Join Norfolk Virginia’s Ghent Neighborhood League
as we promote activities that foster a sense of community. From social events and sustainable beautification initiatives to informative meetings and symposia we look to bring all residents of Ghent together in support of our beloved historic neighborhood. Our monthly meetings are the third Wednesday of most months and our calendar features upcoming events.
The Ghent Neighborhood League exists to unite a vibrant community of residents by promoting inclusivity, supporting thoughtful growth and fostering civic pride. We are dedicated to advocating for the needs and aspirations of our neighborhood, preserving its heritage and creating a welcoming environment for all who call Ghent home. Through active engagement and collaboration we work to enhance our quality of life and ensure Ghent remains a model neighborhood in Hampton Roads.
All are welcome!
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GNL Upcoming Events!
Our upcoming cleanup on August 2nd has been canceled due to unforeseen events. We’ll see you next month!!!
The GNLs letter to the City regarding Ghent’s Public Green Spaces
July 17th, 2025
Dear Mayor Alexander, Jeremy, Courtney and esteemed City and City Parks and Recreation Administrators,
On behalf of the Ghent Neighborhood League, I am writing to express growing concern over the deteriorating condition of public green spaces throughout the City of Norfolk, with particular emphasis on the Ghent neighborhood. What should be vital, beautiful assets for community and city-wide well-being have instead become neglected, overgrown, and in some cases, blighted. This is not just an aesthetic issue—it is one of civic pride, public health, and environmental responsibility. Our green spaces matter, they are the forward facing heart of the city, and in Norfolk the overwhelming consensus as expressed by Ghent residents is they are sorely neglected.
Ghent is the most visited and well known neighborhood in Norfolk and arguably all of Hampton Roads. Thanks to the Chrysler Museum, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, our beautiful historic architecture and the Colley Avenue shopping and dining corridor, we draw visitors from all across the state and much farther. It makes civic sense to keep Ghent looking lovely and well maintained as an indicator of all Norfolk has to offer its citizens, visitors and tourists.
Unfortunately, our parks, medians, trees, lawns, seawalls and other green spaces are in alarming disrepair. In Ghent, once-prized areas are now marred by weeds, unpruned trees, litter, and erosion, and in some places, long stretches of public landscape have been left to decline without any sign of maintenance. For example Olney rd. is an embarrassment, as is the water side of Mowbray Arch, Stone Garden Park and even Colley Avenue, to name just a few of a very long list. This state of neglect affects neighborhood morale, public safety, and property values—and it sends the message that green space is not a priority in our city.
According to the Trust For Public Land, Norfolk spends less than half per capita on green spaces than both Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. We are in the bottom ten percent of per capita expenditure on public space nationwide. This is a shocking statistic.
Ghent’s parks and green spaces need plans and planting and ongoing maintenance. As a neighborhood with a high walkability score we are in dire need of facilities, including drinking fountains for people and our four legged friends and seating, so our residents can relax and enjoy the outdoors (in particular our disabled and elderly residents).
Our city needs watering trucks as the climate becomes even hotter and drought prone, our parks need access to water for plantings. Our tree canopy program needs a public planting schedule to ensure as trees are removed they are being replaced and our canopy is being expanded.
We understand that city departments face staffing and budgetary limitations. However, we believe the current situation demands both immediate action and a long-term investment strategy. Our neighborhoods—and indeed the entire city—need increased funding and staffing for horticultural maintenance, landscape management, and environmental stewardship.
Most cities are undergoing massive green space improvement programs, understanding that public parks and green spaces create community and enhance people’s desire to build lives in and near those spaces. Comparatively speaking, Norfolk’s embarrassing neglect of its myriad established green spaces appears to be a citywide lack of concern for the actual needs of its citizens. Funneling piles of money into huge projects while scaling back or even altogether removing basic maintenance is no way to create balance and community goodwill. The maintenance and care of already existing community assets should not be negotiated away to fund new projects.
To begin addressing this issue collaboratively, the Ghent Neighborhood League is convening a ‘State of Ghent’s Green Spaces’ meeting on Tuesday, July 30th from 6:00-7:30 PM at Fred Heutte Garden, to which city officials and staff are cordially invited. This meeting will include residents, civic league members, community volunteers and most importantly city representatives. We will share our observations and concerns, explore possible solutions, and work together to advocate for sustainable and immediate remedies that can uplift all of Norfolk’s green spaces. Our focus is Ghent, but our hope is to improve the care, planning and maintenance of all of Norfolk’s green spaces.
We ask that the City of Norfolk make this matter a visible priority. Green spaces are not luxuries—they are essential infrastructure. We owe it to our residents, our children, and our future to restore these spaces to health. The growth of our city depends on it.
Thank you for your attention and we hope to see you at the upcoming meeting.
Sincerely,
Eleise Theuer and the Board of the Ghent Neighborhood League,
on behalf of the Ghent Neighborhood League members
The most important part of the GNL is its members.
We are interested in your ideas and opinions and are delighted when our members participate in and volunteer for our many projects. We want you as a member and look forward to your input.
Membership is open to any resident of the Ghent Neighborhood, both renters and home owners.
The GNL also advocates for the conservation and promotion of the historic character of the Ghent neighborhood, its architectural resources, and environmental quality. We facilitate communication between residents, provide a structured forum for discussing issues and concerns of the neighborhood, and act as the primary conduit between residents and local government.
Graphic © @twitteringbird , used with gratitude.
About Ghent
The Ghent Neighborhood in Norfolk is the area generally bound by Llewellyn Avenue and Duke Street to the East, 20th Street to the North, Hampton Boulevard to the West and Brambleton Avenue to the South. Membership in the GNL is open to all renters and property owners within this area.
Ghent is an historic, urban, vital and diverse neighborhood of single family homes, apartments and commercial properties. Shopping and dining out are very convenient in our neighborhood.
Founded around 1890 as a bedroom community for downtown Norfolk, Ghent is one of the most widely known of Hampton Roads many neighborhoods. Flanked by the Chrysler Museum, the Harrison Opera House and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Ghent regularly welcomes visitors from all over the region. More About Ghent, Norfolk, Va.
