Is Park Place safe?
Norfolk, Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Park Place as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Park Place
“Go with care. While Park Place has developed a vibrant community arts vibe and popular dining spots along its main corridors, it experiences above-average rates of both violent and property crime. Stick to busy commercial corridors during the day and exercise heightened situational awareness after dark.”
Norfolk police have maintained focused patrols in the 35th Street corridor following sporadic reports of firearm discharges and street-level robberies in recent months.
About the area
Park Place is a historic, grid-patterned urban neighborhood in Norfolk located just north of Ghent, known for its craftsman-style homes, community gardens, and emerging arts corridor on 35th Street. It is a racially and economically diverse community that blends long-time residential streets with active grassroots revitalization.
- Artsy / Revitalizing
- Historic Streetcar Suburb
- Mixed-Income Urban
- Grid-Patterned
Walking and biking in Park Place
Walk score: 76/100 · Bike score: 74/100
The neighborhood's flat terrain and grid layout make cycling practical, with nearby connections to Norfolk's Elizabeth River Trail located roughly a mile southwest.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Vibrant local small-business community and active grassroots arts corridor along 35th Street and Colonial Avenue
- High rental affordability and accessible housing stock compared to neighboring Ghent and Downtown Norfolk
- Close proximity to major educational and medical anchors, including Old Dominion University and EVMC
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates remain significantly above both state and national medians
- Poverty rates exceed 25% in several census tracts, accompanied by elevated residential vacancy rates
- Pockets of poorly lit streets and alleyways increase safety risks for pedestrians at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, mostly appearing as individuals resting or panhandling near major intersections on Granby Street and 35th Street near transit stops.
What Park Place is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are generally calm with residents commuting and early patrons heading to local breakfast counters.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pedestrian foot traffic along commercial corridors is steady and feels comfortable for casual exploration.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Dining destinations remain active, but side streets grow quiet; stick to well-trafficked, well-lit corridors.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Walking alone is not recommended due to increased risks of street crime, loitering, and gun-related incidents.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) provides regular bus service through the area primarily via Route 8 and Route 18 on Granby and Colley corridors; The Tide light rail is roughly 1.5 miles south at the EVMC/Fort Norfolk Station.
Free on-street parking is generally easy to find throughout residential and commercial blocks, though driveway cutouts and narrow historic lanes require careful maneuvering.
Things to do in Park Place
- Explore the independent dining spots and cafes centered near the intersection of Colonial Avenue and 35th Street
- Tour neighborhood public art installations, murals, and community gardens maintained by local civic leagues
- Visit community-focused indie venues and artisan pop-ups along the northern edge of the Railroad Arts District
Local favorites
- Handsome Biscuit · Sandwich Shop · 4.7★ (2850)Cult-favorite eatery serving creative sweet-potato biscuit sandwiches and inventive sides in a cozy space.
- Toast · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Laid-back neighborhood hangout offering creative sandwiches, shared plates, and craft cocktails with patio seating.
- Eleanor's Norfolk · Bookstore · 4.9★ (140)Community-centered feminist bookstore and social space carrying curated titles, local goods, and hosting events.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.