Virginia – After Hurricane Matthew struck the Virginia Beach Area in 2016, the city began looking for ways to mitigate damage from stormwater. The resulting solution could also bring additional recreational amenities.
City officials now plan to convert the former Bow Creek Golf Course into a stormwater park, allowing an area for water overflow but also building amenities for community use when not flooded. The project will be funded by a half–billion-dollar bond referendum voters approved in 2021.
Once the conversion is completed, Bow Park will be able to hold 300 acre-feet of water.
The 121-acre site will also include nature trails, multi-use paths, pickleball courts, wildlife viewing areas, launches for canoes and kayaks, restrooms, pump track, sand volleyball courts, a playground and a rentable event pavilion.
Construction will take place in two phases: Phase one, with a price tag of $28.1 million, will close off part of the east side of the park. Phase one is set to be completed by 2026.
Phase two is currently in the design phase and is expected to cost around $40 million.