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Outdoors & Environmental Newsletter | May 2012 | VBgov.com/Parks 
4 Tips to Green Your Picnic
 
Green PicnicMild temperatures with ample sunshine and blooming flowers make spring the perfect time to get outside and have a picnic! Remember to keep it green as you prep for your picnic. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Forget the disposables! Pass over the throwaways like plates, cups, and silverware and bring reusable ones.

2. Pack local! Pack your basket with good eats from local produce stands. To find a local stand near you, check out http://buylocalvirginia.org.
 
3. Stay nearby! No need too drive far when we've got nearly 250 city and neighborhood parks across Virginia Beach to choose from. In fact, you may be able to walk or bike to a park near you.
 
4. Clean it up! Of course you want to leave your site without a trace, but take the opportunity to make the location even better by picking up any trash or debris you see around you.

See green, eat green and be green at your next picnic! Enjoy!
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View Photos from Stumpy Lake Community Day! 
Single and double kayaks were available free of charge to paddle the beautiful 278-acre Stumpy Lake. The new canoe/kayak launch provides first time ever access to this body of water. View the photos!
Get on the Water! Kayak Tours and Rentals Available

 

Kayaking at Stumpy LakeWith plenty of sunshine, easy access to the ocean, rivers and lakes, not to mention the spectacular wildlife, nothing beats coastal living. Take the opportunity to get out and explore one of our many waterways by kayak. We have several guided tours coming up, or you can make your own adventure by renting a kayak at Munden Point Park or Stumpy Lake Natural Area.
 

Guided Tours

Carolanne Farm | Explore the Elizabeth River Water Trail as we paddle through this section of the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River. 
Saturday, June 9 | 9:00 am - 11:00 am | $18 | Rain date: 9 am, June 10 | Register!


Dozier's Bridge
| Located in the Courthouse section at West Neck Natural Area, we'll take you along a canal to the North Landing River.

Saturday, June 30 | 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm | $18 | Rain date: 6 pm, July 1 | Register!


Horn Point
| Horn Point is in the Pungo area of the city and will take you along Back Bay.

Saturday, July 28 | 9:00 am - 11:00 am $18 | Rain date: 9 am, July 29 | Register!


Rent a Kayak at Stumpy Lake Natural Area
Explore the newly accessible Stumpy Lake. Bring your friends or family out and rent one of our kayaks (tandem & singles available) to paddle this beautiful area. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to see one of the resident eagles, or bring your fishing gear along and catch some dinner! Life jackets and paddles included. Children age 3 must be at least 25 lbs and those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Available on the following Saturdays: June 23, July 14, August 11 and September 8.
9:00 am - 5:00 pm | $10 per hour/per boat | Pay on site; cash only

Rent a Kayak at Munden Point Park
Paddle along the North Landing River with a kayak (or canoe) rental from Munden Point Park. Rentals are available year-round for $10 per hour.  

For more information about any of these programs, email [email protected] or call 385-4461.
Reel in the Big One at FREE Family Fishing Clinic

Saturday, June 2 | 8:30 am - 1 pm | Munden Point Park, 2001 Pefley Lane 
 

Catch of the DayGo fish! Spend a morning at Munden Point Park learning to fish with your kids (ages 5-14) at our free Family Fishing Clinic. Don't miss the chance to team up with experienced fishermen for guided instruction on beginning fishing skills.This program is always a hit with parents and kids alike.
 
Advance registration is required. Register under the parent or guardian name at any Virginia Beach Recreation Center or online via EZreg. Space is limited to the first 150 participants. A parent or guardian must be present for every 4 children.
 
Fishing poles, tackle and bait are provided, if needed. This event will be held rain or shine. A hot dog lunch is included.

Volunteer for Clean the Bay Day and Help Save the Bay!

Saturday, June 2 | 9 am - 12 pm | Locations Across Virginia Beach 
 

CBDDo your part in helping to keep waterways clean in Virginia by volunteering for the 24th Annual Clean the Bay Day. Clean the Bay Day is an opportunity to get involved in saving the Chesapeake Bay from harmful and damaging debris that pollute our shorelines and waterways and kill marine wildlife, especially birds, sea turtles, and fish. Every year since 1989, thousands of volunteers of all ages have dedicated their time to clear debris from Virginia's urban, suburban, and rural shorelines and waterways. In 2011 alone, more than 6,500 volunteers removed 200,000 pounds of debris along 500 miles of shoreline.
 
Clean the Bay Day is organized by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and we are honored to take part in coordinating a mass volunteer effort to help restore the Chesapeake Bay and encourage environmental stewardship.

 

Get involved! By foot or by boat, gather your groups, friends, neighbors, co-workers and volunteer for an engaging day and worthwhile way of helping 'Save the Bay.' For more information about clean-up sites in your area and how you can help, contact Anne Marie Studds at 385-0472 or [email protected].

Bike Safety Tips for Cyclists & Motorists

CyclistIt's no secret that the benefits of bicycling lead to healthier communities and promote a cleaner environment, so Virginia Beach is working to make our city a safer place to ride. Since May is National Bike Month, here are some safety tips for cyclists and motorists alike:

Give a minimum of two feet.
Motorists and bicyclists can share the road safely when everyone observes all traffic laws. When passing a cyclist on the road, drivers must give at least two feet clearance. Responsible cyclists must also ride with the flow of traffic, using proper hand signals and anticipating the actions of other road users. When riding two abreast, bicyclists cannot impede the movement of traffic, and need to move into single file when being overtaken from the rear.

Wear the proper gear.
The grim reality is that about 1,000 American bicyclists die in crashes every year, with approximately 75% of those being from head injuries. Children ages 14 and under are five times more likely to sustain bicycle crash-related injuries than any other age group. All bicyclists should wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride as it is the single most effective way to prevent head injury in the event of a crash. Stay visible too; wear bright colors and use reflective equipment.

Don't be a bike salmon.
You know how salmon swim upstream to get to a particular destination? Turns out more and more bicyclists follow this example when riding against the flow of traffic. This wrong-way riding behavior endangers everyone - motorists, pedestrians and other cyclists. Let's make the roads safe for everyone by following the rules of the road and going with the flow of traffic.

Learn more about cycling in Virginia Beach.
Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures 

 

All Virginia Beach Recreation Centers & Owl Creek Tennis Center will be closed on Monday, May 28 for Memorial Day. Parks remain open for your enjoyment.
 

The pool at Princess Anne Recreation Center will be closed May 19 through June 17 for maintenance.

 

Don't forget that your membership is good at all six Virginia Beach Recreation Centers! If your usual center is closed for maintenance, take the opportunity to visit another center. Use this locator to help you find one!

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation believes all of our diverse citizens have a right to participate in community recreation and we are committed to creating equal access for everyone who may have a challenge or barrier. If your child requires additional support, we can help.  Learn more about our accommodation and inclusion services.
We welcome your comments and questions.  Feel free to email us at [email protected].
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Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.