The Rudee Park Master Plan has reached a major milestone and is advancing into final design, marking a pivotal development for Virginia Beach, Virginia. The project will transform a large expansive area of impervious surface at the south end of the Oceanfront into a vibrant public park and contiguous greenspace that thoughtfully restores the primary dune system and maritime forest that once occupied the area. The project, led by Dills Architects, will enhance the community through sustainable design and comprehensive infrastructure solutions, including native plants, physical connection to the water, increased green spaces, walkability enhancements, and areas for recreation and gathering.
Adjacent to Rudee Inlet and steps from the Virginia Beach boardwalk and beach, Rudee Park is poised to become a lively, green urban park that enhances walkability, bike-ability, and scenic access for the entire city. Three initial concepts were shared with the public in 2025 through a rigorous community outreach program, setting the foundation for a refined plan that reflects the park’s unique coastal setting and role as a key civic destination. A final refined plan was created based on feedback from a second round of community engagement.
VHB’s role in bringing the plan to life included coastal engineering and resiliency, civil infrastructure, water resources, marine structures, environmental engineering, stormwater management, wet utility design, roadway and right-of-way design, permitting through authorities having jurisdiction, geomatics, and construction cost estimating. As a trusted partner to the city, VHB also led stakeholder workshops and a multi-phase community engagement process, using public outreach and feedback to help shape and finalize the preferred plan.
“Virginia Beach’s oceanfront is our central hub for tourism, which is a significant contributor to the city’s overall financial health,” said J.D. Hines, PE, ENV SP, VHB Project Manager. “The existing site is currently underutilized and has so much potential for all residents and visitors, especially with its proximity to scenic views, the beach, hotels, restaurants, and shops. The city is prioritizing the community by choosing to invest in a public park as a vibrant destination that benefits everyone equitably. When done correctly, public parks such as this can be the ‘lightning strike’ needed to spark adjacent real estate investment.”
The future park is expected to include inlet connection (get-downs), nature play areas, and a multi-use path connecting to the oceanfront boardwalk. The Rudee Park project is a strong example of how VHB works with clients and the community to deliver solutions that integrate environmental resilience, multimodal access, and public space design.
Learn more about Coastal Engineering and Resiliency at VHB.
