⚓️ LBR Staff and Security Hours for the 2026 Season

Mike Parkman, Parks and Recreation Supervisor, Park Events, Programs, and Special Use shared the hours for Parks and Rec Staff and the additional security at the LBR for this season:

Staff hours this summer:
May 2 – May 22                      5:30am – 8:30pm (Current)
May 23 – Sept 4                      5:30am -9:00pm

Security staff:
8:00pm – 2:00am 7 days a week 

“In addition to our specific on our assigned security guard, there is an additional security guard that checks city facilities Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 11:00pm and 7am. The Lynnhaven Boat Ramp is included on the list of facilities that they visit.”

0

⚓️ Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Report: May 1- May 3

“This is the weekly report for the weekend of May 1-3, 2026. Weather was cloudy most of the weekend. Windy Saturday and Sunday. Small craft advisory on Sunday. Total of 80 launches over the weekend.

Friday, May 1 –        43 total launches, car parking did not fill up there was available parking throughout the day. The overflow lot was not used. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Saturday, May 2 –    15 total launches, car parking did not fill up there was available parking throughout the day. The overflow lot was not used. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Sunday, May 3 –       22 total launches, car parking was not full. The overflow was not used. Barricade operations were not needed. Small craft advisory, temperatures, and wind created a poor day for the beach and boating.

Incidents to report:

Reviewed camera footage from the weekend and there were no issues to report this weekend. Police have been providing lots of support with drive throughs and stationary observation throughout the weekends.

Notes:

CLEAN THE BAY DAY was held on Saturday May 2, 2026. We had a group of about 30 volunteers assigned to the boat ramp and beach area. Congresswoman Jenn Kiggins was among the group.

Parking Enforcement:

This was the first weekend of parking enforcement for the season. Enforcement runs from May 1- October 31.

Date Range: Friday, May 1 to Monday, May 4, 2026

Location: Lynnhaven Boat Ramp

Total Citation Count: 35

Total Read Count: 158 (this is the number of vehicles scanned during enforcement visits)“

0

⚓️ Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Report: April 24-26

Small craft advisory and colder temperatures appeared to be a deterrent. Total of 200 launches over the weekend.

Friday, April 24 –        84 total launches, car parking did not fill up there was available parking throughout the day. The overflow lot was not used. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Saturday, April 25 –    112 total launches, car parking did fill by 11:30am.  Barricade operations were not implemented. The overflow lot was not used. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Sunday, April 26 –       4 total launches, car parking was not full. The overflow was not used. Barricade operations were not needed. Small craft advisory, temperatures, and wind created a poor day for the beach and boating.

Incidents to report:

Sunday April 26 – Around 7pm, there was around 25-35 people on the beach playing music that was audible from the office. Due to a light rain, they were all directly under the bridge. Staff approached two people in the group that had parked in the trailer lot around 7:40pm and asked them to park in the car lot and staff described the two people as respectful and polite. They weren’t causing any issues for staff or patrons and were receptive to staff telling them to stay out of the trailer lot and to let their buddies know. Staff saw the group under the bridge and said they didn’t see anything that required any notification to Supervisor or police.  A citizen that was walking her dog approached staff and inquired about the gathering shortly after but wasn’t complaining, seemed more intrigued than anything. Staff had zero problems from the group and communicated with security guard when the shift change occurred. No reports from the security guard that any issues arose that evening. After reviewing the camera footage on Monday morning, it appeared the crowd may have grown to about 35-40 and there were some speakers visible in the footage. The beach was clear by about 830pm.

New staff hours beginning this weekend for the remainder of summer:

May 2 – May 22                      5:30am – 8:30pm

May 23 – Sept 4                      5:30am –9:00pm

0

Pleasure House Point Rules: No Off Leash Dogs or Motorized Vehicles (bikes)!

Turtles are active! They are coming out of brumating in the mud (like hibernation). Dogs can harm the turtles. That is one reason it’s especially important at this time of year that folks follow the rules and keep their dogs on leash at Pleasure House Point. We love our beautiful Pleasure House Point Natural Area. People love it. Our pets love it. Wildlife loves it. Please follow the rules and keep dogs on a leash at all times. Some people mistakenly believe that dogs may be off leash in PHP if they are under the voice control of their owner which is currently the law on the beach. NOT at PHP. Dogs must be leashed all the time in the Natural Area, And of course clean up their waste!

0

It’s Here! What is Piling Day in Ocean Park?

Piling Day might be called the unofficial start of summer in Ocean Park usually in the beginning of May when the sun first sets over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge pilings and the season of beautiful sunsets over the bay waters begins. Folks gather in the evenings to see the beauty unfold.

These stunning photographs are contributed by Chris Giersch. Thank you Chris for sharing them!

0

Shore Drive Condo (Marlin Bay) Project: Questions and Answers at OPCL Meeting

At the Thursday May 7 meeting, we welcomed Carrie Bookholt, Deputy Director of Planning and Marchelle Coleman, Planning Evaluation Coordinator and Staff Planner for the Marlin Bay Project from the City of Virginia Beach Planning Department. They gave an overview of the Development Process and the Discretionary Approval Process. (see slides below) and answered questions about the Marlin Bay Project. The staff review process is not completed so they could not answer all the questions. The Staff Report and recommendations will be available the week before the Planning Commission hearing.

2026 May General MeetingDownload


The project will likely come before the Planning Commission June 10. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council. The City Council will make the ultimate decision when the project comes before them.

Everyone who would like to express concerns or support of the project are encouraged to write a letter to the Planning Commission (PlanningCommissioners@vbgov.com) and/ or speak at the June 10  meeting. Your input is welcome and important.

Ocean Park Civic League Member Meeting April 2026Download

Shore Drive Condo Project ( Marlin Bay)

Shore Dr Condos – Bayfront Advisory Commission – 2026-02-19Download
0

⚓️ Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Report April 24-26

Overview: During the high season in Virginia Beach, Parks and Recreation staff share weekly updates regarding weekend activity at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp (LBR). Reports from the Department of Parks and Recreation about the activity levels and events at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp are provided so that the community is aware of the numbers and what the Parks and Rec employees are seeing.

This is the weekly report for the weekend of April 24-26, 2026. Small craft advisory and colder temperatures appeared to be a deterrent. Total of 200 launches over the weekend.

Friday, April 24 –        84 total launches, car parking did not fill up there was available parking throughout the day. The overflow lot was not used. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Saturday, April 25 –    112 total launches, car parking did fill by 11:30am.  Barricade operations were not implemented. The overflow lot was not used. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Sunday, April 26 –       4 total launches, car parking was not full. The overflow was not used. Barricade operations were not needed. Small craft advisory, temperatures, and wind created a poor day for the beach and boating.

Incidents to report:

Sunday April 26 – Around 7pm, there was around 25-35 people on the beach playing music that was audible from the office. Due to a light rain, they were all directly under the bridge. Staff approached two people in the group that had parked in the trailer lot around 7:40pm and asked them to park in the car lot and staff described the two people as respectful and polite. They weren’t causing any issues for staff or patrons and were receptive to staff telling them to stay out of the trailer lot and to let their buddies know. Staff saw the group under the bridge and said they didn’t see anything that required any notification to Supervisor or police.  A citizen that was walking her dog approached staff and inquired about the gathering shortly after but wasn’t complaining, seemed more intrigued than anything. Staff had zero problems from the group and communicated with security guard when the shift change occurred. No reports from the security guard that any issues arose that evening. After reviewing the camera footage on Monday morning, it appeared the crowd may have grown to about 35-40 and there were some speakers visible in the footage. The beach was clear by about 830pm. 

New staff hours beginning this weekend for the remainder of summer:

May 2 – May 22       5:30am – 8:30pm

May 23 – Sept 4       5:30am –9:00pm

0

USACE Recommends Early Actionable Element: Lynnhaven Inlet Surge Barrier

Link to full presentation here

US Army Corp of Engineers has engaged in a long range study of the feasibility of managing the storm risks associated with sea level rise in our area with any actual steps being fairly far in the future. Of the many possible projects under study, the Lynnhaven Surge Barrier has been identified by the USACE as the Early Actionable Element. Much more information to come and wider public engagement has been promised.

Listen to the presentation here.

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑