The Lake Smith and Lake Lawson Natural Area is a 42-acre preserve located in the Bayside Borough of Virginia Beach at the corner of Shell Road and Northampton Blvd. The property was acquired in multiple parcels between 2005 and 2009 through the Open Space Acquisition Program from the City of Norfolk and private landowners.
With over 12,000 feet of shoreline and 1.5 miles of soft shared use paths, this property offers a valuable aesthetic resource offering opportunities for passive recreational uses such as hiking, fishing, bird watching, nature observation and photography. The property also offers a double boat launch with access to surrounding lakes for active recreation uses of boating, kayaking and canoeing.
Boating
Fishing
- Fishing is permitted from shore at designated areas: Lake Prince, Lake Smith and in the Norfolk Botanical Garden; boat fishing is permitted at designated areas with boat permit
- A Virginia Freshwater Fishing license is required
- Net fishing is not permitted; rod and tackle only
- Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries regulations apply