In two weeks, summer will be coming to an end for students in Virginia Beach, and so will this year’s Parks After Dark program.
The program hopes to curb youth violence by providing kids with free fun, recreational activities at Williams Farm Park.
However, next year, the program will possibly be expanding to two other locations.
Gregory Brown, who was playing on the playground at Level Green Park with his daughter on Monday, said he hopes the program comes to his neighborhood.
“There are a lot of kids in this area, so it gives them something to do after dark besides during the daytime,” Brown said. “It’s positive and anything for the kids.”
John Hood Parks After Dark currently runs at Williams Farm Park most Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Families can enjoy free entertainment until 11. p.m.
The program was started back in 2023 as part of an initiative of Mayor Bobby Dyer’s Youth Prevention Violence Task Force.
“When you see our police interacting with these kids and the families out there it’s heartwarming,” Dyer said. “It defines who we are in Virginia Beach as being that caring, nurturing city.”