Summer Newsletter

• News
• Grocery Outlet Grand Opening
• Indian River Road Bike Lanes
• Indian River High School Scholarship
• Volunteer Recap
• Volunteers needed for gardening
• Fall Calendar

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News

Grocery Outlet Grand Opening

The long awaited opening of the new grocery store, Grocery Outlet, at the Indian River Shopping Center occurred with much fanfare on July 9th.  This culminated a long effort by the community, the City, and the owners of the Indian River Shopping Center.   

After years of decline, one key barrier to revitalizing the shopping center was the lack of adequate water pressure to implement fire suppression sprinklers for renovated tenants.   To address this and water quality issues, the City acquired the private Aqua Virginia well-water system in 2018, which supplied the shopping center and the residential community behind it, disconnected the wells, and provided everyone access to City-supplied water.    Meanwhile, the shopping center ownership was steadily renovating property, section by section.   In the past year, new landscaping was added along the storefronts.    We are excited by all the progress!

Indian River Road Bike Lanes

We are also excited by our brand new and hopefully safer Indian River Road!   The roadway has now been repaved and restriped, with new buffered bike lanes and a reduced speed limit.  At the time of writing, there are still several final touches pending:  bicycle icons and directional markings need to be painted in the bike lane, the bus stops need to be marked, and high-visibility crosswalks need to be added.  These safety improvements have also been years in the making, originally defined in the Indian River Small Area Plan adopted by the City in 2021.  

These changes should reduce the speeding along Indian River Road, provide a safe lane for bicycle traffic, and buffer the sidewalk from the car traffic.  You can already tell it is more pleasant to walk the sidewalk.  It also removes the need for bicycles to ride on the sidewalk.  In the coming months, a new crosswalk and pedestrian signal at Lilac Avenue is to be added to improve access to Blue Heron Landing Park. 

Indian River High School Scholarship

Congratulations to Shanell Lawson, graduating senior and winner of our 2026 Indian River High School Education Scholarship.  Shanell embodies the spirit of the Friends of Indian River mission, excelling in leadership, citizenship, extracurricular activities, and academics.   She demonstrated exemplary scholastic skills and pursued a rigorous curriculum that included Honors, AP, and Dual Enrollment courses.   She was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council Association.  We are delighted about her interest in seeking a degree in Forestry and Conservation. We wish her many successes in her future endeavors. 

Volunteer Recap

In early June, 24 volunteers came out to Indian River Park and removed over 500 lbs of litter and debris - plus one king-sized mattress - from the west side of the park.   Thank you to all the hardy volunteers, including teams from Healthcare Administrators of Tidewater, crew members from USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr., ESB 8.   And thank you to Southern Volkswagen - Greenbrier for allowing us to stage the cleanup from their parking lot and use their dumpster.

Volunteers needed for gardening

We have a regular need for volunteers to help maintain our gardens and plantings, both along Indian River Road at the Oaklette Bridge and at the native plant garden at Indian River Park.  This is in addition to our monthly volunteer days.  The tasks include regular weeding and other garden work; some work involves small group events during the week; once orientation is completed, some work might be on an individual schedule.  If you are interested in helping out, e-mail us at info@friendsofindianriver.org for more information.

Fall Calendar

Here's a glance at events we're planning this fall:

• Thursday, Sept. 17 - Bi-Monthly Meeting - speaker TBA
• Saturday, Sept 19 - International Coastal Cleanup
• Saturday, Oct. 10 - Second Saturday Hike at Indian River Park
• Saturday, Oct. 17 - Adopt-a-Park at Indian River Park (tentative)
• Saturday, Nov. 14 - Second Saturday Hike at Indian River Park
• Thursday, Nov. 19 - Bi-Monthly Meeting - Kim Sudderth on Environmental Justice
• Saturday, Nov. 21 - Adopt-A-Road Cleanup

Have an idea for an article for our newsletter?  Send your submission, max 250 words, to us at info@friendsofindianriver.org along with a photo and we'll consider it for our next edition. 

June Newsletter and Events

• Upcoming Events
• Saturday, June 6: Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park
• Saturday, June 13: Second Saturday Evening Hike @ Indian River Park
• Thursday, June 18: Welcome Summer Evening Potluck Picnic
• News
• Volunteers needed for gardening
• Oyster Gardening
• May Recap

Upcoming Event

Saturday, June 6: Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park

• 9 am to Noon
• Location: We are partnering with Southern Volkswagen Dealership for this event and will be staging the cleanup from the south end of their parking lot, at 1248 S Military Hwy.  Please be sure to register at the link below so we can provide updated parking information.  
• Our focus will be a cleanup of the floodplain inside Indian River Park.  There are areas along the edge of the floodplain that need trash collection, but we will also work inside the floodplain which is muddy and wet.  If possible, bring rubber boots and clothes that can get muddy.  Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves.  Long pants recommended.  
• We will have water and snacks but, we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize use of plastic bottles. 
• Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/ig4wqRufzSduA2Ns6 

Saturday, June 13: Second Saturday Evening Hike @ Indian River Park

• 
  ** 6 pm to 8 pm in the evening
• Location: Indian River Park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.) 
• Join us for a hike along the nature trail and through the park. Learn about the history of the park, the native trees and plants in this century old forest on the Indian River flood plain, and its value to maintaining the health of local butterfly, bird, and wildlife populations. Note: the forest trail has uneven surfaces and minor elevation changes.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/Qv8SCmXYUm8cBxk56 (suggested but not required)

Thursday, June 18: Welcome Summer Evening Potluck Picnic

• 6 pm to 8 pm (come out anytime during the event)

• 

  Picnic do Bruno | Michell Zappa | Flickr

  Location: Picnic Pavilion behind Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive; park in the side lot along St. Lawrence Dr.
• Rather than our usual monthly meeting, in June we'll have a potluck picnic out behind the church.  Bring a dish to share and join us for some camaraderie as we roll into summer.  The Friends will set out tables and chairs, and provide a main protein dish (likely chicken).  We suggest bringing a comfy lawn chair.
• In the event of rain, we will move the event inside the church's fellowship hall.
• To help coordinate who is bringing what, we set up a Sign Up Genius form at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DADA92FA2FA7-63952039-friends

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News

Volunteers needed for gardening

We have a regular need for volunteers to help maintain our gardens and plantings, both along Indian River Road at the Oaklette Bridge and at the native plant garden at Indian River Park.  This is in addition to our monthly volunteer days.  The tasks include regular weeding and other garden work; some work involves small group events during the week; once orientation is completed, some work might be on an individual schedule.  If you are interested in helping out, e-mail us at info@friendsofindianriver.org for more information.

Oyster Gardening

Do you live along the Indian River?  Want to help clean our water? The Chesapeake Bay Foundation—Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore, VA is hosting Oyster Gardening Seminars around Hampton Roads in June and July to get you set up. Learn more and sign up at https://www.cbf.org/resources/virginia-oyster-gardening-seminars/

May Recap

As we reported in the last newsletter, we started May with Clean the Bay Day.  Fifteen volunteers braved the rain to come to the cleanup at Blue Heron Landing Park, around the Oaklette Bridge, and along Indian River Road.  We had also planned to mulch the gardens at the bridge, but the rain cancelled those plans, so we rescheduled this and ...

We had a great turnout on a beautiful day mid-month for our Adopt-a-Garden work at the Oaklette Bridge today.   Thank you to all our volunteers, including crew members from ESB 8, USNS Hector A. Cafferata Jr., for weeding and mulching the garden.  Also, thank you to the Public Works Department, who, earlier that week, mowed and edged the area!  

Have an idea for an article for our newsletter?  Send your submission, max 250 words, to us at info@friendsofindianriver.org along with a photo and we'll consider it for our next edition. 

May Newsletter and Events

• Upcoming Events
• Saturday, May 9: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park
• Saturday, May 16: Adopt-A-Garden @ Oaklette Bridge
• Thursday, May 21: Bi-Monthly Meeting - River Otters
• Saturday, June 6: Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park
• Thursday, June 18: Welcome Summer Evening Potluck Picnic
• News
• Chesapeake City Budget
• Philmont Avenue Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Improvement Project
• Chesapeake Healthy Landscapes
• April-early May Recap

Upcoming Event

Saturday, May 9: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park

• 
  8:30 am to 10:30 am
• Location: Indian River Park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.) 
• Join us for a hike along the nature trail and through the park. Learn about the history of the park, the native trees and plants in this century old forest on the Indian River flood plain, and its value to maintaining the health of local butterfly, bird, and wildlife populations. Note: the forest trail has uneven surfaces and minor elevation changes.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/1jzZz4X7qrTX7Vxs9 (suggested but not required)

Saturday, May 16: Adopt-A-Garden @ Oaklette Bridge

• 
  From 9 AM to Noon
• Meet at Lilac Avenue and Indian River Road. Park along Lilac Avenue by the Norfolk Highlands Primary School.
• We will be weeding and mulching our gardens along Indian River Road at the Oaklette Bridge. 
• Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful.  Bring your favorite hand-weeding tool, if you have one. We will have water and snacks, but we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize the use of plastic bottles. Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/SB5gcB3GX7L2Wg2t9 (suggested but not required)

Thursday, May 21: Bi-Monthly Meeting - River Otters

• 
  7 pm to 8:30 pm
• Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive
• Our guest speaker will be Victoria Dunch from the Elizabeth River Project, who will talk to us about the return of river otters, once a rare sight, to the Elizabeth River, including the Indian River.  The resurgence has inspired a new collaboration between the Elizabeth River Project and the River Otter Ecology Project, a national organization promoting community science to support water conservation efforts nationwide.  
• All are welcome.  We'll also have the latest community news and updates!  There will be light refreshments.

Saturday, June 6: Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park

• 9 am to Noon
• Location: We are partnering with Southern Volkswagen Dealership for this event and will be staging the cleanup from the south end of their parking lot, at 1248 S Military Hwy.  Please be sure to register at the link below so we can provide updated parking information.  
• Our focus will be a cleanup of the floodplain inside Indian River Park.  There are areas along the edge of the floodplain that need trash collection, but we will also work inside the floodplain which is muddy and wet.  If possible, bring rubber boots and clothes that can get muddy.  Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves.  Long pants recommended.  
• We will have water and snacks but, we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize use of plastic bottles. 
• Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/ig4wqRufzSduA2Ns6 

Thursday, June 18: Welcome Summer Evening Potluck Picnic

• 
  6 pm to 8 pm (come out anytime during the event)
• Location: Picnic Pavilion behind Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive; park in the side lot along St. Lawrence Dr.
• Rather than our usual monthly meeting, in June we'll have a potluck picnic out behind the church.  Bring a dish to share and join us for some camaraderie as we roll into summer.  The Friends will set out tables and chairs, and provide a main protein dish (likely chicken).  We suggest bringing a comfy lawn chair.
• In the event of rain, we will move the event inside the church's fellowship hall.
• To help coordinate who is bringing what, we set up a Sign Up Genius form at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DADA92FA2FA7-63952039-friends

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News

Chesapeake City Budget

The City Council is in the process of reviewing the proposed budget for the City and is scheduled to vote on the final budget at their meeting on May 12.  The proposed budgets can be found at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/176/Budget-Department.  

In the Capital Improvement Program, the Friends of Indian River were pleased to support new funding for two critical items for the Indian River Area:

• Project 30-310 Blue Heron Landing Midblock Pedestrian Crossing - across Indian River Road to provide safe access to Blue Heron Landing Park.  This is a very high priority for our community.
• Project 28-310 Military Highway Trail - to build 4,200 linear feet of 10-foot wide multi-purpose trail between Smith Avenue and Paramont Avenue and from Rokeby Avenue to Auburn Drive on South Military Highway.   Currently, there are no sidewalks or any pedestrian or bicycle infrastructure in this area.  Combined with the Rokeby Intersection improvements (project 41-290), which we understand now includes the needed pedestrian crossing at Rokeby Avenue (an issue we raised last year and were happy to hear was resolved), this will provide critical safety improvements along Military Highway.   We look forward to working with Public Works to discuss the alignment of the trail.

We have also been briefed that the Indian River Road Traffic Calming and Bike Lanes will be implemented as soon as May (project 40-270 in the current budget).   This is another critical safety improvement that we are keenly awaiting.   

We continue to ask that some of the funding set aside for  project 42-270, Streetscaping and Landscaping of Various Gateway Corridors, be applied to the Indian River area.  Streetscaping was another key element of the Indian River Planning Area Study and Redevelopment Strategy,

We also support the funding for other projects underway in the area, including:

• #26-300 Indian River Strategic Acquisition of Real Property - This project funds the purchase of commercial and residential property along key transportation corridors within the Indian River Planning Area to support implementation of the Indian River Planning Area Study and Redevelopment Strategy
• #15-300 Chesapeake Pedestrian Access Improvements - funds improvements to pedestrian crossings at 33 signalized intersections [that] include high-visibility crosswalks, pedestrian signal poles, push buttons, and curb ramps with detectable warnings.
• #65-230 Philmont Avenue Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Improvement Project
• #52-250 Norfolk Highlands Stormwater Improvements 
• #72-270 Cuffee Community Center Pool 
• #05-260 Broadlawn Apartments Stormwater Outfall Improvements 
• #61-270 Providence Road Crossing Replacement (replacement for the existing damaged cross pipes under Providence Road near lake)
• #20-300 Urban Forestry & Tree Inventory Plan - This will include the development of an Urban Forest Master Plan
• #27-300 Wayfinding Signage - This project funds the design and implementation of a scalable wayfinding sign ‘family’ consisting of entryway, gateway, and both pedestrian and vehicular wayfinding signage.
• #16-290, Indian River Façade Improvement Grant

Philmont Avenue Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Improvement Project

This project, which will install sanitary sewer piping along Philmont Avenue, where homes are still on septic systems, and also make improvements to the stormwater drainage system, is finally getting ready to start.  The City is holding an Open House on Monday, May 11, 5 pm to 8 pm at Sparrow Road Intermediate School to share information about the project.  

Chesapeake Healthy Landscapes

It's spring and we are encouraging folks to sign up for the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council (CEIC) Chesapeake Healthy Landscape Program.  This program recognizes and encourages residents to take steps to create healthy landscapes on their properties.  Participants who sign up can receive an information kit and a landscape flag as recognition for their efforts.  

To be recognized, they are looking for commitments to Protect Your Trees, put the Right Plant in the Right Place, Consider Wildlife, Reduce Lawn Maintenance, Reduce Runoff, Avoid or Remove Invasive Plants, and Limit Chemical Usage.  Learn more and sign up at Chesapeake Healthy Landscape Program.

 The program dovetails nicely with the Elizabeth River Project River Star Homes program.  River Stars are also eligible for additional cost-share funding for living shoreline and conservation landscaping projects.  

We're hoping that the Indian River will be the top area for sign-ups in the Chesapeake.  

April-early May Recap

In early April, we met up with the Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club for a hike in Indian River Park.   The Trail Club goes out to explore different trails around the region every Tuesday.  This outing was a great opportunity to show off Indian River Park to first-time visitors.

Mid-month, volunteers came out to pull the winter weeds out of our native plant garden at Indian River Park.  The before-during-after pictures show the amazing difference!   Now we need volunteers to help maintain the garden through the rest of the year.  If interested, please e-mail us at info@friendsofindianriver.org.  

And we started out May with Clean the Bay Day.  Fifteen volunteers braved the rain to come to the cleanup at Blue Heron Landing Park, around the Oaklette Bridge, and along Indian River Road.  Overall, we collected about 150 lbs of litter, including an awful lot of small stuff like cigarette butts (little nicotine pollution packets, stuffing from a toy, straws, bottle caps, etc.

We also tabled at the CEIC screening of The Lorax movie at the Central Library for Earth Day.  It was a fun event and a chance to work with our partners and reach out to the community.  And we had a chance to meet the Lorax and Smokey the Bear!

Thank you to the volunteers who helped this month!

Have an idea for an article for our newsletter?  Send your submission, max 250 words, to us at info@friendsofindianriver.org along with a photo and we'll consider it for our next edition.

April Newsletter and Events

• Upcoming Events
• Saturday, April 11: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park
• Saturday, April 18: Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park
• Saturday, May 2, 2026: Clean the Bay Day
• News
• Earth Month
• Special Election - Redistricting Referendum
• March Recap

Upcoming Event

Saturday, April 11: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park

• 
  8:30 am to 10:30 am
• Location: Indian River Park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.) 
• Join us for a hike along the nature trail and through the park. Learn about the history of the park, the native trees and plants in this century old forest on the Indian River flood plain, and its value to maintaining the health of local butterfly, bird, and wildlife populations. Note: the forest trail has uneven surfaces and minor elevation changes.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/okbSRpfb6NCmXbTg8 (suggested but not required)

Saturday, April 18: Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park

• From 9:00 am to Noon.  
• Location: Indian River Park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.) 
• We will focus on two efforts this day:
1. Weeding and cleaning up the native plant garden at the park entrance area.
2. Invasive plant control in the park.  This will focus on hand-pulling young Linden Viburnum plants and English Ivy.  
• The more volunteers that come out, the more that we can accomplish! 
• Please wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, a hat and bring work gloves. Hoes and other weeding tools will be useful.  We will have water and snacks, but we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize the use of plastic bottles. Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/75kg9tNRWNfU6wcL8, suggested but not required.

Saturday, May 2, 2026: Clean the Bay Day

• 
  From 9 AM to Noon
• Meet at Lilac Avenue and Indian River Road. Park along Lilac Avenue by the Norfolk Highlands Primary School.
• For Clean the Bay Day, we will be working around Oaklette Bridge and Blue Heron Landing Park.  We will be weeding and mulching the roadside gardens, doing a cleanup along the Park shoreline, under the bridge, and along Indian River Road.
• Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful.  Bring your favorite hand weeding tool, if you have one. We will have water and snacks but we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize use of plastic bottles. Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/ZKDmYu7zyNF9Z2Jf6 (suggested but not required)

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News

Earth Month

Our partners at the Chesapeake Sustainability Network have documented a ton of stuff happening in Chesapeake for Earth Month, including cleanups, Chesapeake Recycles Day, plant sales, Big Tree Tour, Fix-It-Fair, nature walks and contests.  A few events they are highlighting include:

• Saturday, April 18, Earth Day Festival @ Lakeside Park
• Sunday, April 19, The Lorax Movie “Speak for the Trees” screening @ Central Library
• Tuesday, April 21, Earth Day Proclamation at the City Council Meeting

For the formal Earth Day Proclamation on April 21, 6:30 pm, we would love to fill the City Council Chamber with people who care for the environment.  Come out, wear your favorite environmental t-shirt, or something green or blue, and join us in standing up for a Greener Chesapeake!

Get the full schedule of events for the entire month here and check back for updates - more events are still being added!

Special Election - Redistricting Referendum

Early Voting is underway at Registrar’s Office, 411 Cedar Road, Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm; also Saturday, April 11 and April 18, 9 am-5 pm.  The last day for early voting is April 18.  In person at your regular voting precinct is on Tuesday, April 21, 7 am-7 pm.  To see the sample ballot and get more voter information, visit https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1055/Sample-Ballot

March Recap

The Friends of Indian River supported two clean-ups in March.  On March 21, 14 volunteers came out for our Adopt-A-Road around the bridge, at Blue Heron Landing Park, and along Indian River Road.  About 250 lbs. of litter were collected.  On March 28, we teamed up with Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism and the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council for the Great American Cleanup.  8 volunteers removed about 150 lbs. of trash plus 1 microwave oven we pulled from the lake.

Photo by Bob Ruegsegger for the Virginian-Pilot

The Virginian-Pilot published a great article highlighting Indian River Park and our Second Saturday Hikes.  As one visitor was quoted in the article, “I come here to enjoy all of the different types of trails they have. I like to see the wildlife and the different types of birds,... it’s such a unique piece of land.”   Read the full article in the e-Pilot (subscription).

A huge Thank You to everyone who donated during our spring membership drive.  We blew past our fundraising goal, raising $2750.  The Friends of Indian River is an all-volunteer, local, 501(c)(3) non-profit, and we depend on member contributions to advance our mission to improve the quality of life for all the residents of the Indian River neighborhoods.  You can become a member, renew your membership, or just make a contribution online at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/membership.html

Have an idea for an article for our newsletter?  Send your submission, max 250 words, to us at info@friendsofindianriver.org along with a photo and we'll consider it for our next edition.

March Newsletter and Events

In this edition:

Upcoming Events

• Saturday, March 14: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park
• Thursday, March 19: Monthly Meeting - Jim Lang on Waterfront Law
• Saturday, March 21, 2026: Adopt-A-Road Cleanup
• Saturday, March 28, 2026: Great American Cleanup around Indian River Civic Campus

News

• Throwing Shade
• February Recap
• Spring Membership Drive

Upcoming Events

Saturday, March 14: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park

• 
  8:30 am to 10:30 am
• Location: Indian River Park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.) 
• Join us for a hike along the nature trail and through the park. Learn about the history of the park, the native trees and plants in this century old forest on the Indian River flood plain, and its value to maintaining the health of local butterfly, bird, and wildlife populations. Note: the forest trail has uneven surfaces and minor elevation changes.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/1pPAdMYFQCg1nXGW6 (suggested but not required)

Thursday, March 19: Monthly Meeting - Jim Lang on Waterfront Law

• 7 pm to 8:30 pm
• Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive
• Our guest speaker will be Jim Lang speaking on Waterfront Law.  He will discuss Waterfront Property Owner Rights and Responsibilities, including aspects of the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act (CPBA).
• We will also have a short business meeting to adopt our budget for the coming year.
• All are welcome.  We'll also have the latest community news and updates!  There will be light refreshments.

Saturday, March 21, 2026: Adopt-A-Road Cleanup

• 
  From 9 AM to 11:30 am  
• Meet at Lilac Avenue and Indian River Road. Park along Lilac Avenue by the Norfolk Highlands Primary School.
• Join us for our quarterly cleanup along Indian River Road and at Blue Heron Landing Park.
• We are also asking all business owners along Indian River Road - and everywhere really - to make sure they sweep up in front of their storefronts as part of the effort.   And if you can't make it out for our organized cleanup, please take 15 minutes and clean up the street and ditches in front of your home; pass the word to your neighbors!
• For our main cleanup on Indian River Road, the city will provide garbage bags and orange safety vests.  Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat, and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful.  We will have water and snacks, but we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize the use of plastic bottles.  Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/G32PjVyWr9Vvbb98A (suggested but not required)

Saturday, March 28, 2026: Great American Cleanup around Indian River Civic Campus

• 
  From 9 AM to 11 AM  
• Meet at Indian River Library parking lot, 2320 Old Greenbrier Rd
• We're teaming up with the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council to do the Great American Cleanup at the Indian River Civic Campus and the lake.
• Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat, and bring work gloves and other items that may be useful.  We will have water and snacks, but we also always encourage folks to bring their own water in reusable bottles to minimize the use of plastic bottles.  Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/WbnYxokrDcwRma6t8 (suggested but not required)

Other Events

• Chesapeake Recycles Day - March 7, 9 am - Noon, at Oscar Smith Middle School.  https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1089/Chesapeake-Recycles-Day
• Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) is seeking public input for Hampton Roads Horizon, a long-range regional strategic plan focused on improving the quality of life and strengthening economic competitiveness. Take the survey at  https://hrpdcva.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/280 

News

Throwing Shade

Spring planting season is right around the corner and the Virginia Department of Forestry wants to help you plant native trees and shrubs.  The Throwing Shade Virginia program will provide discounts of $25 on eligible purchases valued at $50 or more, as an incentive to customers to purchase and plant native species of trees and shrubs.   Only available for trees and shrubs native to Virginia and only at participating nurseries.  Locally, Southern Branch Nursery in Chesapeake and Lady Fern’s Native Plants in Norfolk are participating nurseries.  Learn more at https://dof.virginia.gov/urban-community-forestry/urban-forestry-community-assistance/throwing-shade-va-program/

February Recap

Thank you to Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism for leading three Weed Warrior events at Indian River Park in February.   Volunteers and city staff worked on the west side of the park to remove English Ivy from trees and tackle other invasive plants like privet and false holly.  

Spring Membership Drive

It's time for our annual spring membership drive.  The Friends of Indian River is an all-volunteer, local, 501(c)(3) non-profit, and we depend on member contributions to advance our mission to improve the quality of life for all the residents of the Indian River neighborhoods.  Our fiscal year ends March 31 and our fundraising goal is $2100; we are currently at $1580.  Help us reach our goal.  You can become a member, renew your membership, or just make a contribution online at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/p/membership.html 

Have an idea for an article for our newsletter?  Send your submission, max 250 words, to us at info@friendsofindianriver.org along with a photo and we'll consider it for our next edition.

February Newsletter and Events

• Upcoming Events
• Tuesday, February 3, 6:30 pm: Town Meeting @ Indian River High School
• Saturday, February 7, 8:30 am: Birding Walk @ Lake by Indian River Civic Campus
• Weed Warrior Wednesdays, 1 pm - Feb 4, 11, and 25 @ Indian River Park
• News
• Chesapeake 2045 Comprehensive Plan
• Friends of Indian River Annual Meeting
• January Recap 

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, February 3, Town Meeting @ Indian River High School

• Cancelled
• Location: Indian River High School
• The City is scheduled to hold a Town Meeting on Tuesday, February 3, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Indian River High School (1969 Braves Trail). Residents are encouraged to attend at their leisure to discuss topics of interest with City Council members and City staff. For more information, visit www.CityOfChesapeake.net/TownMeetings

Saturday, February 7, 2026: Birding Walk @ Lake by Indian River Civic Campus

• 
  CANCELLED
• Location: Meet at the Indian River Community Center, 2250 Old Greenbrier Rd.
• We're doing our annual birding walk a week early this year.  Join us for a guided bird walk around the lake between the Indian River Community/Rec Center and the High School.
• Previous years we've been treated with seeing Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons, Ospreys, Bluebirds, various species of woodpeckers, and a large variety of waterfowl on the lake.
• We'll have some binoculars and a spotting scope, but do bring your own if you have some!
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/fzyoJdQPuZKdSPvw8. Suggested but not required.

Weed Warrior Wednesdays - Feb 4, 11, and 25 @ Indian River Park

• 
  From 1 pm to 3 pm
• Location: Indian River Park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.)
• Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism is leading Weed Warrior Wednesday volunteer events at Indian River Park in February to remove invasive plants in the park.   
• Please bring your own work gloves, water bottle, snack, sunscreen, bug spray, and other items you may need for all of the activities listed below. Please wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes and dress for the conditions.  These activities are for ages 14 and up.
• Please see sign up instructions at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040c4aacae2eaaf58-fall

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News

Chesapeake 2045 Comprehensive Plan

The City Council approved the new, revised Chesapeake 2045 Comprehensive Plan for the City on January 20.   This is the culmination of 2 years of effort by the Planning Department.   The Plan serves as the city's blueprint for future growth, development, and preservation of resources. It is a key tool used by the Planning Department when reviewing and approving zoning applications. While there were some areas where we felt the plan could have had stronger policies or environmental protection, overall, the document presented a strong vision for creating a high-quality future for the City that is proactive about developing necessary infrastructure, protects green and open space, works to connect people, and respects the unique character of different parts of the City.   The plan references and adopts existing local area plans, such as the Indian River Planning Area Study approved in 2021.  The final plan can be found at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/3275/2045-Comprehensive-Plan

Friends of Indian River Annual Meeting

We had a lively Annual Meeting on January 15, discussing plans for the coming year.   The Friends of Indian River have been very effective since the group was established in 2012.  The Friends have been key stakeholders and drivers for many local improvements, including the Indian River Small Area Plan, the City acquisition and replacement of the Aqua Virginia Water System, improved trail management at Indian River Park, and the creation of Blue Heron Landing Park.  We maintain two native plant gardens and other planting areas, organize regular cleanups that have removed over 20,000 lbs. of litter and debris, and have performed over 11,000 hours of volunteer service over the last 14 years.   But we can't rest on our laurels and are looking at this year to revitalize the organization, strengthen our volunteer base and membership, increase outreach, and prepare new leadership to carry the organization forward.  Stay tuned for opportunities to get involved!

January Recap

We had a great turnout for our Invasive Species Workshop in mid-January at Indian River Park.  After learning about the impact of these harmful, introduced plants in the park, 14 volunteers worked to remove English Ivy climbing trees in the southwest section of the park, cutting vines off the base of trees.  We should see the impact in the work area in a couple of months as the vines wither.

The Friends of Indian River were honored to be recognized again for Sustained Distinguished Performance at the Model Level by the Elizabeth River Project at their annual River Star Business Awards Luncheon.  

Have an idea for an article for our newsletter?  Send your submission, max 250 words, to us at info@friendsofindianriver.org along with a photo and we'll consider it for our next editi