Parks & Recreation Newsletter | January 2014 | VBgov.com/parks

A Winter Wonderland

It's not every day Virginia Beach is hit with a winter snowstorm, so our staff didn't want to miss the opportunity to capture some of our parks blanketed in snow. View our photos from this week's storm on Flickr.

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Take Part in Winter Wildlife Festival this Weekend!

Screech Owl The 2014 Winter Wildlife Festival kicks off today with keynote speaker Noah Strycker and gets in full swing tomorrow with excursions around Virginia Beach. If you missed the chance to register for the excursions, there are still ways for you to participate.

Check out the Exhibit Hall at Princess Anne Recreation Center on Saturday, January 25 from 10 am to 4 pm. There will be several exhibitors from local environmental and wildlife agencies and businesses, as well as nature photographers, decoy carvers, live animals and raffle prizes. Wrap-N-Roll will be onsite from 10 am - 2 pm with their delicious sandwiches and soups. Concurrent children's activities will take place next door at Princess Anne Library and will include story times, crafts and a visit from a live owl! The Virginia Aquarium will also be hosting children's activities at their Marsh Pavilion. Check our event page for activities and times.

You can also drop into to one of our Walk-Up Workshops. Led by local scientists and historians, these workshops give you a chance to learn more about wildlife conservation in our community. See below for sessions; pre-registration not required.

10:30 - 11:30 am | Oyster Restoration led by Lynnhaven River NOW

12:00 - 1:00 pm | The Coyote in Virginia led by the Department of Game & Inland Fisheries Terrestrial Biologist, Pete Aker

1:30 - 2:30 pm | Osprey Watch led by the Virginia Aquarium and The Center for Conservation Biology

Swing Play ball! Registration for our Grapefruit League and our Spring Softball Leagues takes place next month. Games are held at various ball fields throughout the city. Get your team together and have some fun!

Adult Grapefruit League Softball

Divisions offered: Men, coed
Registration: February 3-7 | Team Fee: $250
Season (approximate): late February to late March 2014

Adult Spring Softball

Divisions offered: Men, men's church, women, coed, coed church, 50 & Over
Registration: February 17 - March 7 | Team Fee: $550
Season (approximate): late April to late July 2014

Love to play football? Like the beach? Give Sand Football a try this spring! Gather up your friends and put together a team of up to 15 players for this coed 6 on 6 flag football league. Games consist of two 40-minute halves and are played on the beach at 25th Street on Sunday mornings.

Adult Spring Coed Sand Football

Divisions offered: Coed
Registration: February 3-7 | Team Fee: $700
Season (approximate): March to May 2014

A few notes about league registration:

Registration is taken on a team basis at the City-Wide Athletics Office (4001 Dam Neck Rd)
Each team pays a franchise fee at registration
Participants must be 18 years old or a graduating senior
Register early! Leagues are subject to close-out prior to the last day of signups

For more information, visit VBgov.com/Sports

Les Mills BODYPUMP™ Coming in February

The world-renowned, 60-minute class uses barbells, plates and height-adjustable steps for a moderate to high-intensity workout focusing on low weight loads and high reps. Weight-based resistant training will increase your strength and endurance, tone and shape your body, and help maintain bone health. The latest hard-hitting and inspiring tunes will keep you motivated - all while burning up to 560 calories!

Check our drop-in group fitness schedules in February for locations and times.

Forever Young Hosts Valentine's Day Party

Put on those dancing shoes, and spend the afternoon among friends! Our Forever Young program is organizing a sweet event for those age 60 & better at Bayside Recreation Center. A DJ will be playing tunes to keep you out of your seat, and we'll also enjoy lunch, games and prizes. Register online with EZreg or in person at any Virginia Beach Community Recreation Center.

Wednesday, February 12 | 10 am - 1 pm | Bayside Recreation Center | $7 with recreation center membership or day pass

Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures

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

The pool at Williams Farm Recreation Center will be closed on Monday, February 3 for preventative maintenance.

The pool at Great Neck Recreation Center will be closed Monday, February 17 through Sunday, February 23 for the installation of accessible railing.

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 fun@VBgov.com.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is accredited by CAPRA,
the certifying agency of the National Recreation and Park Association.