Grommet Island Park

This park is located right off of the Boardwalk. There is metered street parking and a few commercial lots within walking distance that you can park at. The meters cost about $2/ hour and the lots vary in price. There is a restroom facility right across the boardwalk from it, which is a plus.This play park is the epitome of accesible parks. It is titled the "Park for Everybody". The amazing park/play area is 15,000 square feet and features wheelchair accessible entrances. It was built in honor of Josh Thompson, an avid beach lover, who lost his battle with ALS. Josh's family wanted to go to the beach, but he stayed behind because of the difficulty of getting his wheelchair to the beach, across the sand and down to the surf.The park is very nice and has a huge jungle gym with a couple of slides, a sculptural of a dolphins, a surfboard, and a wave that children can play on, raised sand tables for sandcastle building at an accessible height, a sensory board for autistic children, Sway Fun glider, and a pebble walk.What I find really cool is that they have fully accessible playground -beach wheelchairs available at no charge, on a first come, first served basis (only during season though). You will also find some cement pads here, with post marking the spots, that are covered with a little sand, making playing in the sand more accessible.Just outside of the park is a nice statue of a man and young boy holding surf boards. The sculpture is on top of a granite base that has the names of donors and the inspiration behind the park inscribed on it. Definitely worth a look.This first of its kind park is a very nice addition to VIrginia Beach's Boardwalk. It is accessible and fun for all kids to play on. They do suggest that it is best for kids aged 5 to 12. I love everything about this park. There should be more of these around.

This playground park is located at the southern tip of Virginia Beach boardwalk. It's larger than other playgrounds and it has a great view of the beach and the boardwalk. There are also benches to relax.

Grommet Island Park is a well-frequented, moderate to large playground located at the VB Oceanfront at the start of the Boardwalk. It has a playground, raised sand trays, and sculptures kids can play on and take photo opps with. It is also an accessible park. The park is very clean overall. -- The Playground --The playground area with soft foam flooring to minimize injuries (under the sand that got blown over it) is best for younger elementary school aged children. With close supervision it's also good for younger children (note that there are small gaps in the openings along the playground system). The equipment is in mostly good condition with small areas of wear. There are a variety of slides and ways to climb up and access the slides, along with monkey bars and climbing activities. There are also raised, connected walkways connecting the system of slides and a lookout point. The playground is in partial sun with some sections fully shaded by canopies (pictured). -- Benches & Pavilions --There is one built in table with benches by the front of the playground. There are several benches along the perimeter of the playground. -- Walking Areas --This is less of a park and more of a large playground situated on a beach.-- Sporting Equipment --There are no other equipment options other than the playground. -- Amenities --There are no toilet amenities at the playground, but there are restrooms with plumbing located very close by: 2nd Street Restrooms, which has year-round operation and is managed by the City. -- Parking --There is a municipal parking lot close by--2nd Street Parking Lot--where any visitors can park for a fee. The next closest lot is Rudee Loop Parking Lot (also a municipal parking lot with a fee). Both are located on Atlantic Ave. There is limited meter parking, too. Visitors to the area staying at the Oceanfront could also walk there. -- Things to Note --During peak seasonal times, it's usually pretty busy with kids. There is no fence or physical boundary between the park and the water, but it is situated well enough away from the water that it didn't pose an immediate safety concern. -- Takeaways --This is an large, accessible playground that is a nice option for my toddler when we visit the Boardwalk, and I can see it appealing to families visiting the beach who have kids with varying interests. The main attraction is its playground. If you are at the Boardwalk, it's worth a visit for children. It might not be worth it to you to go out of your way if you don't intend to visit the ocean or Boardwalk, too, or if you aren't interested in its accessibility features. Simply because paying for parking at the Oceanfront and sand in the kids shoes' could be a few minor drawbacks.

This is a beautifully built and thought out park. The park is made for children with physical special needs. Wheel chairs are welcome for sure. They have beautiful blue shades for a little shade. This is the best park I have seen. All kids are welcome to come and play. It is super colorful with a surfing theme. WE LOVE IT!!! The parking lot is super close. It is pay to park but I think it is worth it. That's how great this park is. AND it is right on the ocean so you can run down to the beach. I like to take a cooler so the kids can have something cold to drink. They also have restaurants on the strip if you want to go grab a bite. We have also taken our bikes to ride way down the street to Planet Pizza for lunch or The mini golf down the street. This park has been awesome and well kept over the years. It is open all year round.

"The beach park and playground for everybody" is enshrined on the surfer monument base located at the park entrance. The inclusive message stems from the inspiration behind the park's creation, also recorded on the monument. Definitely worth the read.Both park and playground are neat staples at the end of the VB boardwalk. Heck being outdoors beachside with your family, taking in the sounds of waves, kids playing, and sea birds chirping on a sunny morning or afternoon beats staying cooped up any day. Perhaps this spot should be considered a first line homeopathic treatment regiment for depression, assuming you can score a parking spot.

This is a seriously cute beachside park for locals and tourists alike right at 1st street. I've run past it about a million times while doing J&A Races locally and have also walked it during boardwalk weekends and visits to the beach but haven't really paid it any mind (I don't have kids yet). There are tons of little things for kids to play on and benches nearby for parents at ground level and it's right in the sand just off the boardwalk. The park features small little waves and surf-themed climb-able sculptures as well as traditional things like slides and the jungle gym-type equipment you'd expect. It's cute that everything is beach themed here and it is pretty extensive. I saw a bunch of kids having a blast yesterday with their imaginations going wild. If you're here from out of town, or a local, and weather is nice with some little ones in tow, this could easily kill a couple hours. Parking is free in off-season for the metered spots and, during peak summer months, metered pay parking spots, the paid lot, or garage parking nearby. This is also right at the end of the boardwalk and as such, there are some super cool rocks to climb on with a gorgeous view and some marine life watching opportunities (birds, fish, ducks, whales sometimes, and dolphins).

Fun little playground at Rudee Inlet. There is a lot to do for both little and big kids. Lots of sand to play in as well! We enjoyed watching the surfers in the ocean here.

This is an absolute must stop if you have young children. This is a park located right near rudee inlet at the Virginia Beach oceanfront! It was not here when I was a young kid but I'm loving how the city it becoming more and more family friendly. There is plenty of street and meter parking as well as a parking lot smack dab in front of this park. It's right on the sand making it both a park trip and a beach trip in one. I love it! Keeps the kids active, and gets us out at the heart of the city, the beach!

9/2/20Grommet Island Park is at the end of the boardwalk  on 40th Street. The  Virginia Beach Boardwalk is a 28-foot wide marvel that stretches from 2nd to 40th Street. On 8/29/20 we were there to have a good time sightseeing. The boardwalk  and brings together everyone who wants to go to the beach or get something to eat. Hotels and line this ocean front property  behind the boardwalk.Before the Coronavirus it us, one could get a ride in a pedicab. This time around while walking the boardwalk, I saw most people peddling themselves to whatever destination around the boardwalk and shops. I even saw people stopping at the bathroom near Grommet Island Park.Grommet Island Park has playground  where kids can climb and swing to their hearts content. The park has benches dedicated to people who past away. Everytime a backside(s) sits at one of these benches, you are paying your respects to these individuals whether you know it or not.There are two statues of the surfer boys which is dedicated to the Virginia  Beach and the physically disabled to enjoy. Some of those benches might be dedicated to them as well. Now if your wondering, there is a section of beach reserved for surfing only. So for all you Bodhisattva out there, your time has come...unless you prefer surfing in the middle of the ocean where the big girls and boys play.Back on track now, Grommet Island Park is an area of the boardwalk I had never been too.  When my wife and I arrived at the end of the boardwalk, we saw the playground, statues and the bodacious sunset of the ocean, sky and island across the water from us. Kids were playing a form of hacky sack with a football/soccer  ball.  The water looked inviting, but you can't swim in that section of  water because of all the rocks. Also there are boats that go up and down the waters of the great divide.It was very pleasant watching the dolphins  watcher  boat float past us. I know the next time my wife is with me, we might take a ride on that boat and see what dreams may come.    The best part of the boardwalk area is this...THERE ARE NO MOSQUITOS...unless these mosquito females are attracted to you.Anyhow, I have now officially walked the three mile boardwalk in sections, but not in one Fell Swoop so to speak.   However,  I saw many people running up and down the boardwalk covered in sweat. I can only imagine who holds the record of running up and down this boardwalk. Good times happened on this boardwalk and at Grommet Island Park . When we come back, I hope to get a ride in the pedicab up and down the boardwalk. It will be a blast.

Fun. Lots of parking. But not great for small children. Lots of areas on the play set that have holes/unguarded areas and a small kid can easily fall out of onto the ground if unsupervised