First Experiences with Virginia State Parks
As someone who’s never been to any state parks, I must admit, the opportunity to do a summer internship with Virginia State Parkwas both exciting and overwhelming. As an English major graduating in August, I wanted to gain some valuable experience writing and blogging so I applied and landed an internship with Staci Martin, Visitor Services Specialist, who coordinates public relations and marketing for coastal state parks in Virginia.
While driving to meet Staci on my first day, I thought, what’s so special about a park? Parks have swings and slides, a few benches around, and a place for all the old folks to sit. I’ve seen dozens of those at the very least; so initially, my preconceived assumption of First Landing was that of a normal park, just a really, really big one.Looking back, I couldn’t be any further from the truth.There is a big difference between a city park and a state park.
Olivia Richardson stands on the dune crossing boardwalk at First Landing State Park along the Chesapeake Bay.
While driving to meet Staci on my first day, I thought, what’s so special about a park? Parks have swings and slides, a few benches around, and a place for all the old folks to sit. I’ve seen dozens of those at the very least; so initially, my preconceived assumption of First Landing was that of a normal park, just a really, really big one.Looking back, I couldn’t be any further from the truth.There is a big difference between a city park and a state park.
Olivia Richardson stands on the dune crossing boardwalk at First Landing State Park along the Chesapeake Bay.
Virginia Beach oceanfront, let me imagine what it must have been like for the first settlers arriving by boat to the New World.
As part of my orientation, we took a hike along the Bald Cypress Trail where I saw my new favorite plant, Spanish moss. I learned that it is an epiphyte—getting its nutrients from the air.We took a tour of the campsites and buildings as well. This place is like a small city! I met rangers, camp host, Park Interpreters, and here.
The Bald Cypress Trail has great scenic overlooks of the cypress pools.
After being slightly familiarized with Virginia State Parks, I had a vague understanding of what to expect from our next tour: False Cape was very primitive and being told to pack sunscreen, bug spray, and wear hiking shoes because of snakes, I got a little worried.
After being slightly familiarized with Virginia State Parks, I had a vague understanding of what to expect from our next tour: False Cape was very primitive and being told to pack sunscreen, bug spray, and wear hiking shoes because of snakes, I got a little worried.
I imagined that there would be no trails at all, but vines clinging to thickets of trees like snakes, casting pitch black darkness over all our heads. I imagined that wolves, bears, maybe even dragons would run wild in that darkness. It’s funny to think back on this now; I was wrong about the missing trails and dragons, but there are wild pigs!The park has a great trail system. While on the trails and beachwe saw blue heron, snowy egrets, turtles, a juvenile eagle, ghost crabs, and river otters.
Birds are abundant on the beach and on the trails at False Cape State Park.
Yes, ck Bay National Wildlife Refuge are heavily managed in partnership to change marsh water levels, managing plant life, and to burn invasive grasses in order to improve habitat for birds and wildlife.
The graveyard at the former Wash Woods church site is a really unique spot.
I’m only two weeks into my internship and I’m thrilled to find out that these absolutely stunning state parks are so close to me. I found out there are five state parks within 90 minutes of my home town of Portsmouth—online calendarso you can what guided hikes,kayak trips,outdoors programs, and history tours are available.
I’m only two weeks into my internship and I’m thrilled to find out that these absolutely stunning state parks are so close to me. I found out there are five state parks within 90 minutes of my home town of Portsmouth—online calendarso you can what guided hikes,kayak trips,outdoors programs, and history tours are available.