Jeff Robertson Park

Jeff Robertson Park (JRP) is a small (10-​acres) neighborhood park in Ghent. I work in the area, and I was looking for a place to walk. I’ve been to many parks in Hampton Roads, but not in Norfolk (except for Lafayette Park:
). Because of that, I might be a bit harsh when it comes to reviewing JRP.
* No restrooms except for one port-​a-​potty
* Soccer/​football field
* A short, paved walking path around the field and through the trees
* 3 benches in the front of the park (Hampton Blvd entrance)
* Elizabeth River Trail (ERT) runs in the wooded part of the park, but I haven’t been on the trail yet.
* If you have little ones who loves trains, they will love it here. You can see and hear some trains next door.
That is about it. Honestly, when I arrived at the park, I looked around and was like, «Really?» I was expecting so much more with the high marks on Unilocal.If it wasn’t for ERT, I would give it 2 stars. The paved path through the trees is quite nice and it’s a decent place to walk the dogs and stroll the babies. But there is nothing special about JRP.
When I first walked in the park, I saw a big sign on the left called Weyanoke Bird and Wildflower Sanctuary (WBWS) (
). I couldn’t find a business page on Unilocal so I set one up. I haven’t had a chance to check it out yet but hopefully someday soon.
With the lovely space in Ghent along with ERT and WBWS, I give it 3 stars. I wouldn’t go out of your way to see JRP, but if you live or work in the area, it’s a nice park.

This is not a park I can get overly excited about. But there are some improvements taking place around the bike and running trails. Aesthetically it’s uninspiring and just not much to it.
This park is pretty much only known by locals to Ghent. I see no other way you could know about it unless you have a purpose to visit and use GPS. It’s impossible to stumble upon since it is so deeply tucked back in the neighborhood. You access off of Hampton Blvd. The park is down the very end of a residential area beside Norfolk & Southern rail. What you may not know is the fact there is a wildflower preserve to your left as you enter. The Weyanoke Bird & Wildflower. I recommend checking this out.
The park has a huge open field for recreation which is it’s biggest positive. Soccer leagues, football and even extreme frisbee occupy the fields most often on weekends. When it is really wet it’s like a marsh and that is the biggest negative. Speaking of marsh there is a small pond/​marsh at the entrance. Watch your children as it is knee deep. Also watch your dogs, they will come out very nasty. Speaking of dogs this is not a dog park, they must be leashed. If you need a dog park Ghent Dog park is a great one.
Keep in mind some things that are customary to a park that Jeff Robertson does not have. There are no formal restrooms (a single port a potty) on the grounds. No playground equipment, park benches, shelters, or picnic tables. All good if you are aware up front and know what to expect.
The Elizabeth River trails are hidden from the road and used for biking and running. I’m glad to see the expansion of bike and running trails that will go beside the Weyanoke. There is a large contingent that use the trails daily and I imagine it will pick up with improvements. The park is deceivingly deep and does go back into the woods, the field is not the beginning, or end. Take advantage of the trail network.
On my most recent visit I was actually at the Weyanoke, but came over. They seem to have a problem with debris since it is a bit of an industrial area with the tracks. Cans are present and do your part to not only pick up your trash, but another idiot who threw there’s down. My son and I did just that with some clean up in around the marsh area where teens think it’s funny to use this as a place to dispose of bottles and cans.
If this is a place that your family commonly use than your view is improved over mine. I have the most experience at this park as a volunteer with clean up when I am at the Weyanoke. With warmer weather upon us I am sure there are activities that will be planned and that does excite me. Norfolk is not flush with green space and Jeff Robertson offers it big time.

This is just a great place to come. It’s near the shipyards where my ship is ported currently and my division jogs here a few times a week to PT. This week we used the wide open field to play ultimate frisbee. It is also great if you want to bring you dog and let him/​her run around. I didn’t see a water fountain around anywhere so be sure to bring a bottle of water. Nor did I see a restroom. There could be on but I didn’t venture to far around the park, I mainly stayed on the football/​baseball/​soccer/​lacrosse/​softball field.

What a lovely green space. Tons of trees, a nice wide paved path for running, walking, whatever-​ing. Bonus: TRAINS!
We don’t make it here as often as I wish, but I see many many games of catch here in my future.
I love finding Treasure Among the Trees with my toddler (but don’t let the muggles see you) to see what’s new.

What a beautiful park in the middle of residential Ghent. You really have to know where you’re going to find this place. Not only do you have to maneuver through a series of one way roads, but this par is tucked away on a street you can easily miss when you finally get in range. However, when you get there, you’ll realize why I had given it 4 stars. It’s really quite a nice big park. The reason it was ding-​ed 1 star was for the dog aspect of it. Many of us bring dogs there when the other dog parks are closed (Ghent Dog Park and the PETA parks), but know that the park is not completely fenced in and there is a giant «lake» of muddy water that I know some of your dogs cannot resist. The park is big enough for most dogs to keep their attention in the center of the place and not even notice that it opens in certain areas.
This is the same park that the annual EVMS Powder Puff Football game is held. As with most of the parks in the area, the park is «open» and «closed» with the rising and setting of the sun. I can also easily see this place as a nice place to picnic, play soccer or other outdoor grassy sports.