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Princess Anne Commons Gateway Park — Best Outdoor Playgrounds in Virginia Beach

Princess Anne Commons Gateway Park

4.5(197)4.5 out of 5 stars, 197 reviews Virginia Beach, VA

About Princess Anne Commons Gateway Park

Princess Anne Commons Gateway Park offers a highly convenient, shaded outdoor experience, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a comfortable escape on hot days. Its unique value lies in combining a clean playground and walking trails with extensive natural shade, multiple covered seating areas, and a prime location directly across from Princess Anne Sentara Hospital and Landstown Crossing shopping center.

What parents should know

Summarized from real visitor reviews.

Best for: Families seeking outdoor play and walks during hot summer days.Quick outdoor breaks for children and parents visiting Sentara Hospital or Landstown Crossing shopping center.Casual family outings or playdates requiring comfortable, shaded spaces.Small birthday parties or gatherings that benefit from covered picnic areas.Dog walking (as mentioned in reviews).

Why families love it

  • Excellent natural shade from tall trees, providing a nice breeze and keeping approximately 40% of the playground shaded even at 3pm, crucial for hot Virginia Beach summers (e.g., 90-degree weather).
  • Well-kept playground, walking trail, and bathrooms.
  • Features a gazebo, 3 pavilions, and several spaced-out bench tables, offering ample shaded seating and picnic areas.
  • Conveniently located directly in front of Princess Anne Sentara Hospital and across the street from Landstown Crossing shopping center.
  • Paved walkways suitable for shorter, enjoyable strolls.
  • Abundant natural shade from tall trees, critical for comfortable play during hot weather.

Insider tips

  • This park is highly recommended for outings on hot days due to its significant shade and cooling breezes.
  • It's ideal for short visits or quick playground stops, especially if you're in the area (e.g., Sentara Hospital or Landstown Crossing).
  • Consider it as a venue for small birthday parties or family gatherings, thanks to the covered picnic areas and pavilions.
  • The paved walkway is great for a casual stroll, but be aware of minor cracks.

Good to know before you go

  • No specific times or situations to avoid are mentioned in the reviews.
  • Grass can be a little overgrown in some areas.
  • A few cracked spots in the paved walkway were noted, though reviewers confirm they do not hinder safe walking.
Crowds
Reviewers did not provide specific details on crowd levels for the playground area. One review described the walking path as a 'smaller sized walk,' which might imply a less overwhelming experience than larger parks, but this is not conclusive for overall crowd levels.
Value
Entry and use of facilities are implied to be free, offering excellent value as an accessible community park.
Food
Not explicitly stated, but the presence of multiple covered picnic areas, a gazebo, and pavilions, along with mention of birthday parties, strongly implies that outside food and drinks are permitted and encouraged.
Accessibility
Features paved walkways which generally aid accessibility, however, a few cracked spots are noted in the pavement. No specific accommodations for special needs are explicitly mentioned beyond general park access.
Safety
The playground, walking trail, and bathrooms are reported as well-kept, indicating general maintenance and cleanliness standards.

What parents say

Peter R. Hansen V
4.04.0 out of 5 stars
"The grass is a little overgrown in some areas but the playground, walking trail and bathrooms are well kept. Very nice and convenient if you're at sentara or need to get out of the direct sun, approximately 40% of the playground is in the shade at 3pm."

6 years ago

D T
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"This is such a breatiful and smaller sized walk compared to others I have been to. What I most appreciate are the tall trees giving off a nice breeze and shade which really helps on a 90 degree weather in the summer in Virginia Beach. Also convenient for shorter distance walks and a clean playground for children to have fun at. The location is also amazing where it is located right in front of Princess Anne Sentara Hospital and right across the street from Landstown Crossing shopping center."

2 years ago

Freak On A Leash Dog Training
5.05.0 out of 5 stars
"Great little park with playground for kids and gazebo to sit under."

a year ago

Reviews sourced from public Google data.