November Newsletter

• Upcoming Events
• Tuesday, Nov 3: Election Day
• Saturday, Nov 14: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park
• Thursday, Nov 19: Meeting: Environmental Justice
• Saturday, Nov 21: Adopt-A-Road Cleanup
• News
• Chesapeake Healthy Landscapes
• October Recap

Upcoming Event

Tuesday, November 3: Election Day

Early voting ends Saturday, October 31.  

On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, polling locations open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Those in line to vote at 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.      

Key votes will be for the U.S. House and Senate.  Locally, the majority of the City Council and School Board are up for election.   Also on the ballot are three Virginia Constitution Amendments regarding core rights for Virginians. You can find the sample ballot at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1055/Sample-Ballot

If you are not yet registered to vote, you can still vote with a provisional ballot with Same Day Voter Registration.  Get more info on how and where to vote from the Voter Registrar's Office at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1175/Chesapeake-Precincts.  

Please go Vote!

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

• 
  8:30 am to 10 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/qZwaRt23DFarhGmW6 (suggested but not required).

Thursday, November 19: Meeting - Environmental Justice

• 7 pm to 8:30 pm
• Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive
• Speaker: Our guest speaker will be Kim Sudderth.  Ms. Sudderth is Policy Director for Virginia Interfaith Power & Light, CEO for Grass Roots Organizers (gRo), and the current chair of the Norfolk Planning Commission.  She will be talking to us about Environmental Justice. 
• All are welcome.  We'll also have the latest community news and updates!  There will be light refreshments.

Saturday, November 21, 2026: Adopt-A-Road Cleanup along Indian River Road 

• 9 am to Noon
• Location: Meet at Lilac Avenue and Indian River Road.  Park along Lilac Avenue by the Norfolk Highlands Primary School.  It is a No Parking zone along Oleander Avenue (parallel to Indian River Road).
• 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/BAcVxwPFummyRgFMA  (suggested but not required).

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News

Chesapeake Healthy Landscapes Program

We are encouraging folks to sign up for the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council and the City of Chesapeake's new 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 | Chesapeake, VA

October Recap

Thank you to the 8 volunteers who came out for our Adopt-a-Park effort at Indian River Park to weed and mulch the native plant garden!

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.

October Newsletter

• Upcoming Events
• Tuesday, Oct 6: Chesapeake Town Meeting @ Indian River High School
• Saturday, Oct 10: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park
• Saturday, Oct 24: Adopt-A-Park @ Indian River Park
• News
• November Elections
• Ospreys in Trouble
• September Recap

Upcoming Event

Tuesday, October 6: Chesapeake Town Meeting

• 
  6:30 pm - 8 pm
• Location: Indian River High School, 1969 Braves Trail
• City Council will hold a Town Meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 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 https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/TownMeetings

Saturday, October 10: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park

• 
  8:30 am to 10 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/N8WUZRQTNDGfZ82LA (suggested but not required)

Saturday, October 24, 2026: 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, mulching 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/EjFwJVLx81Woqsix7 (suggested but not required)
  

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News

November Election

Early voting is underway at the Voter Registrar's Office at 411 Cedar Road and will expand to several libraries between October 19 and October 31.  The last day to register to vote is October 23, although you can do same day registration and vote a provisional ballot if you need to.  Get more info on how and where to vote from the Voter Registrar's Office at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1155/In-Person-Early-Voting-Absentee-By-Mail-.  You can find the sample ballot at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/1055/Sample-Ballot

Key votes will be for the U.S. House and Senate.  Locally, the majority of the City Council and School Board are up for election.   Also on the ballot are three Virginia Constitution Amendments regarding core rights for Virginians. 

Please get out and Vote!

Ospreys in Trouble

Our colleagues at the Cape Henry Audubon Society and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation have shared information on the dire situation for ospreys across the Chesapeake Bay region.   Ospreys in the saltier parts of the bay had the worst breeding year on record, with nesting pairs only successfully raising 0.25 chicks per nest on average.  Baby ospreys were literally starving in the nests because parents could not find enough fish for them to eat.   Ospreys need to raise about 0.8 to 1.3 chicks per year to keep the population stable.   In tidal freshwater regions, ospreys did do better, raising just over 1.0 chicks per nest.  

Among environmental groups, there is great concern that the declining populations of menhaden fish are destabilizing the entire food web in the Bay.  Menhaden are a forage fish that are key parts of the diet of ospreys, eagles, striped bass, otters, and many other species that make the Chesapeake Bay home.  Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC)  is currently reviewing options that include reducing the Chesapeake Bay Reduction Fishery Cap (Bay Cap) by up to 50%.  The ASMFC is taking public comment through October 9. We encourage everyone to sign on the Audubon action alert at https://act.audubon.org/a/menhaden-osprey-2026

September Recap

Thank you to the 12 volunteers who came out for our International Coastal Cleanup/Virginia Waterways Cleanup.    The team removed about 250 lbs of litter, a tire, a bumper, rebar, and more.  

The Planning Department has completed its Open Houses on Data Centers but is still taking public input via its Online Survey until October 30.   They will probably brief the City Council at a Work Session in November to get direction on next steps.  Check out the latest updates and action alerts on Data Centers from the Chesapeake Sustainability Network.  

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.

September Newsletter

• Upcoming Events
• Thursday, September 17: Monthly Meeting - Chesapeake Planning
• Saturday, Sept 19: International Coastal Cleanup @ Indian River Oaklette Bridge
• Saturday, Oct 10: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park
• News
• 2026 Legislative Scorecard
• Data Centers in Chesapeake
• Bird Safe Hampton Roads
• Chesapeake Celebrates Trees - and Healthy Landscapes
• Chesapeake Bay VoiCeS

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Upcoming Event

Thursday, September 17: Monthly Meeting - Chesapeake Planning

• 7 pm to 8:30 pm
• Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive
• Speaker: Olivia Knox, Chesapeake Planning Department on City Planning affecting the Indian River area.
• All are welcome.  We'll also have the latest community news and updates!  There will be light refreshments.

Saturday, Sept 19: International Coastal Cleanup @ Indian River Oaklette Bridge

• 
  Time: 9:00 am to Noon
• Location: Meet at Lilac Avenue and Indian River Road.  Park along Lilac Avenue by the Norfolk Highlands Primary School.  It is a No Parking zone along Oleander Avenue (parallel to Indian River Road).
• As part of the International Coastal Cleanup, we will be cleaning up around and underneath the Indian River - Oaklette Bridge, at Blue Heron Landing Park, and along 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/5CZDr8sQAw2YjL7R9  
• If have access to the Indian River and are interested in "paddling up" to this cleanup with your own canoe or kayak, please reach out to us in advance at info@friendsofindianriver.org

Saturday, October 10: Second Saturday Hike @ Indian River Park

• 
  8:30 am to 10 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/N8WUZRQTNDGfZ82LA (suggested but not required)

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News

2026 Legislative Scorecard

The Virginia League of Conservation Voters has published its 2026 Legislative Scorecard on the environmental voting record for Virginia delegates and senators.  Our local Indian River representatives all scored well:

• Delegate Bonita Anthony - 96%
• Delegate Cliff Hayes - 96%
• Senator Louise Lucas - 92%

Find the issues that were tracked and the scores for all the delegates at https://valcv.org/

Data Centers in Chesapeake

There was a great deal of activity to define regulations for future data centers in the City of Chesapeake over the summer.  The Planning Department prepared a draft ordinance and policy document in June.  In July, this draft was significantly amended by the Planning Commission, including setting requirements establishing significant setbacks - up to one-half mile from any existing homes - and noise restrictions.  The Planning Department was concerned these amendments would effectively ban data centers in the City, which the City Attorney argued was not something the City could legally do.  The City Council ended up requesting an 8-month moratorium on any data center applications, to allow for more public input.  But the City still needed to close a By-Right "loophole" in the existing City Ordinance, and the Planning Department brought forth a proposed ordinance in August that would do that - but would also set less strict setback requirements - only 1000' from homes - and permit data centers by Conditional Use in the Fentress area.  After a large turnout of people in opposition - 39 speakers at the August 18 City Council meeting - the City Council approved a "clean" ordinance that closed the By-Right "loophole" and deferred all the other regulations.

The next step is collecting more public input.   The Planning Department is holding three open houses in September to collect public input, including one in our area, each from 5 pm to 7 pm:

• Tuesday, September 1, Great Bridge Primary School, 408 Cedar Road
• Monday, September 14, Indian River Community Center, 2250 Old Greenbrier Road
• Wednesday, September 30, Camelot Community Center, 948 King Arthur Drive

Learn more about the City's proposed policy and the various concerns, including opening up the Fentress overlay to data center development, permitted noise levels, setback distances from residential properties, plans for decommissioning defunct data centers, and efficiency standards from our partners at the Chesapeake Sustainability Network.

Bird Safe Hampton Roads

The Friends of Indian River also partner with the local Cape Henry Audubon Society to promote the Bird Safe/Lights Out Initiative.   The fall migration is underway and Chesapeake lies along the Atlantic Migratory Flyway. During migration, birds rest during the day and fly at night.  During these long-distance flights, birds become disoriented by the bright, artificial lights of cities and are drawn into hazardous urban areas, where building collisions are a leading human cause of bird deaths, killing around 1 billion birds each year.  

As part of this voluntary program, we encourage property managers, businesses, tenants, government agencies, and residents to help prevent nighttime bird collisions with buildings by turning off and/or blocking as many external and internal building lights at workplaces as possible at night to help prevent injury and death of migrating birds, especially from 11 pm to sunrise.    Learn how you can help at Bird Safe Hampton Roads.

Chesapeake Celebrates Trees - and Healthy Landscapes

The City's annual Arbor Day recognition will be on Saturday, September 26, 12 - 4 pm, at the Chesapeake Arboretum.  Chesapeake is celebrating 40 years as a Tree City USA.  The event will include Arbor Day Ceremonies, tree climbing demonstrations, interactive butterfly exhibits, forest bathing, tree trail tours, a food truck, giveaways, and more.

The Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council (CEIC) is also continuing its 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.

Chesapeake Bay VoiCeS

Would you like to learn more about the environmental issues impacting the Chesapeake Bay watershed and ongoing restoration efforts?  The next Chesapeake Bay Foundation Chesapeake Stewards (VoiCeS) class, a highly recommended multi-week adult education course, will be held in Portsmouth (near Camelot) from September 15 to October 20.  Learn more and Register 

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.

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.