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Category Archives: Environment
Pics from LRNow’s AUG4 clean up on PHP
Photo Credit: Lynnhaven River NOW
See the rest of their pics at the Lynnhaven River NOW Facebook page.
THANKS!
Great article in Sunday August 5, 2012 Beacon about Pleasure House Point
MINI-VACATION WAS, IN A WORD, PLEASURABLE
AARON APPLEGATE
aaron.applegate@pilotonline.com, 222-5122
I pulled the car over at the first beckoning sandy path into the woods, grabbed a sun hat and pair of binoculars.
The City Council, the regular subject of this column, has been on vacation for a month. I figured I’d take a vacation, too, for a workday walk at Pleasure House Point, the 118 acres on the Lynnhaven River the city recently bought with help from environmental groups. I’d heard lots about it but never actually been there.
I considered asking a city official or biologist to join me but, hey, I’m on vacation, and I wanted to wander alone, directionless but with mysterious purpose, like a dog loose in the neighborhood.
The path passed through scrubby woods to the tidal waters of Pleasure House Creek, a shimmering expanse fringed with bright green marsh grass. The air was heavy with dank salty humidity, the kind that seems to increase lung capacity.
The wildlife was a lineup of the usual suspects, but I never tire of these characters: croaking egrets, furtive herons, caffeinated butterflies, jet-fighter swallows and dueling mockingbirds.
OK, maybe I occasionally tire of mockingbirds.
I saw a fish nip the heels of a blue crab, which artfully spun away to find refuge among spiky grass.
I considered sitting quietly in a rare patch of shade, but my inner dog wouldn’t stop the ramble; the path was too inviting. It snaked along the shoreline, eventually turning a corner at Crab Creek, an offshoot of the Lynnhaven proper. The Lesner Bridge arced into view.
I saw one human – a kayak fisherman with four rods sticking up from his boat – but didn’t hear any. Either he didn’t see me or observed the code of silence the place seems to demand. I claimed victory either way.
Turning back, I retraced my steps. A speckled trio of juvenile herons regarded me cynically before taking unsteady flight. Beyond the birds, I saw looming in the distance a young city landmark, the Westin tower in Town Center.
I’d be there in under an hour – the Pilot has an office by it – but I felt further away than that.
A lizard darted across the path. I heard the close-up beat of a heron’s wings as it took off. A buzzing bumble bee got trapped under the brim of my hat for three seconds.
The walk lasted 42 minutes, the approximate amount of time I felt I could justify for a quick weekday summer vacation. I highly recommend it.
“On the first day of dredging sand from the bottom of the creek on Long Creek in Virginia Beach, a containment box holding sand ended up on the bottom of the creek.”
…it appears as though the barge hit an obstacle, raised up from rushing currents underneath it until the containment box hit the barge itself and slipped into the creek.
Photo Source: Save the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility.
Barge overturns in Long Creek on Maple Street dredge site
More to follow.
“Pleasure House Point River Cleanup This will be the first River Cleanup performed here since the site became public land on July 10, 2012. Come check out first hand and help with the stewardship of this jewel that will be available for all of us to enjoy for generations to come.”
Visit LRNow Stewardship and Access Committee website to learn more.
Photo Credit: Whit Peace
“Mark your calendars now for the grand opening celebration, LRNow’s Fall Festival at Pleasure House Point on October 13th. We are so appreciative of the many people who have worked really hard to make aquisition of this property for the community a reality.”
And thank YOU Lynnhaven River NOW.
Read the entire Lynnhaven River NOW E-News July 19th 2012 edition.
“Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation and Chesapeake Bay Foundation would like the public’s feedback on conceptual plans drafted for the newly acquired Pleasure House Point property during a public open house on Monday, July 30, 2012 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm at Baylake United Methodist Church (in the Social Hall, 4300 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach).”
This is very exciting!
Read press release at VBGov.com.
Photo Credit: Stephen Katz
School teachers and Chesapeake Bay Foundation folks participating in the Virginia Beach Systemic Environmental Literacy Initiative at Pleasure House Point on Monday, July 16, 2012.
Identified as a top priority for open space acquisition for the past decade, the 118-acre tract known as PLEASURE HOUSE POINT has recently been preserved by the City of Virginia Beach with help from the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and in collaboration with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The local community, who’s vision & relentless legal work for the past decade, created the opportunity to preserve PHP forever.
Be Advised of Clean Up Work at Pleasure House Point – Work crews to be onsite starting Wednesday, July 18th
Release Date: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 · 04:00 pm
Media Contact: Michael T. Moore | mtmoore@VBgov.com | 385-2080
(Virginia Beach, VA) – Beginning Wednesday, July 18, 2012, Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Landscape Management crews will be onsite at the Pleasure House Point property in Virginia Beach to improve public safety access.
Work to be completed includes the removal of hazardous objects, minor lot grading, bush hogging and tree pruning along Marlin Bay Drive. Community volunteers with Lynnhaven River NOW will also assist with major trash pickup around the property. Clean up work is expected to continue through the beginning of August.
Identified as a top priority for open space acquisition for the past decade, the 118-acre tract known as Pleasure House Point has recently been preserved by the City of Virginia Beach with help from the Trust for Public Land (TPL) and in collaboration with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Located just west of the Lesner Bridge and south of the Chesapeake Bay, Pleasure House Point is 118 acres of water, tidal marsh, sandy shores and maritime forest. The shallow water estuarine environment of the property provides habitat for the iconic Chesapeake Bay blue crab and the Lynnhaven oyster. This high-profile property was once being considered for a large waterfront development, but with the help of the Trust for Public Land, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the surrounding community, the City has recovered one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the Lynnhaven River for generations to come.
For more information about clean up work being done at Pleasure House Point, please contact Michael T. Moore in Parks & Natural Areas at 757-385-2080 or mtmoore@VBgov.com.
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation’s vision is a balanced, sustainable and value-focused system of parks, recreation and public spaces that creates a sense of community. We are accredited by CAPRA, the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association. For more information, call (757) 385-1100 (TTY: 711 Virginia Relay), visit VBgov.com/parks or sign up our email newsletters at VBgov.com/eNews.
“Eventually, what they come up with will end up as part of the science curriculum at each of Virginia Beach’s 11 high schools, said Venecia Ferrell, an instructional specialist for the school division.”
From CBF: “Tremendous news today stemming from a community effort in Hampton Roads! Pleasure House Point…”
“”This is a legacy purchase,” Mayor Will Sessoms said in a news release. “By preserving this property, we are creating a brighter, more sustainable environment for future generations.””
The Closing for Pleasure House Point was yesterday, July 10th 2012.
Without a number of dedicated people in the community – who worked tirelessly for years – it would have been impossible for this legacy purchase to have happened.
Thanks to their hard work, the vast majority of which happened behind the scenes with little fanfare, this dream came true. Over $150,000 of consulting was generously donated since 2002 which achieved the result of developers receiving exactly -0- permits to build on Pleasure House Point.
Those people look forward to working with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the City of Virginia Beach and other concerned citizens and groups to ensure PHP becomes a leader in inspiring kids of all ages to achieve great things.
Photo Credit: KEVIN J O’HARA
News about PHP including dates
From Christy at CBF:
Look forward to seeing you at our next meeting on Wednesday, June 27 from 4-5:30. It will be at Hermitage Elementary School cafeteria at 1701 Pleasure House Road in Virginia Beach. Thanks to Tim Cole for meeting location arrangements.
Agenda:
1) CBF Concept Plan – CBF/CBF Design Partners
2) Vision/Guiding Principles – Pete/Brian
3) Public meeting (Tent. Scheduled for 7/30 in eve.) and public survey launch – Brian
4) Update on PHP Acquisition – Brian
5) Look Ahead for stakeholder process – Brian
6) Announcements – Save the date: Fri., Oct. 12th Preservation Celebration in concert with the Sat. Oct. 13th Lynnhaven River NOW’s Fall Festival – Brian/others
“The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health has lifted a swimming and wading advisory that was issued for the Chesapeake Bay between Ocean View Avenue and Rockbridge Road.”
Come help and/or watch oyster castle reef construction with LRNOW
Here’s a bunch of oyster castle blocks before they go in the water.
From LRNOW.org Facebook photo page
View more oyster castle pics at LRNOW’s Facebook page.
Cool stuff!
If you want the Lynnhaven to stay clean so she can share great oysters, speckled trout and more… consider checking this project out!
From Joe:
Update and Directions:
May 31th, 11:30 am: First day of oyster castle reef construction – this day will start with lots of discussion and planning
June 4th, 2:30 pm: Second day of oyster castle reef construction
Please let me know if you want to help us build on either day (it doesn’t have to be a firm commitment). I would like to get a head count.
For those of you who want to join us to spectate or help move blocks and build, please park at the following location:
– To get to the location, you need to get on West Great Neck Road either from Shore Drive or from Great Neck Road.
– From West Great Neck Road, turn onto Broad Bay Road (this intersection is located on the raised bridge approach above Broad Bay Island.).
– Drive slowly to the bottom of the ramp and make an immediate left onto a shared driveway. This driveway goes to 2 houses located under/between the 2 bridges. Park on the shoulder next to the vacant grass lot under the bridge. Do not park in the driveway or near the houses.
[If there is no more parking spaces, look around. You might have to get back on W. Great Neck heading north toward Shore Drive and park at Capps Boat Works or at Long Bay Pointe Marina, both are just on the other side of the bridge.]
We will probably meet up at the parking area. If you need to walk in on your own, proceed west up the private drive to the last house and walk through the front yard, around the shed and look for some steps that take you down to the beach on Long Creek under the bridge. The homeowner has graciously supported our project from the beginning and welcomes us across his property for this activity. Proceed west along the shoreline until you find us. Please wear appropriate covered-toe footwear. Knee boots, Crocs, old sneakers, water shoes work fine.
CALL MY CELL PHONE # BELOW IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP FINDING US.
Thanks,
JoeJoe Scalf
Restoration Project Coordinator
Lynnhaven River NOW
1608 Pleasure House Road, Suite 108
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
(757) 962-5398
www.LRNOW.org
PHP Stakeholder Meeting minutes and break out exercise posted.
PHP photo shoot this afternoon canceled.
REMINDER – TODAY – AFTERNOON ABOUT 3pm AT END OF DINWIDDIE ROAD plus WEDS MORN AT 515AM PHOTO SHOOT FOR PHP – INCLUDES APPROPRIATE BREAKFAST FOR THE FOLKS AT 515AM
“Pleasure House Point has been selected to be the feature story for the fall issue of Trust for Public Land’s (TPL) Land & People magazine. TPL is doing a photo shoot on Tuesday, May 22nd (or rain date Wednesday, the 23rd) for the article and they are looking for recreational users in the background – doing things such as birding, fishing, kayaking etc…”
Text Tim at 757-287-0320 later today if you need an update about timing for this afternoon.
Meet at end of Dinwiddie Road next to pond and Lochhaven Park.
REMINDER – TUES MORN AT 515AM PHOTO SHOOT FOR PHP – INCLUDES APPROPRIATE BREAKFAST FOR THE FOLKS AT 515AM.
From the Trust for Public Land:
“Pleasure House Point has been selected to be the feature story for the fall issue of Trust for Public Land’s (TPL) Land & People magazine. TPL is doing a photo shoot on Tuesday, May 22nd (or rain date Wednesday, the 23rd) for the article and they are looking for recreational users in the background – doing things such as birding, fishing, kayaking etc… It’s a little up in the air because of weather patterns, but generally they are aiming for Tuesday between 6-8:00 a.m. and 6-8:00 p.m., or these same times on Wednesday.”
Be at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp and Beach Facility and look for Chesapeake Bay Foundation boat.
“Chic’s Beach seeks to snuff out that problem by asking the City Council to ban smoking on the beach altogether.”
YES! In my humble opinion.
Cigarette littering is absolutely disgusting and revolting for many, many, many reasons.
The Chesapeake Beach Civic League on Thursday voted by a 3-1 ratio in favor of the proposal, which would apply only to city beaches along the Chesapeake Bay, and plans to present the idea to the council next week.
And:
Every year, volunteers remove thousands of cigarette butts from the Bay and its tributaries during the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clean the Bay Day, said Tanner Council, who helps organize the event in Hampton Roads.
“It’s by far and away one of the largest, most egregious offenders that we find out there,” he said of cigarette-butt litter.
I can confirm that as an early member of Clean The Bay Day and “Tim the T-shirt Guy” for years – the number 1 piece of litter was the disgusting cigarette butt that not only is ugly, but kills.
At Fairfax County Website – The Virginia Code says:
According to Keep American Beautiful, Inc., smokers litter about 4.5 trillion cigarette butts yearly. The Department of Forestry reports that in 2001, cigarette butts thrown out of vehicle windows caused 190 fires, resulting in 464 acres of Virginia land being burned.
Littering is illegal. Most people are unaware of littering fines. Section 33.3-346 of the Code of Virginia makes littering or dumping trash a Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500.
Many of the ignorant people who toss their cigarette butts on the ground might not know how wildlife ingests the plastic filter, can’t pass it, and it kills them.
Here is a video illustrating the effects plastic litter has on wildlife on Midway Island. That is, Midway Island in the middle of the Pacific!
One comment at Pilotonline.com article:
I hate it when smokers think the world is their ashtray, especially those who flick butts while driving or at a stoplight. Disgusting.
Recreation areas become less attractive. Tobacco litter represents nearly 32% of all litter in outdoor recreation areas.¹ Cigarette butt litter on beaches and waterfronts, at ball fields and parks, picnic areas and hiking trails decreases the appeal of these natural escapes. It also creates fire hazards, impacts local wildlife, and eventually contributes to lost tourism and revenue.
Pocket Ashtrays are a solution. I have hundreds that I hand out to anyone who smokes and especially if they litter in front of me.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 