Our regular meetings are on held alternating months (Jan, Mar, May, Sept, Nov) on the THIRD Thursday from 7-8:30 pm at Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive, Chesapeake, Va. 23325. Most months we also plan a hands-on activity to help improve our neighborhood. We'd love to have you join us!
Future Meetings and Events
Thursday, October 3, 2024: Field Trip - Tour of Ryan Resilience Lab in Norfolk
- 4 pm
- Location: Ryan Resilience Lab, 4610 Colley Ave, Norfolk, VA 23508
- Our field trip this year will be to the Elizabeth River Project's Ryan Resilience Lab. This is a great opportunity to tour this remarkable new facility and have an eye-opening exploration of how sea level rise will affect us all. We'll learn about their cutting edge green building practices and systems – floating docks, green roofs, solar arrays, rainwater capture, and much more. We'll also learn about their living shoreline and native plant garden. Learn about sustainability best practices in action and hear about the “planned retreat” that will allow the river to retake the site as sea levels continue to rise. Tour takes about 1 hour.
- Afterward we will have an optional outing to a local restaurant for dinner. (dutch treat - each participant pays for their own bill)
- Space is limited. Registration required at https://forms.gle/CqEzZhfzhT2ML8nf7
Saturday, October 19, 2024: Adopt-A-Park at Indian River Park - Native Plant Garden
- 9 am to Noon
- Location: Indian River Park 2003 Rokeby Ave.
- It is time for our fall gardening at Indian River Park. We'll be tending to the native plant garden at the park entrance, including weeding and preparing the garden for the winter. We may also do some trail work, pruning, weeding, and cleanup.
- Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves. Long pants are recommended. If you can, bring shovels, rakes, pruners, saws and other gardening tools. We'll have water and snacks available. We also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize use of plastic bottles and cans.
- Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
- Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/ir4JZSacttP7xmFs5 (suggested but not required)
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 (Tentative) - Blue Heron Landing Grand Opening
- Tentatively 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
- Location: Blue Heron Landing Park. Park along Lilac Avenue by the Norfolk Highlands Primary School. It is a No Parking zone along Oleander Avenue (parallel to Indian River Road).
- Work is almost done at our newest park on the Indian River and we have a TENTATIVE date for a grand opening event at Blue Heron Landing Park. Stay tuned for more details.
Saturday, October 26 - History Walk
- Tentatively 1 pm to 3 pm
- Location: Meet on Lilac Avenue by Norfolk Highlands Primary School, 1116 Lilac Avenue
- Take a stroll into the history of our community on this walk around Norfolk Highlands and Oaklette. We'll start at Norfolk Highlands Primary School, the core of which was built in 1913, stop by the new Blue Heron Landing Park to talk about the history of settlement along the Indian River, and then cross the bridge to walk around the Oaklette Historic District including a look at the outside of the famous Colonna's Houseboat.
- We'll be walking for about 1.25 miles over 2 hours and it will all be standing.
- Recommended age at least 12 and up.
- Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/1fPA65MT5YSkxx3G6
Thursday, November 21, 2024: Monthly Meeting - Guest Speake Delegate Bonita Anthony
- 7 pm to 8:30 pm
- Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive
- Our guest speaker will be Virginia State Delegate Bonita Anthony and we'll have a chance to learn about the upcoming General Assembly meeting in Richmond and issues that affect our community.
- All are welcome. We'll also have the latest community news and updates! There will be light refreshments after the meeting.
