I think it really applies here.”
ODU recently told 10 On Your Side they were still working with the city on the best solution going forward.
He says his nonprofit wants to keep the space mostly as is, though they’re looking to raise funds to help the city with improvements like raised bed community garden, benches and more.
“Take the burden off the City of Norfolk’s budget with our foundation. It’s truly a blank space, but let’s be smart about it. We ask the City of Norfolk, please consult with us. Let us be on your team to help positively influence the shape of this.”
He’s even envisioned having a small amphitheater for about a hundred or so spectators right on the Elizabeth River.
“It was carved out to be a gorgeous setting for music and the performing arts. My interest now is to approach friends and foundations across the nations that will support the performing arts in a setting like … you can count on me to open that door,” Friedman said.
Friedman also just learned on Friday that HRSD is allowing the public to temporarily use a portion of their property next to that 15-acre site. That opens up even more walking paths and one hill that Friedman says is the tallest in the city.
The city said Friday it’s still working to formalize an agreement with HRSD about that land use. They added that more signage is going up, along with trashcans and other items, ahead of the park’s official opening on Monday.
“This is a gift, this is a true gift,” Friedman said.
