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Outdoors & Environmental Newsletter | June 2013 | VBgov.com/Parks
Staycation with Parks & Rec!

 

Little IslandToday marks the official start of summer! Looking for some fun ways to spend your time without breaking the bank? We've got plenty of free and low-cost activities to make your summer memorable. 

 

Spend some time outside at our parks, cool off indoors at any of our recreation centers and mark your calendars for our special events! Let us help you plan your staycation!

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Explore Artifacts at Marshview Park Archeology Study

Saturday, June 22 | 10 am, 1 pm & 3 pm | 141 Marshview Drive 

 

Marshview DigYou're invited to participate in a unique archeological study of Marshview Park tomorrow, Saturday, June 22 (rain date June 29). The James River Institute for Archeology has been contracted to conduct an archaeological investigation at a colonial period dwelling site that was identified in a survey of the Marshview Park property in 2011. Join us for the opportunity to explore artifacts from 17th century colonial Virginia while learning about the history of the site, as well as general principles of historical archeology and field methods.


Marshview Park includes approximately 100 acres of undeveloped, wooded property on Lake Rudee in the Oceanfront area. The site is located between the neighborhoods of Lands End Condominium, Salt Marsh Point, Seatack, and Shadowlawn. Tours are being offered at 10 am, 1 pm and 3 pm. Groups will meet at the Salt Marsh Point Neighborhood Park entrance located at 141 Marshview Drive. For more information, contact Barbara Duke at (757) 385-4310. 

5 Tips to Keep Cool and Stay Green!

 

Eating SaladSummer is here and we all love the fact that school is out, the sun is shining, and the days are long, but we have to remember to keep living green. It can be hard when we want to crank up the air conditioning to escape the summer heat, but here are a few tips to keep you and your house cool without using too much energy: 

 

1. Stay hydrated - While this seems obvious, it is a great reminder. Drink lots of water. Alcoholic beverages and drinks with caffeine can cause dehydration if you drink too much. Keep hydrated with water and drinks that have electrolyte replacements (which many sports drinks have).  

 

2. Eat cool foods - Eating salads and cold sandwiches can help in keeping your body cool. Protein rich foods can actually warm up your body. It will also keep your house cooler by not having to use the stove or oven.  

 

3. Use window coverings - When you are out for the day, cover your windows with blinds and curtains. This will keep the heat out and the cool air in. Turn your air conditioner off if you will be gone all day. While home, don't over cool your house, but rather keep it at about 78 degrees. Keep the windows covered in the rooms you aren't using so your house will stay cool. 

 

4. Minimize the use of appliances - If you need to use items such as an iron, a washer, dryer, or dish washer, use them in the morning or at night. This will keep the heat in your house down during the hottest part of the day. You can even skip the use of the dryer by drying your clothes outside. Your energy bill will go down and so will the temperature in your house. Drying clothes outside also helps keep them wrinkle-free and they have a nice fresh scent.  

 

5. Buy a dehumidifier - Here in Virginia Beach, we have a lot of humidity in the summer which makes it feel even hotter than it already is. They're not very expensive and they will help your home feel much cooler.

We've Got a Cleaner Bay Thanks to 1,900 Volunteers!

 

Cleaning the BayOver 1,900 volunteers joined forces with City of Virginia Beach and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) to clean up 50 sites in Virginia Beach for the 25th Annual Clean the Bay Day. These groups collected over 22,000 pounds of litter! In total, CBF reports that more than 135,000 pounds of debris was removed from 200+ sites along the Chesapeake Bay in just three hours! Thank you to all who volunteered!

 

If you did not get a chance to help out this year, please keep us in mind for the next. Learn more about Clean the Bay Day and save the date for next year: Saturday, June 7, 2014.   

 

If you are looking for opportunities to help keep our beautiful city litter-free throughout the year, check out our Adopt-a-Program. And of course, you can take a bag out with you each time you head out. Pick up the litter now before it ends up in our waterways!

Come Out and Paddle With Us!

 

KayakingWe're offering several opportunities for you to get out on the water with our Outdoor Programs team this summer! We're offering Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Rudee Inlet as well as Kayak Tours throughout the waterways of Virginia Beach. All equipment is provided and beginners are welcome!

 

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Age 16 & up (age 16 & 17 w/ parent) | Try this new aquatic adventure! No matter your fitness level or skill set, our warm up and instruction prior to the tour will have you ready to glide along the inlet waters. Wildlife sightings are a bonus!
Saturday, July 13 | 1:30 - 3:30 pm | $50 | Register!
Wednesday, August 21 | 5:30 - 7:30 pm | $50 | Register!

 

Kayak Tours

Age 12 & up (age 12-17 w/ parent) | Come explore one of our many waterways. Wear water-appropriate clothing and footwear. Tandem kayak, paddles and life jackets will be provided.  

 

Hutton Circle

This launch is tucked away right off of Virginia Beach Boulevard. We'll paddle along London Bridge Creek, a section of the Lynnhaven River. 

Saturday, July 6 (Rain date: July 7) | 9 - 11 am | $18 | Register!

  

Horn Point

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

Saturday, August 10 (Rain date: August 11) | 9 - 11 am | $18 | Register!

 

You can register for any of these programs using the links above, or in person at any Virginia Beach Recreation Center. For more information, please call (757) 385-4461.

Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures

Bow Creek Recreation Center is closed for a long-term modernization project

 

All Virginia Beach Recreation Centers, Owl Creek Tennis Center and administrative offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4 for Independence Day. Parks will be open for your enjoyment!

 

Don't forget that your membership is good at all 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 you or 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.