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Outdoors & Environmental Newsletter | May 2014 | VBgov.com/Parks
New Dog Park Opens at Bayville Farms

 

Hey, dog owners! This past weekend was the unofficial opening of Virginia Beach's newest dog park, located at Bayville Farms Park in the Northwest portion of the city. This is the City's third off-leash dog park, but the first to provide separate fenced areas for small and large dogs. The other two dog parks are located at Red Wing Park and Woodstock Park. 
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To utilize any of our dog parks, an annual on-site registration fee of $15 is required (for the first dog, $10 for each additional dog), along with proof of license and vaccination. Parvo vaccination is recommended. A dog park pass will be issued for each dog. Registered dogs may visit any dog park.

 

All of our dog parks are open from 7:30 am to posted park closing time. 
Regrow Your Food from Kitchen Scraps

 

Want to save some money on your monthly grocery bill? No need to run out to purchase seeds; you can actually regrow some vegetables and herbs from the leftover bits that were destined for the trash! From celery and lettuce to garlic and onions, many of these kitchen staples actually get their start with just water. And by growing your own food, you know it's pesticide-free and better for you!

 

Check out this infographic from Cooking Stoned TV to see how you can save money and eat better! 
Get the Kids Outdoors With Back to Nature Camp!

 

Give your child the chance to embrace the great outdoors while making new friends! Kids in our Back to Nature Camp will have the opportunity to visit locations throughout Virginia Beach to experience kayaking, hiking, swimming, archery and more. Add in a variety of games, daily visits from live animals, cool crafts and competitions, and campers will leave each day tired, but smiling! 

 

Back to Nature Camp was created to allow kids to explore nature and try different forms of outdoor recreation in a safe, fun environment. Numerous studies have shown that being in nature has a positive impact on the mental and physical health of our children. 

 

Open to ages 6-12, camp is offered July 14-18 at Princess Anne Rec Center, or August 4-8 at Great Neck Rec Center. Both camps run from 9 am to 5 pm and cost $180. Drop-off and pick-up takes place at the recreation center and we provide transportation for the outings.

 

You can register your child at any Virginia Beach Recreation Center. 
Wildflowers Along Princess Anne Offer Multiple Benefits

  

If you've driven down Princess Anne Road lately, you may have noticed an abundance of wildflowers along the multi-use trail and in the middle median. This didn't happen by chance. Our Landscape Management Division suggested the wildflower plantings as part of a meadow management area. While the flowers offer color and beauty along this stretch of roadway, the meadow management area is also an environmentally sustainable approach to design that provides wildlife habitat and reduced mowing frequencies. 

 

Meadow management areas are mowed annually in the fall/winter season to allow the wildflowers to go to seed, replenishing the crop for the following year. Some mowing will be done along the edges in the median to clearly define the meadow − otherwise, it has the tendency to appear unkempt − and along the path, as necessary, to keep it from obstructing pedestrian traffic.
Earth Day Wrap Up: By the Numbers

  

On Saturday, May 3rd, we held our annual Earth Day Celebration at Mount Trashmore Park. Here's a quick rundown of the event by the numbers:  

 

- 9,000 people in attendance

- 292 vehicles visited the Recycling Zone 
- 14,601 lbs of electronics collected 
- 6,740 lbs of metal collected
- 1,300 lbs of hazardous material collected
- 525 gallons of latex paint collected 
- 3,178 lbs of documents shredded
- 22 car seats & 20 car batteries turned in
- 178 child ID discs processed
- 60 environmental exhibitors & 5 food vendors
- 53 volunteers dedicated 220 total hours 

 

Thank you to everyone who helped make our 2014 Earth Day Celebration a huge success! If you were unable to attend, be sure to check out some photos from the event.
Please Note Our Upcoming Facility Closures

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


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