- Upcoming Events
- 10/7/2024 - Early Voting Starts at Indian River Library
- 10/19/2024 - Adopt-A-Park at Indian River Park - Native Plant Garden
- 10/23/2024 - Grand Opening of Blue Heron Landing Park
- 10/23/2024 - Indian River Design Guidelines Open House
- 10/26/2024 - History Walk from Norfolk Highands Primary to Oaklette Historic District
- News
- Chesapeake Healthy Landscapes
- Comp Plan Open Houses
- September Recap
Upcoming Events
Monday, October 7: Early Voting Starts at Indian River Library and other Satellite Locations
- Early Voting is underway. Satellite voting sites start to open on October 7. See the full list of Chesapeake voting locations at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=357
- "Any registered voter can vote early in person without needing to apply to do so. If you decide to vote early, you can vote at any of the locations below (you don’t have to stay in your precinct).
- Voter Registrar’s Office (411 Cedar Rd.)
September 20 – November 2, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 26 and Saturday, November 2, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 6, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. - Satellite Locations - Central Library, Indian River Library, Major Hillard Library, Cuffee Community Center
October 7 - November 2,
Monday – Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 26 and Saturday, November 2, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. - *All satellite locations will be closed on Monday, October 14.
- Western Branch Community Center
October 21 – November 2
Monday – Thursday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 26 and Saturday, November 2 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. - The deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration is October 15, 2024. (Voters may register after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot). Election Day - the last day to vote - will be Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Need to register to vote, check your status, or update your voter registration? Visit https://vote.virginia.gov/ today.
Saturday, October 19 - 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 - Blue Heron Landing Grand Opening
- 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm
- Location: Blue Heron Landing Park.
- Please join the City of Chesapeake and the Friends of Indian River to celebrate the opening of our newest park. Blue Heron Landing Park features an elevated boardwalk, oyster castle sill, living shoreline, accessible ramps with railings, and an ADA-accessible floating kayak launch. Parks, Recreation and Tourism will be there to demonstrate all the ways to enjoy the new park. There will be kayak demonstrations, kids' craft activities, bird-watching equipment, and a fishing display. Event is free and open to the public.
- Parking is not available on-site. Please park at Norfolk Highlands Primary School (1115 Myrtle Avenue). Shuttle service will be available.
Wednesday, October 23 - Indian River Road Design Guidelines Open House
- 5:00 pm - 7 pm
- Location: Indian River High School, 1969 Braves Trail
- Hosted by the Planning Department. The Indian River Design Guidelines focus on the creation of a vision and unique sense of place for future development or redevelopment of the three key commercial corridors of Indian River Road, Providence Road, and the eastern portion of Military Highway. They would establish site standards for commercial development including circulation (vehicular and pedestrian), parking, streetscape design, public spaces, sidewalks and pathways, and street furnishings, lighting and signage, and landscaping. They also look at architectural standards for building setbacks, heights, lot coverage, spacing, and orientation, building massing and scale, façade treatment, and materials.
- Learn more at https://www.cityofchesapeake.net/3217/Indian-River-Design-Guidelines
Saturday, October 26 - History Walk
- Time: 10 am to Noon
- 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/whP7vMAxLtPLwdHcA
Chesapeake Healthy Landscapes
At our September meeting, Amy Weber, Chair of the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council (CEIC), briefed us on the new "Chesapeake Healthy Landscapes" program is being developed by the CEIC to recognize even healthy and beautiful yards across the City. The program will ask participants to commit to Seven Principles for maintaining a landscape that supports wildlife and promotes a healthier environment including:
- Protect Your Trees.
- Right Plant! Right Place!
- Consider Wildlife Needs.
- Reduce Lawn Maintenance.
- Reduce Runoff.
- Avoid or Remove Invasive Plants.
- Limit Chemical Usage for Clean Waterways.
This is the successor to the CEIC long-running Notable Yards program, although instead of being a contest, everyone is encouraged to join. Participants who demonstrate a commitment to following these principles will receive a Chesapeake Healthy Landscapes garden flag and a kit with more information and tips. The Friends of Indian River are excited to promote and support this program once it kicks off!
- 5 pm to 6:30 pm
- Location: South Norfolk Community Center, 1217 Godwin Avenue, Monday Oct 7
- Get the latest updates on the revisions to the City's Comprehensive Plan and provide feedback.
- Also at Western Branch Community Center, Thursday, October 3, Great Bridge Primary School, Wednesday, October 16, 5 pm to 6:30 pm and Fire Station #7 in Southern Chesapeake on Thursday, October 24, 2024
September Recap
The tickseeds were in full bloom along the power line corridor in Indian River Park in September, giving us quite a treat during our Second Saturday Hike. Later in the month, after all the rain, there were quite a variety of mushrooms in the park.
