Ballentine Park

I have been recently challenged to write a short review by a friend. Anyone knows that is a real challenge for me, the king of the 5,000 character review. This will be short and sweet and wont take long to read. However, it may be a little painful.
I have had business in the area before, but never actually stopped. So, I took one for the team and will provide the low lights for you to enjoy… not so much.
The park is behind now closed Ballentine School. The Norfolk PD now operate training out of the building usually at night… don’t ask what they do. The park sets on a lot of property, 10+ acres as it goes way back beyond the road. Parking is off the road, or the the school parking lot. There is a pull thru by the basketball court, but it is single lane.
A basketball court is offered which is not all together bad. Six hoops, two are completely broken off. It is fenced in. Debris litters the entire area.
A mix of ancient playground and newer like 70’s possibly is offered. The play set it self is not the worse ever, but peeling paint galore. Debris is every where including broken glass.
A water feature is in the back… do not let your children near it. It is contaminated, smells like horse manure. Trash is every where you look, the water is receded and you can see the nasty bottom full of trash. It almost make me puke to even take a few pics.
The best thing going for it is what appears to me to be a very well maintained ball field. Nothing fancy, but it’s maintained. Someone has been taking care of it. Infield looks nice and not nearly as much debris in the surrounding area.
I imagine if I went to the worse New York City Borough I would find Ballentine Park to be worse. Why, mainly due to the disgustingly smelly unsafe water and debris. City of Norfolk Parks should be ashamed that this is an active open park for the city. I told them that too. The HQ for parks and maintenance is two blocks away if you can believe.
Get it together City of Norfolk Parks. If you cannot afford to maintain it, then close it down.