Pleasure House Point Natural Area
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Located just west of the Lesner Bridge and south of the Chesapeake Bay, Pleasure House Point Natural Area is 118 acres of water, tidal marsh, sandy shores and maritime forest.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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 has preserved one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the Lynnhaven River for generations to come.

 Plan Your Visit
​​​​Pleasure House Point Natural Area is open to the public from dawn to dusk. 

Parking​

Parallel p​arking is available on Marlin Bay Drive. You can enter the natural area from several​​ soft trail access points.​​ 

Vehicles & Bikes

Due to the sensitive ecosystem of Pleasure House Point​​​, bikes and motorized vehicles are not permitted in the natural area. ​

Pets

Dogs are welcome, but must remain on a leash at all times.  ​​​​

 Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK

​Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK at Pleasure House Point

Picture1.jpgThe Hampton Roads region is replete with beautiful outdoor settings—natural areas that invite walking, pausing, and gazing, and cityscapes filled with history. Walks through our beautiful region inspire admiration, imagination, contemplation...but do they also inspire music? Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Ellen Reid believes that they do, and she has created Ellen Reid SOUNDWALK, music specific to diverse environments, available for free via a GPS-enabled app. The experience is guided by the listener: the path you choose dictates the music you hear, and no two visits will be exactly the same.

Reid's past projects have illuminated settings like New York's Central Park and Los Angeles' Griffith Park. This spring, thanks to the Virginia Arts Festival, a SOUNDWALK has been created for Pleasure House Point Natural Area in Virginia Beach. The Virginia Arts Festival project marks the first time that composer Reid has curated two separate walks in the same region. The Virginia Beach walk through Pleasure House Point Natural Area showcases acres of sunlit water, tidal marsh, sandy shores, and maritime forest. There, SOUNDWALK will complement work at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Brock Environmental Center, a cutting-edge sustainable building that is a community hub for connecting with the environment. Each setting offers a distinct mood and personality, taken together both installations can be experienced as complimentary companion pieces.

Reid has created musical settings uniquely designed to illuminate these environments; performed by the world-class musicians of SOUNDWALK Ensemble, the music is tailor-made for the setting and can be experienced while following social distancing guidelines.

SOUNDWALK's premise is simple: Before you head out, just install the free app, and download a SOUNDWALK, hit "start", and begin walking!

For instructions and App download: https://www.ellenreidsoundwalk.com/download

Learn More



 Recreation & Water Trails

​Boating

Non-motorized watercraft are permitted in the waterways of Pleasure House Point. Kayaks/canoes can be launched from the beach or from the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp & Beach Facility​; please do not launch from raised berms​. Motorized boats are not permitted in any of the canals on the property, but are allowed in the larger surrounding creeks. 

*Note: Ample parking is available along Marlin Bay Drive. From Marlin Bay Drive you will need to transport your canoe/kayak approximately 1/4 mile on sandy trail to the beach area. Kayak launch at nearby Lynnhaven Boat Ramp gives access to Lynnhaven River & Crab Creek as well. Launching from there is suggested.

​Pleasure House Point Natural Area is part of several water trails, including:

Fishing

Fishing from land and water is permitted with a Virginia Saltwater Fishing License. Please do not walk through maritime forest or beach grasses to access fishing areas. Virginia Marine Resources Commission regulations apply​​. 

Hiking

Enjoy the designated trails, but please do not walk through maritime forest or beach grasses. Dogs are welcome, but must remain on a leash. ​Bikes are not permitted.​

 Plants & Wildlife

​​​​The tidal wetlands of the property provide habitat for the iconic Chesapeake Bay blue crab, diamond back terrapin, and the Lynnhaven oyster, and act as nurseries for mollusks, crabs, and fish. They also provide food and habitat to many bird, reptile and amphibian species. Please respect the wildlife during your visit; take care not to disturb nests or eggs and do not approach or feed the wildlife

Resources

 Photos

 ‭(Hidden)‬ Hours of Operation

​​2020 ​Park Operating Hours

​Dates  ​Hours
​January 1 - February 5 ​7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 
​February 6 - March 7 ​7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
​March 8 - April 5 (Daylight Savings Time) ​7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
​April 6 - May 6 ​7:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
​May 7 - August 5 ​7:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. 
​August 6 - September 2 ​7:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
​September 3 - September 16 ​7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
​September 17 - October 7 ​7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.
​October 8 - October 30 ​7:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
​November 1 - November 30 (Daylight Savings Time begins November 1) ​7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 
​December 1 - December 31 ​7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

  • Park operating hours indicate the times when facility parking lot gates, restrooms, offices, and other park amenities are opened and closed daily. All times are subject to change without notice or as posted and are dependent on scheduled special events and rentals at the facility.
  • All unstaffed community and neighborhood parks are available for use from sunrise to sunset daily. All day-use parks are posted as no trespassing after dark.
  • Parks and park facilities with lighted amenities will stay open until 11:00 p.m. between April 1 and November 30 to support city-sponsored leagues and programs as well as scheduled events and rentals.​​

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Contact Information