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Outdoors & Environmental Newsletter | March 2015 | VBgov.com/Parks
Longer Days = More Park Time!

You can now spend more time in our parks and get a dose of Vitamin D. Thanks to Daylight Saving Time, the sun is setting later and our City parks stay open until 7:30 pm!

 

Beginning on April 1, parks with lighted amenities will remain open until 11 pm.

 

Discover new parks, or search for specific amenities using ParkFinder

Spring Clean Your Home at Our Earth Day Celebration
Drop off electronics, household hazardous waste, metals, child safety seats and more

E-Cycle Spring is right around the corner; coincidently, so is Earth Day! As you set out to do your spring cleaning, be responsible with where you dispose of certain items. When you clean up your home, garage or shed, put aside the items that should not go in your trash and bring them to the Recycling Zone at our Earth Day Celebration on April 18 at Mount Trashmore Park. 

The AAA Recycling Zone will be collecting electronics (any items with a cord, cell phones, batteries, power tools), metals (grills, appliances, copper, brass) and household hazardous waste (aerosol cans, automotive fluids, light bulbs, paints, etc). You can also bring in any documents you need shredded. 

Don't forget about the medicine cabinet! This year the Virginia Beach Police Department will be collecting and disposing of any prescription medicines you no longer need. Flushing these items down the toilet or throwing them in the trash poses potential safety and health hazards. 

For a full list of items being collected and entertainment happening at our Earth Day Celebration, visit VBgov.com/earthday
Peace Monument to be Dedicated at Red Wing Park
Thursday, March 26 | 3 pm | Miyazaki Japanese Garden

If you've visited Red Wing Park recently, you may have noticed a rather large rock near the Miyazaki Japanese Garden. The 30,000 lb boulder was extracted out of the deep mountains of Tennessee. The nine foot high Peace Monument symbolizes the spiritual serenity of nature and the eternal prayer for world peace, harmony and prosperity as evidenced by the Sister City relationship between Miyazaki City, Japan and the City of Virginia Beach. 

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of USA DNBK Bushin Kan Dojo, the Peace Monument will be dedicated in a ceremony on Thursday, March 26 at 3 pm at the park. All are welcome to attend.

 

The Japanese Education Culture Center Inc. and Hanshi, Takemichi Kuwahara and Honbu DNBK Japan, as well as participating DNBK members worldwide, generously contributed to the funding for this project.

Japanese Culture Blooms at Cherry Blossom Festival

Sunday, March 29 | 1:30 - 4:30 pm | Red Wing Park

 

Drummers Join us as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The Sister Cities of Virginia Beach and Miyazaki, Japan, invite you to celebrate spring, peace, and goodwill during the blossom season. The festival features diverse and creative programs, traditional Japanese music, arts, and culture while promoting natural beauty and community spirit. #VBCherryBlossom 


Admission and parking is free. Food and beverage are available for purchase. You are welcome to bring a blanket or lawn chair for the performances.

 

Event Features

  • Arts & Crafts by A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts of Birchwood Shopping Center
  • Koto, Sanshin & Taiko Musical Performances
  • Martial Arts Exhibitions
  • Origami, Bonsai & Calligraphy Activities and Demos
  • Tea Samples at the Azumaya

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Welcoming the Sounds of Spring


Peeper After a few warm days, you're probably itching to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. You're not the only one. For the past week, spring peepers have been heard singing at dusk and sometimes on into the night. These "sounds of spring" are small nocturnal amphibians (frogs) whose biological clocks have been triggered by the spontaneous warm weather.
 

Measuring 1.5 inches in length, you'll likely find them in wooded areas and grassy lowlands near ponds and swamps. They range from parts of central and eastern Canada south through the United States. The mid-March crescendo of nighttime whistles from amorous males is for many a sign that winter is over. Take a listen to the calling of a spring peeper.
 

Spring peepers are not the only ones singing. More and more song birds are reappearing after the long winter. As the start of spring slowly blossoms, many animals are waking up and returning home. The earth has - again - come back to life in the Northern Hemisphere. So keep your eyes on the skies and your ears open, and you just might see and hear the "signs and sounds of spring!"

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].