NORFOLK, VA – Just in time for warm spring weather, a new crop of datasets makes it easy for you to get out and play, seek awesome trees and explore the outside!
Norfolk’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Open Space teamed up with Information Technology to provide datasets on the city’s parks and recreation facilities, along with its Significant Trees, city mowing schedule and cemeteries.
These datasets will join data on public safety, neighborhoods, code enforcement, economic development and city employees on
NorfolkOpenData, the City of Norfolk’s new portal. It’s a one-stop-shop for public data that you can download, sort and filter, or use to create customized maps and charts.
Want to find out which city parks provide a kayak launch? Seeking a playground with picnic shelters? Need a place for your pup to frolic? Plan your play with just a few clicks in our new dataset on Norfolk’s public parks, playgrounds, and green spaces. This dataset provides names and locations of all of Norfolk’s parks, playgrounds, and passive green spaces, along with the amenities each provides. “We’ve got BMX tracks, batting cages, bocce ball and skate parks,” said RPOS Director Darrell Crittenden. “And we’ve got neighborhood parks and green spaces in every corner of our city. This dataset will help you find just the fun you are looking for.”
Some of Norfolk’s biggest, greenest assets put down roots in the city’s Significant Trees database. This data set sprouted nearly 20 years ago, when Norfolk Master Gardener tree stewards in need of a project connected with the City Forester to complete an inventory of Norfolk’s street trees. They developed a system to identify, measure and photograph some of the city’s most incredible trees, including the famous Willoughby Oak.
Residents can use these data to find Norfolk’s tallest or largest in diameter trees, interesting species, or trees with an unusual shape or fascinating history. Sort this dataset by location to find significant trees in your neighborhood. Branch out and use the significant trees map to plot a bike route past leafy green wonders.
“We want people to get out to see those trees,” said City Forester Michael Nentwich. “We want people to experience that.”
For greenery of a shorter sort, check out the city’s mowing schedule. It includes information for city-wide mowing, schools and vacant lots – hundreds of locations! This dataset is updated seasonally, and will help residents find out when the city will mow medians, vacant lots, parks and school playgrounds.
The city maintains a tight mowing cycle, said Director Crittenden. “We want to make the city look good for your picnics, your tree tours, and, at the end of summer, for returning students.”
Finally, information on recent or historic burials, availability and locations can be found in a link to the cemeteries database. It includes hundreds of thousands of records on eight city-owned cemeteries, dating back to 1825. Search for relatives or for famous names. Locate quiet walking or running paths or ways to volunteer.
Feel free to view, download and manipulate this data. We provide this data as an affirmation of our commitment to transparency and community collaboration. We hope that you will use this data to improve your community, spark a business idea or just satisfy your curiosity. Data will be updated and expanded often as we work to build a comprehensive open data portal.
For more information on OpenDataNorfolk, call 664-4007 or email
opendata@norfolk.gov.