©
By Jan Warren
Correspondent
VIRGINIA BEACH
Ask the locals and they'll tell you that Chick's Beach is one of the best places in the city to put down your beach towel.
Then ask them where it is. You'll find that even the locals have trouble coming up with the exact location, and a correct spelling.
"A lot of people think that Chick's Beach runs all the way from the Lesner Bridge to the Naval Base. Not so!" said Heidi Janicki, president of the Chesapeake Beach Civic League.
The "real" Chick's Beach, she said, is a two-mile rectangle bordered by Shore Drive to the south, Baylake Pines to the east, Little Creek Amphibious Base to the west and the Chesapeake Bay to the north.
At a recent community picnic, Janicki and other leaders of the civic league set the record straight.
"First of all, it's Chic's Beach - not Chick's Beach," said secretary, Bob Costello, whose T-shirt stated: "Chic's Beach- It's something only a local would understand."
(Editor's Note: The Virginian-Pilot's style is to spell it "Chick's Beach," which has become a common spelling in recent years - despite the area's historic ties to Chic Ledington. Apologies to Costello and the civic league. Other residents have insisted the area should only be referred to as Chesapeake Beach.)
The name goes back to the 1940s and Chic's Cafe, a cinderblock stand that sold hot dogs, lemonade and boasted a pinball machine.
The cafe was named for its owner, Chic Ledington, and the name has been lovingly preserved by residents ever since. Alexander's On the Bay sits on the site of the old cafe.
The beach is great for kids because the water is shallow and calmer than the ocean. The sunsets inspire poetry and the silhouette of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, which slices through the community, distinguishes it from all other beaches.
Costello said that the jellyfish aren't a big problem, though he admits they're more prevalent in the Bay than the ocean.
"By the end of August, if you swim, you'll likely get stung," he said, adding that a dab of meat tenderizer can fix you up fast.
Janicki said residents are happy to share their beach but request that visitors respect the rules.
"This is not the place to come for a beer bash!" she said.
The Virginia Beach Police Department has announced they will vigorously enforce all ordinances at all public beaches during the tourist season.
That means no alcohol, no fireworks without a permit, no dogs onthe beach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and if you park in a "No Parking" area, chances are you'll be towed.
Parking can be tough at Chick's Beach, but Janicki said there are parking spaces on every residential street, and you don't need a parking permit.
Just observe the "No Parking" signs and don't park near a fire hydrant or within 30 feet of an intersection.
Chick's Beach has a pleasant ambiance with 1940 beach cottages snuggled next to new larger homes, condos and apartments. The main drag is Lookout Road - dotted with some small business and restaurants.
To talk to members of the civic league is to understand the pride and love they have for their neighborhood. They are vigilant in protecting and beautifying Chick's Beach, and they represent its interests before the local legislature and administrative planning agencies.
"What we do in our civic league is not busy work," said Kathy Damon, merchandising chairperson. "We really care about our neighborhood and the people who live here."
Jan Warren, janwarren@wcbeach.com
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Police/Civic League have gone too far!!!!
I have lived in the Chic's Beach Area for several years now, and the 4th of July USED to be the best holiday, by far. That is until this year. Instead of a beach filled with happy neighbors and friends catching up and enjoying the sun, I found it inteeresting that the majority of the conversations were those of people upset and down right angry at the Virginia Beach Police Department. At every beach access this year, there were several police officers, a police boat right off the bay, a police 4-wheel ATV, police jet ski, and even mulitple police on bycycles riding through the neighborhood. The worst part was that to get on to the beach, you had to go through an alcohol and fireworks checkpoint were the police looked through bags and opened coolers. To me, and the rest of my neighbors, this was extremely unnecesary and downright embarassing for those of us with out of town guests. It made me feel like we lived in a war zone instead of a quiet beach community. Personally, in my 8 years living here, I have never felt unsafe in any way and really had to question the use of taxpayer money spent on the massive amount of police enforement only to ruin people's 4th of July. We all
I have to admit... I'm a big
I have to admit... I'm a big disappointed about alcohol enforcement at Chic's beach. I live less than a mile away from Lookout Road and I looove going there after a long day of work with a few beers, kicking back, and mellowing out. Locals with their dogs running around, people just kicking back and chilling out... all without the crowds and attitudes of tourists. I wonder what even prompted VBPD to care to enforce alcohol consumption on Chic's ... it's a great escape from the oceanfront for us locals!!!!
City goes to far
Thanks (sarcasm) to the civic league and city for turning this nice section of local's beach into an over managed extension of the oceanfront. Law enforcement has increased its presence dramatically this year, and not just for open container. Residents with golf carts and motorized cargo cariers have/will be ticketed. New parking signs line the bodering neighborhoods eliminating or forcing parking off the streets (into those same civic member's yards). The city has approved nearly all the building permits it can in this area, so now they'll collect more revenue by ticketing the locals for things like your car facing the wrong way on a residential street or being within 20 feet of a residential stop sign. Doubt they driving through other neighborhoods issuing such citations, but don't complain or they'll surely start. Fact is this isn't the oceanfront with hordes of tourists, it's a local neighborhood beach. Civics and government gone overboard.
Gotta love it
I prefer Chic's over the 'oceanfront' because it is laid back and local. The neon, concrete and bumper to bumper traffic is more than I care to deal with at our tourist mecca (hahaha). Yep, the beaches here leave 'a lot' to be desired but it's what we have. Given the choice, I'd be in the VI's or on the gulf coast of Florida. At least these are still reasonably excessible for smaller fare than the Med or Hawaii. I digress. My only problem with Chic's beach has already been mentioned. Many dog owners are totally irresponsible with their pets and 'gifts'. Others have no problem leaving their trash, bottles, cans and broken chairs lying on the beach at day's end. I leave no impact but footprints when I visit. I wish it were so for everyone.
Those Gosh Darn Spellcheckers
The "style" of using Chick's Beach instead of Chic's Beach probably has its roots in the Pilot's spellchecking program flagging Chic's Beach as an error. It wouldn't surprise me to see the President's name printed as Barrack anyday now.
Big deal...
Call it whatever you want...let's face it, the beaches around here are sub par when compared to the beaches in Florida and California...let's not kid ourselves.
people power!
Any beach is the best as long as the residents/visitors are good people. Who cares if a beach has the most beautiful setting if you can't enjoy the view?
you are correct
The beaches in California and Florida are nothing compared to the beaches of Hawaii.
In regards to fireworks...
yes, the police will be out in force on the 4th, and according to my family that lives in "Chic's Beach", you can thank the great civic league for having the police become overly aggressive about everything. Ironic thing, I heard that the civic league, who were complaining about the rowdy crowds and wanted more police patrols, were all cited for open containers. I can't confirm that it really happened, but that's the story that I have heard. So, just a heads up, if you go to any part of the beach from the Lesner to the Chesapeake bay bridge tunnel, bring a cup and don't let the police see you with an open container, or it will cost you $25.
fireworks?
Are the police going to be arresting people this weekend for observing the tradition of sparklers and fireworks on the beach?