Bluestone Ave Playground

This is actually NOT a dog park. It’s a city park and a children’s playground — it is not entirely enclosed by a fence and dogs are to remain leashed. I will come be grumpy at you, because our dog whines and looks at us like we’re terrible people for not allowing him to play like all the others at the back of park.
A good mix of playground apparatuses… apparati… Things for your kids to burn off some energy by playing on. The pirate ship is always crawling with a few Captains scouting the seas for treasure.
Benches and a few scattered picnic tables also make this park a good place to toss down some coffee or devour your lunch.
It could be better-​maintained in terms of cleanliness, but at least the Playground Proper is generally trash-​free.

I recently stumbled upon this quaint little neighborhood park in the Larchmount neighborhood of Norfolk. I have now enjoyed lunch with the kids a few times now and have really fallen in love with it’s beauty. The description has this as a Dog Park, but it is not. However, it is a dog friendly park if the pooch is on a leash.
The park is located directly behind ODU’s Foreman Field and among small 1950 – 1960’s residential homes. The current space has been utilized for a recreation area for a number of years, but the park as it exist today with it’s playground equipment is around 10 years old. The entire area is shady which is a parents dream. Parking is off street only. I consider the area to be completely safe.
The grounds are enclosed with an attractive black aluminum fence. A short run to the back is a tall wooden privacy fence. There are two gates with both having child safety locks. Bottom line is this is a secure play are for small children with great visual lines of sight to watch the kids enjoying themselves. I found the park spotless and grassy portion well manicured on my times visiting. There is a single trash can which is maintained by the city of Norfolk.
Let’s talk equipment, because it’s cool. The central playground is a pirate ship. The second one has a slide and curly pole. There are also two sets of swings and one is for a toddler. I would consider the top age range for the playground to be 10 – 12. The ground cover around the equipment is mulch. A huge shaded grassy area for recreation is to the back. I consider this one of the best things about the park.
There are some limitations to the park that anyone visiting should be aware of. However, keep in perspective this is a small neighborhood park. Only a few benches and a few tables are available to families. There is enough room for a small shelter and grills, but they do not have them. Also absent is a restroom facility and water fountain. So don’t forget to bring something for the little ones to keep hydrated.
I usually would not give a park a four without upgraded items like shelter and restrooms. This property is in another class with it being a neighborhood park in my opinion. I am sure this property is such a treasure for the neighborhood. I just could not help but fall in love with Bluestone Park when I first laid eyes on it and I think you will agree.