Virginia Beach parks beckon with a call to our (sorf of) wild side

VIRGINIA BEACH

For locals looking to have some fun this summer, and avoid the tourist traffic and crowds, a quick trip to the nearest city park might be all that's required.

A day out at any of the city's 249 parks offers an assortment of recreational possibilities for the family, and since last year the city has seen a huge increase in the number of residents making use of them.

"We have lots of diversity in terms of activities," said Cindy Curtis, director of the city's Parks and Recreation Department. "You name it, we've got it," Curtis added.

"Especially with the economy, people are taking less vacations away from home," said Susan Topping, a parks and recreation supervisor. "The parks here have already been busy, and the numbers really exploded this year. It seems like people are staying home and around town."

So, for anyone looking to beat the heat and stay out of the tourist crowds, here are a few ideas for some nearby fun.

Pray For The Fish

What better way to get some sun and maybe take some fresh local catch for dinner? All you need to bring is a cooler, fishing poles and bait.

The city just opened a new fishing facility, Lake Smith Fishing Station at 5300 Shell Road, off Northampton Boulevard. The 166-acre, stocked lake is already a well-known spot among local fishermen.

"It's a hidden jewel that fishermen know about, but the general public is getting to know about it," Curtis said.

Since the city acquired the property this year, it has spruced up the spot by putting in new walking trails and planting flower beds. Shawn Hopson, open-space manager for parks and recreation, is overseeing the site development. There are plans for second-phase development, but already Hopson has seen an increase in traffic to the local fishing spot.

"It's a nice spot where people can put their boats there, or they can fish on the banks," Hopson said. "It's one of the last green spaces in the area."

Another fishing hot spot is off the 400-foot Little Island Fishing Pier, part of Little Island Park. Until two years ago the facility, on the southern end of Sandbridge, held the state record for King Mackerel.

Brent Esenberg, assistant supervisor at the park, said a local fisherman set the state record when he caught a 52-pound king mackerel. Other than the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, Little Island Pier is the only other Virginia Beach pier that's actually in the Atlantic Ocean, Esenberg said.

There, fisherman catch a wide assortment including roundhead, spot, croaker, bluefish, Spanish and king mackerel, red and black drum, cobia, speckled trout, flounder, spade fish and pompino.

"You can pretty much catch all those fish all summer long," Esenberg said.

To see what's biting on a particular day, residents can call 426-7200 to get a fishing forecast. The fishing pier fee is $6 for adults, and children 9 and under are free. The facility, at 3820 South Sandpiper Road, also sells weekly fishing passes for $20 and yearly fishing passes for $100.

Can You Canoe?

For those anxious to get out on the open water this summer, Munden Point Park offers canoe and kayak rentals for experienced and novice paddlers.

The 100-acre park on the North Landing River has a kayak launch on Oakum Creek.

According to the city's Web site, Oakum Creek is about a mile-and-a-half long, and boaters are expected to stay within the creek's limits, Topping said. "The water is pretty calm and easy to maneuver." She added that the waterway is good for all experience levels.

Munden Park, at 2001 Pefley Lane in the southeastern part of the Beach, is the only city facility that offers kayak or canoe rentals, and tandem kayaks are also available. The canoes can seat up to three people. The rental fee is $6 per hour from April to October.

Children 16 and under are not allowed in a canoe or kayak by themselves, and children 14 and under must wear a life vest while in the boats.

"Munden Point is one of our best-kept secrets in the city," Topping said. "Our numbers have grown down there because people are discovering we are such a nice place to go."

Frisbee Golf

Also known as disc golf, the sport has taken off in recent years. The city has two disc golf courses, at Munden Point Park and Bayville Farms Park. Bayville, a 68-acre park off Shore Drive at 4132 First Court Road, boasts a bit of history.

When it was built in 1978, it included a 20-hole disc golf course. At the time, Topping said, it was a novelty.

"Bayville is actually the second-oldest course in the United States," she said. "So a lot of people like to come and play here just because of its historical significance."

Disc golf requires players to throw a Frisbee - or other flying disc - at a basket on the course. The two local courses draw both recreational and more experienced players. To play, locals need only bring their own Frisbee or other discs.

Just as in golf, with its putters and drivers, there are specially made discs of different weights players can use, depending on how far they are from the basket.

The disc courses are free, self-directed and are open year-round.

Lots of families use the park's two courses because disc golf is a sport everyone can play, Topping said.

"It's very popular. It's just coming into its own in recent years."

Tom Fasciocco, supervisor at Bayville Farms Park, said he also sees more families playing the sport together once summer hits.

"I see even little, small kids doing it - like 5 and 6 years old. It's a nice little walk through the woods. It's carefree and nice there through the shade."

Rita Frankenberry, 222-5102,

rita.frankenberry@pilotonline.com