Originally dedicated in 1999, the City of Virginia Beach dedicated the Volunteer Recognition Garden to honor past and present volunteers who gave, and continue to give, their time and talents to make Virginia Beach a better community.

On April 15, 2014, the City remembered the late Mary Russo, longtime director of the Office of Volunteer Resources, by renaming the garden the Mary C. Russo Volunteer Recognition Garden in her honor. Mary founded the Office of Volunteer Resources in 1978 and served as its director until her death in March 2014. She served her entire term as a volunteer herself.

The garden is located behind City Hall at the Municipal Center, bordered by North Landing Road and George Mason Drive, and is a place of beauty that for all to enjoy.

The Volunteer Recognition Garden was paid for through the generosity of private residents and businesses and is tended year-round by municipal employees as a symbol of unity between the City and volunteers.