Chapter 26 - PARKS AND RECREATION#
Footnotes: --- (1) ---
Cross reference— Residency requirements for director of recreation and parks, § 2-4; amusements, Ch. 5; armory, Ch. 7; driving in parks, § 22-69; destruction of trees, shrubs, etc., in parks, § 25-35; wetlands zoning, § 27.5-21 et seq.
State Law reference— Authority of city to establish and maintain parks and playgrounds, Code of Virginia, § 15.2-1806.
Sec. 26-1. - Closing hours for city parks and recreation areas.#
All parks and recreation areas belonging to the city shall be closed for use by the public from one (1) hour following sunset until sunrise the following morning, except that those play areas that are illuminated shall be closed at 10:30 p.m. This section shall not apply when such parks and recreation areas are being used by organized and supervised events and programs.
(Code 1963, § 4-1)
Sec. 26-2. - Recreation and park rates and fees.#
The following fees shall be charged for the use of City parks and recreation facilities and services.
A. General.#
| Fee Type | Current | As of January 1, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Returned Check Fee | - | $35.00 |
| Chargeback Recovery Fee | - | $50.00 |
| Rental Cancellation Fee | - | $15.00 |
B. Membership.#
| Resident | Non-Resident | As of January 2026 | As of January 2027 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Non-Resident | Resident | Non-Resident | |||
| Monthly Adult | $10.00 | $25.00 | $10.50 | $26.00 | $11.00 | $27.00 |
| Monthly Discounted Adult | $8.00 | $15.00 | $8.50 | $16.00 | $9.00 | $17.00 |
| Monthly Youth | FREE | $15.00 | FREE | $16.00 | FREE | $17.00 |
| Annual Adult | $100.00 | $250.00 | $106.00 | $257.00 | $112.00 | $264.00 |
| Annual Discounted Adult | $80.00 | $150.00 | $86.00 | $157.00 | $92.00 | $164.00 |
| Annual Youth | FREE | $150.00 | FREE | $157.00 | FREE | $164.00 |
C. Pavilion.#
| Fee Type | Current | As of January 2026 | As of January 2027 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Non-Resident | Resident | Non-Resident | Resident | Non-Resident | |
| Small Pavilion | $40.00 | $75.00 | $45.00 | $80.00 | $50.00 | $85.00 |
| Large Pavilion | $65.00 | $150.00 | $70.00 | $155.00 | $75.00 | $160.00 |
D. Hopewell Community Center.#
| Resident | Non-Resident | As of January 2026 | As of January 2027 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident | Non-Resident | Resident | Non-Resident | |||
| HCC Meeting Room | $15.00 | $25.00 | $20.00 | $30.00 | $25.00 | $40.00 |
| HCC Conference Room | $10.00 | $20.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 | $20.00 | $30.00 |
| HCC Pool Lane | $15.00 | $25.00 | $20.00 | $30.00 | $25.00 | $35.00 |
E. Athletic Fields.#
| Current | Proposed Level 1 | Proposed Level 2 | Proposed Level 3 | Proposed Level 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Fields—Application Fees | N/A | N/A | $25.00 | $25.00 | $25.00 |
| Athletic Fields—Security Deposit | N/A | N/A | $150.00 | $150.00 | $150.00 |
| Soccer Game Field Rental Fee | $50.00 | N/A | N/A | $100.00 per day | $125.00 per day |
| Baseball and Softball Game Field Rental Fee | $50.00 | N/A | N/A | $125.00 (per day, per field) | $150.00 (per day, per field) |
| Basic Baseball and Softball Field Rental Fee* | N/A | N/A | $20.00 (per field, per game) | $30.00 (per field, per game) | $40.00 (per field, per game) |
| Advanced Baseball and Softball Field Preparation Fee** | N/A | N/A | $35.00 (per field, per game) | $45.00 (per field, per game) | $55.00 (per field, per game) |
| Lighting Fee (baseball, softball, and multipurpose) | N/A | N/A | $25.00 (per field, per game) | $35.00 (per field, per game) | $45.00 (per field, per game) |
| Practice Fee (each baseball, softball, multipurpose, and soccer field) | $12.00 | N/A | $20.00 (per field, per game) | $30.00 (per field, per game) | $40.00 (per field, per game) |
| Concession Stands Atwater & Mathis | $100.00 | N/A | $150.00 (per day) | $150.00 (per day) | $150.00 (per day) |
Priority of Use#
The priority levels listed below shall determine the order of scheduling and usage for athletic fields. Applicants may request use of the facilities for regular season play, practices, games, tournaments, and some special events. Priority will be given in the order listed below:
Level 1 (1) Hopewell Recreation & Parks-sponsored programs (all ages) (2) Other City Departments or Public Agencies approved by Recreation & Parks (3) Hopewell Public Schools
Level 2 (1) City of Hopewell Sports Organizations
Level 3 (1) Inclusive City of Hopewell Youth Sports Groups (2) Exclusive City of Hopewell Youth Sports Groups
Level 4 (1) Non-City of Hopewell Youth Sports Organizations (2) Adult Sports Leagues (3) Independent Youth and Adult Teams (4) Other Non-Profit Organization Events or Activities (5) Other For-Profit Organization Events or Activities
(Ord. No. 2025-1118-01, 11-18-25)
Sec. 26-12. - Definition.#
As used in this article, the word "commission" shall mean the public recreation and parks commission established by section 26-13.
Sec. 26-13. - Established.#
There is hereby established a commission to be known as the "Public Recreation and Parks Commission."
(Ord. No. 79-24, 10-9-79)
Sec. 26-14. - Composition; qualifications and appointment of members.#
The commission shall consist of five (5) members, who shall be residents of the city and who shall be appointed by a majority vote of the whole membership of the city council.
(Ord. No. 79-24, § 1, 10-9-79)
Sec. 26-15. - Terms of members.#
Of the initial appointments to the commission, three (3) members shall be appointed for terms expiring on October 31, 1980, and two (2) members shall be appointed for terms expiring on October 31, 1982. Thereafter, appointments shall be made for terms of four (4) years each, commencing on the first day of November and expiring on the thirty-first day of October of the appropriate year.
(Ord. No. 79-24, § 4, 10-9-79)
Sec. 26-16. - Organization; election and terms of officers.#
As soon as practicable after their appointment, the members of the commission shall organize and elect annually from their membership a presiding officer and other necessary officers to serve for one (1) year, and shall elect a secretary, who may or may not be a member of the commission, to serve for such term as the commission may determine.
(Ord. No. 79-24, § 2, 10-9-79)
Sec. 26-17. - Adoption of rules of procedure.#
The commission shall adopt rules of procedure for the conduct of all business within its jurisdiction.
(Ord. No. 79-24, § 2, 10-9-79)
Sec. 26-18. - Functions, powers and duties.#
(a) The commission shall maintain, operate, and supervise the public parks and playgrounds, athletic fields, recreation centers, and other recreation facilities leased or loaned by the city as designated by city council.
(b) The commission may recommend the improvement of areas used for recreation and the equipping and staffing of such buildings and structures as may be necessary for the recreation program. It may advise in the acquisition of lands and structures through gifts, purchase, lease or loan, or by condemnation by the city, and may advise in the acceptance by the city of any grant, gift, bequest, or donation of any personal or real property offered or made available for recreation purposes and which it judges to be of present or possible future use for recreation. Any gift, bequest of money, or other property and any grant or devise of real or personal property so acquired shall be held by the city and used and finally disposed of in accordance with the terms under which such grant, gift, or devise is made and accepted.
(c) The commission shall prepare and present to the city manager an annual budget sufficient to finance the program of recreation and parks the commission feels is necessary. The budget shall be submitted at the time designated by the city manager. The commission shall also annually recommend to the city manager a budget for capital improvements in accordance with the plan for parks and recreation.
(d) The commission shall prepare a plan for parks and recreation for the development of parks, facilities, and recreation programs for the city and shall update the same yearly.
(e) The commission shall make full and complete reports to the city manager and to the city council at such times as may be requested and at such other times as are deemed proper.
(Ord. No. 79-24, § 3, 10-9-79; Ord. No. 87-7, 4-14-87)