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The
Elizabeth River Project this summer
celebrates completion of Phase 1 of a
one-of-a-kind park, an oasis of nature
in a working harbor demonstrating that
ecology and industry can co-exist in
harmony. The 40 acres of forest and
creek habitat are a partnership with the
City of Portsmouth, which began
operating the site as a public park in
December, and the Virginia Port
Authority, which last year created 11
acres of new wetlands. With the help of
many generous donors, our non-profit has
created two miles of trails, “green”
parking and entrance roads that absorb
runoff, a 275’ footbridge, an
“Earthworks Mound” and landscaping to
revitalize 29 acres of urban forest with
native trees, shrubs and flowers.
Portsmouth Public Schools have begun
almost daily field trips to the park.
One teacher called it the best
experience of her teaching career. Come
see what the excitement is about … in a
unique kind of Paradise.
Grand
Opening: “Bioblitz” & More
Celebrate
the region’s first park teaching how to
restore an urban river. Free water
bottle to the first 50 visitors on Grand
Opening Day! Activities for the family
are planned all day June 22. They’re
free, but please RSVP to receive any
special instructions and make sure
there’s space:
-
BIOBLITZ – 6:30 am – 3 pm. A
rare chance to see wildlife up
close! Help area scientists ID and
count life in the park. Children
under 12 must be accompanied by
adults. Dress for outdoors with
sturdy shoes. RSVP to Dave Koubsky,
dkoubsky@elizabethriver.org ,
(757) 399-7487.
-
Count birds, 6:30 am – 8 am
- Life in the mud, 10 am – noon
-
Discover Insects,
10 am – noon
-
Identify Trees, 11 am ‒ 2 pm
-
Fish sampling – set nets, 8:30 ‒
9:30 am; count fish, 1 – 3 pm
-
NO DOGS DURING BIOBLITZ PLEASE –
We usually welcome dogs at the park,
but for this activity, they might
scare away the wildlife! Thanks for
understanding.
-
PHOTO CONTEST – Win $100 for the
best digital photo of the public
interacting with nature in an
inspiring way. Partnership with
Hampton Roads Shutterbug Club.
(See
Contest Rules)
-
MAYOR’S WALK – 8:30 am – 9:30 am.
Join Portsmouth Mayor Kenneth Wright
in his “Get Healthy, Portsmouth”
initiative. Hike 1 mile around the
new wetland! RSVP to Pam Boatwright,
pboatwright@elizabethriver.org.
-
FREE WORKSHOPS! Reserve your
space – RSVP to Diana Larkin,
dlarkin@elizabethriver.org
-
BUILD BIRD & BAT HOUSES,
2 pm – 4 pm. Make a FREE blue
bird or bat house, to take home
or install at the nature park.
Great parent-child activity -
children under 12 must be
accompanied by adults. Lumber
donated by Lowes. All materials
provided; no special skills
required.
-
COMPOSTING – Portsmouth
Master Gardeners will present
composting at 2 pm and 3 pm,
along with how to save water
with a rain barrel.
THANK
YOU to Generous Phase I Donors
Phase I
of the park is made possible by many
generous donors, including, at the level
of $100,000 or more: City of Portsmouth;
Virginia Land Conservation Foundation
and Virginia Recreational Trails Grant
of VA Department of Conservation and
Recreation; Virginia Port Authority; APM
Terminals; CSX Transportation, Inc.;
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation;
The Virginian-Pilot; TowneBank
Foundation; Hampton Roads Community
Foundation; US EPA Targeted Watershed
Initative Grant; Dominion Virginia
Power, Louis F. and Prudence H. Ryan and
the Bradley Family Fund of the Hampton
Roads Community Foundation. For a
complete list of sponsors,
click here
– and watch for sponsor recognition
coming soon throughout the park!
Phase
II Donors Needed
Fundraising is on-going by Elizabeth
River Project for Phase 2 amenities:
Canoe-kayak launch, additional parking,
education-recreation outdoor pavilions,
a composting toilet pavilion with rain
filtration for hand-washing, and a
children’s playground. The Elizabeth
River Project will add these amenities
as funds become available, or no later
than 2015. Contact Joanne Hansinger,
jhansinger@elizabethriver.org,
399-7487, for opportunities to make
Phase II of this unique park a reality! |
