Monday, July 11, 2011

Ten reasons why you would want to visit Virginia Beach.

I haven't ever been to Virginia Beach but I have decided that I should really get there.  I did a little research and came up with 10 reasons why you should visit Virginia Beach.  I know that next summer we will have to go.  In my research I learned that Virginia Beach has a lot to do and it's a historical town too.

Reason #1 - Bayville Farms Park


About the Park:
Bayville Farms Park is a 68-acre park established in 1978 through the cooperative efforts of the City of Virginia Beach, the National Park Service, and Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation. Of special interest is the 20-hole disc golf course, the first such course in Virginia Beach.

Reason #2 - Little Island Park


About the Park:
Little Island Park is a 144-acre beach park located next to the Atlantic Ocean, north of the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge.
The park has a 775 foot beach north of the 400 foot fishing pier for surfing and a 2,000 foot beach for swimming and fishing south of the pier. Back Bay, a brackish lake, provides excellent fishing and crabbing along the western border of this unique park.

Reason #3 - Little Island Park


About the Park:
Little Island Park is a 144-acre beach park located next to the Atlantic Ocean, north of the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge.
The park has a 775 foot beach north of the 400 foot fishing pier for surfing and a 2,000 foot beach for swimming and fishing south of the pier. Back Bay, a brackish lake, provides excellent fishing and crabbing along the western border of this unique park.

Reason #4 - Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility


About the Facility:
The newest boat ramp in Virginia Beach features four concrete boat launch lanes with associated temporary mooring areas, canoe/kayak launch area, car with boat trailer parking spaces, lighting, restrooms with shower and foot rinse areas, changing areas, car parking for beach access, an information kiosk, vending machines and a walkway (under the Lesner Bridge) to the Ocean Park Beach Area on the Chesapeake Bay.

Reason #5 - Williams Farm Recreation Center


The Williams Farm Community Recreation Center property is located at 5252 Learning Circle, off Newtown Road between Diamond Springs and Newtown Elementary Schools. Originally, 57 acres was acquired through the City’s Open Space Program in January 2004 for $5 million. This purchase was a substantial investment by City Council in the western Bayside area for:
  • a community park;
  • area for both the new Diamond Springs Elementary School and for Newtown Elementary School to be replaced to make way for the Tri-campus elementary school pilot program;
  • future right-of-way dedication for Newtown Road;
  • a new loop road connecting all of the existing and planned community resources;
  • regional storm water management improvements; and
  • connectivity to adjacent neighborhoods and area for a potential private learning center.
At the completion of the project, the recreation center and park would be part of a unique 90-acre campus of recreational and learning community resources.


Reason #6 - Earth Day Celebration


Earth Day, scheduled every year on the first Sunday in May at Mount Trashmore Park, is sponsored by the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation and the Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission. This event is FREE, and all residents from the Hampton Roads area are invited to learn about our environment while having fun. In addition to the traditional Earth Day exhibits, games, crafts, and other events, there is also music, displays and food for purchase.
Since April 22, 1990, when the 20th Earth Day Anniversary was celebrated, Hampton Roads has continued to foster environmental awareness through projects as the annual Earth Day event. Earth Day celebrations have grown into being an area-wide event attracting between 10,000 and 20,000 people.
Earth Day celebrates the fact that our earth has just one environment which touches all of humanity. This endeavor will hopefully continue to spread the word that there is but one Mother Earth, and we are her caretakers.

Reason #7 -  Woodstock Park


About the Park:
Nestled in the heart of Kempsville, Woodstock Park is a diverse, but comprehensive 30-acre park that is ideal for family outings, complete with playgrounds, a one-acre fenced dog park, and an action-packed concrete urban skate plaza.

Reason #8 - Mount Trashmore Park



About the Park:
World Renowned Mount Trashmore Park encompasses 165 acres and is comprised of two man-made mountains, two lakes, two playgrounds, a skate park and vert ramp, and multi-use paths. The main mountain, Mount Trashmore, now 60 feet in height and 800 feet long, was created by compacting layers of solid waste and clean soil. Recognized for its environmental feat, this former land fill features a water-wise garden that boasts xeriscaping, where you can enjoy a beautiful garden that requires minimal water.
The park also features a smaller mountain, Encore Hill, and two lakes:
Lake Windsor (located along South Blvd.) is brackish water fed by Thalia Creek.
Lake Trashmore (located along Edwin Drive) is freshwater and hosts various species of fish.
Fishing is permitted from land only and requires a license.  Must adhere to all State regulations regarding creel and size limits. No boats, swimming or wading is allowed in the lakes.
Mount Trashmore Park is Sister Park to Haginodai Park in Japan.

Reason #9 - Red Wing Park



About the Park:
Red Wing Park is a 97-acre park that was developed in 1966 by the City as a family, general use park The property was acquired by the County in 1879 and formerly known as the "Old City Poor Farm."  Red Wing Park is home to many gardens, including the Reba S. McClanan Fragrance Garden, established through the joint efforts of Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation and the Council of Garden Clubs of Virginia Beach, and the Miyazaki Japanese Garden.


Reason #10 - Sandler Center for the Performing Arts

About: 
History
In recent years, Virginia Beach has developed a strong and growing market for the performing arts, and the demand has increased tremendously as more visitors, residents, and businesses are drawn to the area. In 2001, existing regional facilities were limited, lacking the optimal size, quality, and functionality to meet the needs of current and potential tenants. Emerging and long-standing local arts organizations desperately wanted access to well-equipped facilities with rehearsal and teaching spaces, reservation scheduling, and reasonable rental rates. It soon became apparent to the Virginia Beach City Council that the city needed its own cultural center, and the Council began its plans to replace the 1000-seat Pavilion Theatre with a facility deemed "equal or better." After 6 diligent years, the city completed its architectural masterpiece. The Sandler Center for the Performing Arts was dedicated in November of 2007, and is now not only heralded as one of the region's most stunning structures, but also among the nation's most acoustically sound venues for the arts.

So now we know where we are going to go next summer and a few things we might do while we are there.  I can't wait to finish planning our trip.  It's going to be an amazing trip.  Virginia Beach is for lovers.  I can't decide if it will just be a trip for my husband and me or the whole family.  
Here are some links:
Virginia Beach Resources
More info on Virgina Beach: http://www.visitvirginiabeach.com/visitors/

Virgina Beach on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaBeachVA

Follow @VaBeachCVB on Twitter

Things to Do with Kids in Virginia Beach

ShoreLines Blog – “With the Kids”

First Landing State Park

A Couple’s Retreat



About Virgina Beach
Virginia Beach entices visitors to “Live the Life” year-round! Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Virginia Beach is four hours southeast of D.C. by car and within a day’s drive or less from two-thirds of the U.S. population. For visitor information, call 1-800-VA-BEACH (800/822-3224) or visit www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com for online trip planning. For media information and digital images, click on www.VisitVirginiaBeach.com/pressroom. Please
follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/vabeachcvb and on Facebook.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Virginia Beach Tourism blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

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