 Virginia Beach 's extensive park system is recognized as one of the best in the United States . In its 2013 ParkScore ranking , The Trust for Public Land reported that Virginia Beach had the 8th best park system among the 50 most populous U.S. cities . ParkScore ranks city park systems by a formula that analyzes the city ’ s median park size , park acres as percent of city area , the percent of city residents within a half @-@ mile of a park , spending of park services per resident , and the number of playgrounds per 10 @,@ 000 residents . 
