DCR Virginia State Parks  
Weekly NewsletterFebruary 12, 2015


Virginia State Parks Photo Gallery
Kiptopeke State Park
Smokey Bear, Ranger Parker Redfox and Friend


Lake Anna State Park
Dominion Volunteers


Leesylvania State Park
VSCC, an AmeriCorps Crew


In This Issue

A Day in the Life of York River
Canvasback Armada

Click to Enlarge In this wildlife series photographer and park ranger John Gresham will share his perspective through his lens at York River State Park.

I am a fan of waterfowl watching. Birding for colorful blue jays, cardinals, and other backyard species has its merits as these birds are available year-round and are often used to introduce kids and newcomers to the outdoors to birding. However, wild ducks and geese are only with us from November to early March.

The male bufflehead drake glistens with shades of green and purple sometimes black looking on its white head. The familiar "quack" of the mallard can be heard in the bog and small beach at Croaker Landing. Ruddy ducks have been known to raft (swim closely) in groups of more than a hundred. But this year, a different bird has taken center stage.

Click Here to view John's photo story.

Click Here for a location map of York River State Park.

Twin Lakes: Exceptional for Business and Pleasure
Nancy Heltman, Visitor Services Manager, Virginia State Parks

Click To Enlarge Photo. Twin Lakes State Park is the perfect destination for business or pleasure and if you are there for business it will be a pleasure.

This week I had the good fortune to stay a couple of nights at Twin Lakes State Park. As with many of my visits to our Virginia State Parks, I was there on business for an Advanced Interpretive Skills workshop. I love spending time with our very talented and creative staff responsible for natural and cultural experiences at our parks.

Just an hour west of Richmond, near where routes 360 and 460 cross, and just a stone's throw from Farmville, I could have commuted from my home in eastern Henrico County. After Monday's snow, I decided staying was a better idea and I am so glad.

If you haven't been to Twin Lakes in a while or have never been there, it is time to go. Cabins 1 through 6 have been upgraded. Since the park features Cedar Crest Conference Center for many years the cabins had a twin bed and a set of bunk beds in each bedroom. We have now changed that to a queen size bed in one bedroom and two bunks in the other. The kitchen, bath and living area have had a facelift along with the exterior. I stayed in cabin 4. Cabins 2, 4 and 6 are down on the lake and 1, 3 and 5 are up above the lake. All 3 lakefront cabins have stairs down to them from the parking area. The steps are gradual and the series with more than two steps have a rail. If you have mobility challenges, select an odd number cabin.

Click To Enlarge Photo. Twin Lakes offers year round boat rentals which is unusual in our system. The park has two recreational lakes and six miles of trails that wind through hardwood forest and along the lakes. The park is adjacent to Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest with additional hiking as well as equestrian and biking opportunities. Be sure and purchase a state forest permit of you plan on using the trails in the State Forest. Summers offer a guarded swimming beach and snack bar.

In addition to the six cabins mentioned above, the park has Martin Cottage, a two bedroom, former park residence, and Hill Lodge a four bedroom, one bath (two toilet stalls) cabin that sleeps 8. Good news is that this park will be getting some new overnight facilities in the next two years so stay tuned.

While great for a family trip or romantic getaway, outdoor recreation or quite reflection, Twin Lakes State Park is also a great place to meet. Cedar Crest Conference Center offers three meeting spaces accommodating up to 135, 35 and 16 respectively. Great views of the lake and a gazebo also make it the perfect wedding and reception venue. Park Assistant Manager, Phil Morgan, is a Certified Meeting Planner and he will help plan your event. He and his attentive staff cater as well. As one of our staff this week, a vegetarian, commented, "You accommodated my eating preferences better than my family."

Click To Enlarge Photo. It's often the little touches that show staff care for the full guest experience. When we hold events at Twin Lakes we do breakfast in the cabins. The breakfast menu was one of those added touches. Fresh baked cookies for breaks are also hard to beat.

Twin Lakes isn't just about meetings though. The best reason to visit for business and/or pleasure is the natural and historical features of the park. Park Manager Josh Ellington and his staff are happy to plan nature or history programs appropriate for your group. The Park is also a great base camp to visit two of our Civil War sites, Sailor's Creek Battlefield Historical Park and High Bridge Trail State Park, as well as easy access to Appomattox. Farmville's Longwood University and Hampden-Sydney College students and parents will find the park a convenient place to overnight and recreate.

The lake had iced some this morning and many of our staff gathered at the lake to hear the ice sing. If the ice is just the right thickness, skipping stones on the ice will make a singing sound. Just part of the package, no extra cost.

For additional information and reservations contact the Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or book on line, 24/7, 365 days a year.

Click Here for a location map of Twin Lakes State Park.

Amy's Top 5 Affordable Gift Ideas
for Valentine's Day
Amy Atwood, District VI Visitor Services Specialist, Virginia State Parks

It is almost upon us, that special holiday that makes so many cringe, Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day is the perfect combination of sweet loving and pure stress. What on earth are you supposed to buy for Valentine's Day? It is still in the time of year where some are still working on that New Year's Resolution to lose weight, which means chocolates aren't going to be a great choice. And it also falls just as you are beginning to recover from the shock of the bills from Christmas, so spending lots of money adds stress to your day.

Who needs the extra stress this time of year? I am here to help remedy that with a few affordable gift ideas this Valentine's Day!

Click Here to find out what the gift ideas are.

When Nature Calls
Shellie Anne

Are you keen on learning more about conserving Virginia's Natural Resources?

Have you ever wondered about the geology, entomology or herpetology found right outside your door? What goes bump in the night, what grows on the forest floor, or what invaders are coming to a lake near you? Well we have something just for you!

The next Virginia Master Naturalist Basic Training for the Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes Chapter (BRFAL) will be held in March.

Click Here to find out what Virginia Master Naturalist Basic Training is all about.

Festivals, National and Special Events
At times it may become necessary to cancel or change the date or time of an event.  If you are planning to visit us based on a specific event you may want to call ahead to verify that there have been no changes.


Chippokes Plantation State Park   Located at 695 Chippokes Park Road Surry VA 23883
02/15/2015    Great Backyard Bird Count-Flying Feathered Friends   2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.   The Great Backyard Bird Count, held from February 13-February 16, is an online citizen-science project to collect data on wild birds and to display results in near real-time through the project's website. Grab your binoculars or cameras and join the flock as we search for birds! Hiking through a variety of Chippokes natural habitats, we will experience how different birds use the park as a breeding, wintering, and permanent habitat. In accordance with the Great American Backyard Bird Count, we will be recording our observations for submission into their website. Some binoculars will be provided. Wear comfortable shoes and warm clothing.    Location - In Front of the Visitor Center    Phone - (757) 294-3439

Holliday Lake State Park   Located at 2759 State Park Road Appomattox VA 24522
02/13/2015 - 02/16/2015    Great Backyard Bird Count   8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.   This worldwide annual four day event, sponsored by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society, is an effort to count birds for at least 15 minutes and submit lists digitally at http://gbbc.birdcount.org. Since Virginia State Parks are your backyards too, come out to Holliday Lake to look for birds on your own or attend the two guided birding programs focusing on forest and lake birds:    Winter Warbler (Sunday, February 15, 9:00 a.m.) - The Yellow-rumped Warbler is the only songbird of its kind to arrive during the winter months while all other warblers are heading further south. We'll scan the tree tops for this small but tough bird.    Wandering Waterfowl (Sunday, February 15, 2:00 p.m.) - The strong winds common of winter weather often force some birds further south than usual. These birds seek refuge on the small lakes and ponds along the east coast and some occasionally at Holliday Lake. We'll get out the telescope and search the lake for rare ducks, geese, and maybe even swans!    Please contact the Park Office by phone or email with any questions regarding park programs.    Location - Beach Area    Phone - (434) 248-6308

Hungry Mother State Park   Located at 2854 Park Boulevard Marion VA 24354
02/14/2015    Great Backyard Bird Count   10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.   Become a citizen scientist and help count birds all around the park.  This program highlights the Great Backyard Bird Count and will include helpful hints on identifying birds.  Create a decorative yet simple suet feeder that will give birds that year-round energy they need to survive during these cold winter months! All ages welcome, even beginners!  Dress for outside and bring field guides and binoculars if you have them.  The park will have a limited supply of guides and binoculars to borrow.    Location - Lake Room in The Restaurant    Phone - (276) 781-7400

Leesylvania State Park   Located at 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive Woodbridge VA 22191
02/01/2015 - 02/28/2015    The Underground Railroad Network to Freedom   10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.   The Leesylvania property is associated with the flight of two runaway slaves as well as a slave who escaped in 1848. A band of escaped slaves also informed Union soldiers of Confederate activity at the property's Freestone Point in September 1861. Join us and learn about aspects of the park's rich and diverse history as we celebrate Black History Month. Displays will illustrate our inclusion into the National Park Services Network to Freedom program.    Location - Visitor Center    Phone - (703) 583-6904

Pocahontas State Park   Located at 10301 State Park Road Chesterfield VA 23832
02/19/2015    Friends of Pocahontas State Park Meeting   6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.   The Friends of Pocahontas State Park is a 501c3 volunteer organization of interested citizens that actively support the park.  The group works on behalf of the park by assisting in daily programs, special events, fund raising, and public education.  The partnership provides a mechanism to use the skills, contacts, and resources of private citizens and businesses to improve services that may not otherwise be available.  Activities include trail maintenance, interpretive programs, and construction projects, just to name a few.     Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month and the parking fee is waived    Attend a meeting and discover Pocahontas State Park through the Friends Group.     Location - Swift Creek Dining Hall    Phone - (804) 796-4255

02/22/2015    Monster Cross   10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.   Pocahontas State Park will host the 2015 Monster Cross 50 mile bike race.  Please visit http://www.runriderace.com for registration details.    A $5.00 parking fee applies to each car entering park.    Location - Boat ramp    Phone - (804) 796-4255

Powhatan State Park   Located at 4616 Powhatan State Park Road Powhatan VA 23239
02/01/2015 - 02/28/2015    Valentine's Geocache      A special Valentine's Geocache will be available the entire month of February 2015.  Stop by the Park Office or any park kiosk for more information.    Location - Powhatan State Park    Phone - (804) 598-7148


All Other Events
At times it may become necessary to cancel or change the date or time of an event.  If you are planning to visit us based on a specific event you may want to call ahead to verify that there have been no changes.

Due to the large number of events in this edition we are not able to list them all.
You can link to a list of events from 02/12/2015 To 02/22/2015 by clicking on your favorite park.

 

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