Life in Glenwood
Glenwood is one of Virginia Beach’s larger established residential communities, tucked into the Centerville area near Salem and Stumpy Lake. While the surrounding Centerville area has roots as a rural farming community, Glenwood’s modern story began in the mid-1980s, as Virginia Beach was rapidly expanding into what had once been farmland and undeveloped countryside.
The Glenwood Community Association was founded in 1986, and the first phases of homes were being built that same year. Development continued in stages throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, with multiple builders contributing homes to the neighborhood. That extended development period helped create the mixture of housing found in Glenwood today, including traditional single-family homes, Glenwood Greens townhomes, the Villas of Glenwood and Woodbridge at Glenwood condominiums.
Water and open space play a major role in Glenwood’s layout. The association reports approximately 40 acres of common area, four lakes and three playground areas, along with a community pool and clubhouse. Honey Bee Golf Club, an 18-hole public course designed by Rees Jones and opened in 1988, winds through portions of the neighborhood and provides golf-course views from a number of homes.
Glenwood’s growth also coincided with the development of the surrounding Salem area. Salem Middle opened in 1988, Salem High was founded in 1989, and Glenwood Elementary followed in 1990. In fact, Glenwood Elementary opened with roughly 1,600 students and was the largest elementary school in Virginia until 1999—a reflection of just how quickly this part of Virginia Beach was growing.
Today, residents have neighborhood recreation within Glenwood while also being close to some significant Virginia Beach outdoor spaces. Nearby Stumpy Lake Natural Area encompasses 1,422 acres, including more than 970 acres of undeveloped forest, trails, fishing and kayak access. City View Park and Woodstock Park provide additional trails, fields, playgrounds and recreation in the surrounding area.
Amenities & Nearby Attractions
Golf in Glenwood: Honey Bee Golf Club
Golf isn’t simply nearby in Glenwood—it is woven into portions of the neighborhood.
Honey Bee Golf Club opened in 1988, just two years after the Glenwood Community Association was founded. Designed by golf-course architect Rees Jones, Honey Bee is an 18-hole, par-70 public course of approximately 6,000 yards. Its tree-lined Bermuda fairways, Bent-grass greens, ponds and strategic bunkering wind through portions of the Glenwood community.
For some Glenwood homeowners, that means a backyard or view overlooking the course rather than another row of houses. The Glenwood Community Association specifically identifies Honey Bee as winding through parts of the neighborhood and notes the scenic views enjoyed by many properties along the golf course and community lakes.
Honey Bee is a public golf course rather than a Glenwood HOA amenity, so residents don’t have to belong to a private country club to play. In addition to the 18-hole course, the facility offers a driving range with target greens, practice green and bunker, PGA professional instruction, a clubhouse, pro shop and the Beehive Bar & Grill. Leagues, tournaments and golf outings are also hosted at the facility.
Golfers may also hear the final four holes referred to as “The Beehive.” Virginia Beach’s official tourism organization uses the nickname for holes 15 through 18, a closing stretch incorporating doglegs, bunkering and water.
Honey Bee Golf Club at a Glance
Opened: 1988
Designer: Rees Jones
Course: 18 holes
Par: 70
Length: Approximately 6,000 yards
Access: Public
Fairways: Bermuda grass
Greens: Bent grass
Practice: Driving range, target greens, practice green and bunker
Instruction: PGA professional instruction
Club facilities: Pro shop, clubhouse and Beehive Bar & Grill
Location: 2500 S. Independence Boulevard, Virginia Beach
Thinking about a golf-course home in Glenwood?
Not every golf-course lot is the same. Where the house sits relative to the fairway, green, tee box and cart path can affect the view, privacy and experience of the property. If you’re considering a home along Honey Bee, I can help you evaluate the location as carefully as the house itself.
Stumpy Lake Natural Area
Explore the Outdoors at Stumpy Lake Natural Area
One of Glenwood’s most notable nearby outdoor resources is Stumpy Lake Natural Area, a 1,422-acre protected landscape along the Virginia Beach–Chesapeake boundary.
At the center of the property is a distinctive 278-acre freshwater lake, surrounded by more than 970 acres of undeveloped forest, wetlands and wildlife habitat. Virginia Beach acquired the property from the City of Norfolk in 2001 through its Open Space Program and has intentionally managed it to balance public recreation with conservation and environmental stewardship.
The natural area offers approximately 1.65 miles of soft-surface trails for hiking, walking and biking, along with fishing, birdwatching, photography and nature observation. An ADA-accessible launch provides access to the lake for canoes, kayaks and other permitted non-motorized watercraft, while stand-up paddleboarding is also allowed. Swimming and motorized boats are prohibited.
A distinctive Virginia Beach landscape
Stumpy Lake gets its name from the unusual tree stumps that rise from the water. Bald cypress, forest and wetlands give the area a character that feels very different from Virginia Beach’s better-known coastal landscape.
The natural area’s varied habitats support more than 200 species of birds, and visitors may encounter bald eagles, herons, egrets and other wildlife around the lake and surrounding forest.
Stumpy Lake at a Glance
Total Natural Area: 1,422 acres
Lake: 278 acres
Undeveloped Forest: 970+ acres
Trails: 1.65 miles
Activities: Hiking, walking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, birdwatching and photography
Wildlife: Habitat supporting 200+ bird species
Watercraft: Non-motorized
Accessibility: ADA-accessible canoe/kayak launch and accessible fishing location
Location: 4797 Indian River Road, Virginia Beach
Why it matters if you’re considering Glenwood
Glenwood already provides community amenities such as its pool, playground areas, lakes and common space. Stumpy Lake adds something entirely different nearby: more than 1,400 acres devoted largely to water, forest, wetlands and low-impact outdoor recreation.
For buyers who enjoy getting outside, that means hiking, paddling, fishing or wildlife watching don’t necessarily require a trip to the Oceanfront or one of Virginia Beach’s coastal parks.
HOA Information
Current Dues: $333 / year
What’s Included: Pool and Clubhouse access
How to reach the HOA: 757-471-6370
Schools
| Level | Schools a Glenwood resident may be assigned to: |
|---|---|
| Elementary | Glenwood Elementary School |
| Salem Elementary School | |
| New Castle Elementary School | |
| Middle | Salem Middle School |
| High | Salem High School |
Curious what your Glenwood home is worth?
If you’re already settled in, no need to go further. But if you’ve ever wondered what your home could sell for in today’s market: