Identified as a top priority for open space acquisition for the past decade, the 119-acre tract known as Pleasure House Point is to be acquired by the City of Virginia Beach with help from the
Trust for Public Land and in collaboration with the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Pleasure House Point, located just west of the Lesner Bridge and south of the Chesapeake Bay is 119 acres of water, tidal marsh, sandy shores and maritime forest. The shallow water estuarine environment of the property provides habitat for the iconic Chesapeake Bay blue crab and the Lynnhaven oyster. This high-profile property was once being considered for a large waterfront development, but with the help of the Trust for Public Land, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the surrounding community, the City is now within reach of the goal to preserve one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the Lynnhaven River for generations to come.
Acquisition of Pleasure House Point:
- Preserves wetlands and maritime forest
- Provides opportunities for passive recreation and nature observation
- Provides non-motorized water access
- Grants opportunities to interpret various habitats and wildlife that the coastal wetlands and martime forest areas support
- Highlights the environmental significance of the Lynnhaven estuary and the Chesapeake Bay
- Fosters additional growth in community awareness and support for ongoing ecosystem
Project Timeline
May - August 2012
- 119 acre property is master planned with help of stakeholder committee
July 2012
- Trust for Public Land to acquire 119 acres of land from Wells Fargo Bank
- Trust for Public Land to record re-subdivision plat containing five parcels
- City of Virginia Beach to acquire four parcels containing 109 acres of land from Trust for Public Land
- Trust for Public Land to hold one parcel containing 10 acres of land for future purchase by Chesapeake Bay Foundation
August 2012
- City of Virginia Beach submits request to rezone 109 acres (four parcels) from PDH-1 Planned Development to P-1 Preservation District
- Trust for Public Land submits request to rezone 10 acres (one parcel) from PDH-1 Planned Development to P-1 Preservation District
- Park is open informally for public use of existing walking trails and fishing
- City of Virginia Beach begins installation of sidewalk/parking improvements along Marlin Bay Drive and park/trail signage
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation submits request for a Conditional Use Permit for an Environmental Education Center on ten acre parcel with permission from the landowner, Trust for Public Land. As an example of the type of building that CBF is seeking to build (but on a smaller scale), view information on CBF's Merrill Center - the first LEED Platinum building in the world.
October 2012
- Rezoning from PDH-1 to P-1 on 119 acres is considered by Planning Commission / City Council
- Community Celebration and Partner Recognition Event
November 2012
- Conditional Use Permit Request for Environmental Education Center is considered by Planning Commission/City Council
January 2013
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation acquires 10 acre parcel from Trust for Public Land
January - December 2013
- City of Virginia Beach begins work on design/construction of first phase of park improvements (dependent on available funding)
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation begins work on detailed design/construction of environmental education center