Summer Newsletter

In this Edition

• Upcoming Events
• On-going - Volunteers Needed for Gardening
• News
• Chesapeake Healthy Landscapes Program
• Why Healthy Landscapes in Your Yard Matter
• June Recap
• Fall Preview

Upcoming Events

On-going Volunteer Activities

We have a continuing need for volunteers through the summer to help maintain our gardens and plantings at the Oaklette Bridge and the native plant garden at Indian River Park.   If you are interested in helping, please e-mail us at info@friendsofindianriver.org for more information.  

Tasks include regular weeding and other garden work. Some of the work involves small group events during the week. Once orientation is completed, some work might be on an individual schedule.

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

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 

Why Healthy Landscapes in Your Yard Matter

Bird populations are down 30% since 1970.  Butterfly abundance is down 22% since 2000.  Half of all native bee species are in decline and a quarter are in danger of extinction.  Human-caused habitat loss and climate change are the primary causes of these declines.   People have transformed nearly all the land of the eastern US by cutting down trees and converting land to farms, cities, and suburbs.  We've replaced entire native ecosystems with cropland, lawns, ornamental plants, and asphalt that provide little value to wildlife, especially the insects that form the central layer of the food chain.

This is where you can make a difference.  There are nearly 44 million acres of lawns across the US.  The "well-kept" lawn sold by the lawn care industry is a burden on nature and homeowners' time and money.   Lawns provide practically no benefits to nature while needing constant mowing, watering, and application of herbicides and pesticides to keep out "weeds" and "pests".  

In contrast, a healthy home landscape incorporates native flowers, shrubs, and trees while minimizing lawns to those areas needed for play or access.  Native plants support the food chain and provide homes and nutrition for bees, butterflies and beneficial insects.  In turn, these insects provide food for baby birds, turtles, and a variety of small animals.   An established native plant garden also rarely needs the use of herbicides and pesticides.   Rather than a sterile yard, your garden now becomes a habitat that helps restore balance and resilience to nature.  More plants also mean less rain runoff, less flooding, cleaner air, cooler local temperatures, more CO2 removal, and a lot more peace of mind.   

This doesn't mean you need to run out and start tearing out your lawn tomorrow.  But every native plant added helps.   Start small, perhaps planting a few pollinator-friendly native plants.  Make a plan and add to your garden over time.   Think about steps you can take to make your yard more wildlife-friendly, like adding a water source for birds, setting aside a brush pile, or just leaving more leaves on the ground in the fall. (Leaves provide an important habitat for many overwintering insects including fireflies).  Set aside space where you can enjoy your garden and watch as it comes to life.  Plant SEVA Natives — Plant Virginia Natives is a great starting point for learning about native plants.  

Want more information and advice? After signing up for the Chesapeake Healthy Landscape program above, you can arrange for a site visit from experienced gardeners in the program who can share a ton of great tips.

June Recap

Our big cleanup this month was Clean the Bay Day at Indian River Park. 28 volunteers including from the Friends of Indian River, Tidewater Master Naturalist, The Ohio State University Alumni Club of Hampton Roads, and Boys Scouts of American, VA Beach Troop 16B came out to the park and removed 300 lbs. of litter and about 400 lbs. of construction debris. 

Later in the month, Five volunteers braved the late June heat to help with our Adopt-A-Road cleanup.  We collected about 120 lbs. of litter, including a large bag of aluminum cans that we'll take to the Chesapeake Animal Services aluminum collection bin. 

 A big thank you to everyone who came out to help!

Fall Preview

In September, we'll resume our regular event schedule with

• Saturday, Sept. 13, Second Saturday Hike at Indian River Park
• Thursday, Sept. 18, Bi-Monthly Meeting with Christina Trapani from Clean Virginia Waterways
• Saturday, Sept. 20, International Coastal Cleanup volunteer event.  

We're still finalizing the fall schedule, but it will include more hikes, cleanups, and gardening at the park.  For our November meeting, we invited Council Member Pat King to speak to our group.  And we'll plan a holiday get-together for December.  Stay tuned for more details in our September newsletter.  

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 7: Clean the Bay Day
• Saturday, June14: Second Saturday Evening Hike
• Thursday, June 19: Summer Evening Picnic
• Saturday, June 21: Adopt-A-Road Cleanup along Indian River Road
• On-going - Volunteers Needed for Gardening
• News
• Chesapeake Budget
• Connecting Chesapeake
• Indian River Design Guidelines
• Indian River High School Scholarship
• Chesapeake VoiCeS
• Oyster Gardening
• May Recap

Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 7, 2025: Clean the Bay Day @ Indian River Park

• 
  9AM to Noon
• Location: Indian River Park trailhead
  at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.) which is located just south of Military Highway, i.e. across Military Highway from the Fire Station.
• The Friends of Indian River's will be hosting Clean the Bay Day at the Indian River Park
• Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves.  Long pants recommended. Some of the cleanup area is in the river flood plain which can be muddy.  
• 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/EiokEr1KHgStDVqt7 (suggested but not required)

Saturday, June 14, 2025: Evening Hike @ Indian River Park

• 
  6 pm to 7:30 pm
• Location: Indian River Park entrance
• at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.) which is located just south of Military Highway, i.e. across Military Highway from the Fire Station.
• 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/1V6v7U6EdPV4phwC6 (suggested but not required)

Thursday, June 19, 2025: 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 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, 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/10C094DADA92FA2FA7-56804950-friends

Saturday, June 21, 2025: Adopt-A-Road Cleanup along Indian River Road 

• 
  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.
• We need your help for our quarterly cleanup.   Join us for a few hours to clean up the mile of Indian River Road from the city limits at Wingfield Avenue all the way to MacDonald 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 cleanup 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.  Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/fmzaaiipuXW2JE5H6 (suggested but not required)

On-going 

• 
  We will 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.
  
  

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News

Chesapeake Budget

On May 13, the Chesapeake City Council approved the City's Operating and Capital Budget for 2025-2026.  The new fiscal year starts on July 1st.  

1) We are pleased to see new funding for several items that can benefit the Indian River Area including

• (NEW) #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 the implementation of the Indian River Planning Area Study and Redevelopment Strategy, adopted by City Council in 2021.  
• 
  (NEW) #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. Per Highway Safety Improvement Program - VDOT Smart Portal, these include the intersections at Indian River Road and Tatemstown Road, Indian River Road and Sparrow Rd, Sparrow Rd and Providence Rd, Sparrow Rd and Military Highway, Providence Rd and Dunbarton Dr (near Georgetown Primary), and Providence Rd and Campostella Rd, Border Rd and Campostella Rd.  
• (New) #20-300 Urban Forestry & Tree Inventory Plan - This will include the development of an Urban Forest Master Plan, which will inform future decisions regarding the City's tree canopy.  This is another important project that the Friends of Indian River have requested for several years to reverse the steady decline of tree canopy cover in our community and across the City.  As per the data on urban tree canopy recently published in TreeCanopy.US, created by the Arbor Day Foundation, with the USDA Forest Service and PlanIT Geo, the tree canopy in the Indian River and Campotella area in 2023 was 1,022 acres or 25.5% of the area's total area of 4,010 acres.  This was a loss of 73 acres of tree canopy since 2018 when our tree cover was 27.3%. 
• (NEW) #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. This sign family will connect areas in the City to a cohesive Chesapeake identity while highlighting unique community features.  Our community can benefit from better wayfinding to direct to locations such as Blue Heron Landing Park, the IR Library, IR Community Center, the Cuffee Center and the new pool, Indian River Park, Plymouth Park, etc.  This was also identified as a need in the Indian River Planning Area Study.

2) The City approved funding for bike lanes on Indian River Road in 2022 - #40-270 Indian River Rd. Diet - Phase I - but the project has yet to get underway.  With the first summer coming at the new Blue Heron Landing Park, it becomes ever more urgent to implement a safe crosswalk at the new park. VDOT's Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Action Plan (PBSAP) identifies Indian River Road in Chesapeake as one of the Top 1% statewide roadway segments in priority to review for safety projects and other planning needs.  We've effectively had a lane diet in place for the past 9 months with Oaklette Bridge Rehabilitation work and it did not negatively impact traffic throughput.  The current roadway configuration with two lanes going each way has demonstratively made the road easier for pedestrians to cross at Blue Heron Landing.  Public Works is engaged in design studies for a crosswalk and the bike lanes and finished the speed limit study.  The Friends of Indian River continue to advocate for getting these safety improvements implemented now.

3) Last year the budget added $2.3M, funded via VDOT, to rebuild the intersection of Military Highway and Rokeby Avenue, project #41-290.  Design is supposed to start in this coming fiscal year.  The redesign will prohibit left turns from Rokeby Avenue (north or south) onto Military Highway.  Although designated as a Safety Improvement Project, we have previously raised concerns that the preliminary designs did not include a pedestrian crossing of Military Highway at Rokeby.  This was a major oversight, and in our comments, we reiterated that the design must include a pedestrian and bicycle crossing at this intersection to provide access to Indian River Park. The Friends of Indian River are asking to engage with Public Works at the earliest possible time to look at the design for this intersection.  

4) With the pending completion of the Indian River Design Guidelines, we look forward to starting funding for #16-290, Indian River Façade Improvement Grant of $40K per year.   We believe this will be another important tool to help support commercial revitalization along Indian River Road corridor, consistent with the Indian River Small Area Plan.  

5) We asked that some of the funding for #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,

6) The Budget also includes several previously funded projects that are either underway or pending include

• #65-230 Philmont Ave Septic System Disconnection (and replacement by sanitary sewer system) - expected to start this summer
• #52-250 Norfolk Highlands Stormwater Improvements - expected to start this summer
• #72-270 Cuffee Community Center Pool - design in progress
• #05-260 Broadlawn Apartments Stormwater Outfall Improvements 
• #61-270 Providence Road Crossing Replacement (replacement for the existing damaged cross pipes under Providence Road near the middle school) -

Connecting Chesapeake

Also on May 13, Hampton Roads Transit provided a report on the Tier 2 Alternatives for the Connecting Chesapeake Study looking at high-capacity transit options in our city.  Their recommendation was to do further study on the Bus Rapid Transit options on Alignments A and B.  Alignment B would run across Volvo Parkway, Greenbrier Parkway, Military Highway, and Indian River Road through our community.   The next step is for the City Council to formally endorse the recommendations and ask Hampton Roads Transit to proceed with more studies in preparation for potential grant applications.  

Indian River Design Guidelines

On May 20, the City Council approved the new Indian River Design Guidelines. As a key stakeholder in the Indian River Small Area Plan, the Friends of Indian River worked with the Planning Department to provide input on this document.  

The Design Guidelines are an important next step in advancing the commercial revitalization of the Indian River area.   Public input during the document development highlighted recurring themes regarding the need for better pedestrian and bicycle safety, enhanced landscaping and green space, and encouraging new destination-style businesses such as coffee shops, eateries, and a grocery store.   Overall, our group found the document's contents very positive, especially for the Indian River Road corridor, our community "Main Street".  It describes a path forward for transforming the community into a more pedestrian-friendly shopping street with landscaping, trees for shade, and sidewalks.  We also appreciate that the plan adopts Dark Sky and Bird Safe lighting and window standards.  The Guidelines also support efforts to implement urgently needed pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements along Indian River Road.  We were pleased that most of the landscape plant pallets include a substantial emphasis on using plants native to our region, helping promote biodiversity.

We thank the Planning Department and the consultant team for their diligent work on these guidelines and their strong emphasis on getting community input. 

Indian River High School Scholarship

Congratulations to Katherine Hamburg, winner of the Friends of Indian River 2025 Indian River High School Education Scholarship.  The scholarship recognizes a senior who excels in leadership, citizenship, extracurricular activities, and academics.  Katherine demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership abilities, and a remarkable commitment to our community.   She is looking forward to majoring in biology. Thank you for your efforts and best wishes for college and beyond!   

Chesapeake VoiCeS

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is holding a virtual session of its Volunteers as Chesapeake Stewards (VoiCeS) program.  This multi-week adult education course is designed to deepen your understanding of the Chesapeake Bay and how you can make a difference in its restoration.   A number of our members have taken this class and recommend it highly.  Held virtually over six consecutive Wednesday evenings, this interactive course features expert speakers covering a wide range of environmental topics relevant to Virginia, plus chances to get out in the field.   Dates: Wednesdays, July 9–August 13, 6:00–8:00 p.m. Online via Zoom.

Register at https://events.cbf.org/vavoices25

Oyster Gardening

Live along the water? Want to help restore the oyster population in our river in the Chesapeake Bay? The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is hosting Oyster Gardening training in June and July. Sign up at https://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/programs-initiatives/virginia/oyster-restoration/oyster-gardening/hampton-roads-oyster-gardening-seminars-new-gardeners.html

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Oyster Gardening Program gives citizens an opportunity to help bring back this vital species by growing oysters alongside their docks. Once grown, the adult oysters are returned to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for planting on sanctuary reefs. Learn more at https://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/programs-initiatives/virginia/oyster-restoration/oyster-gardening/

May Recap

The guest speaker at our May meeting was Lisa Renée Jennings, Hampton Roads Grassroots Coordinator for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Lisa Renée leads advocacy and volunteer efforts for the Save the Bay program in our region.    Many of our founding members have gone through the Chesapeake Bay Foundation volunteer training and the meeting was a great chance to hear the latest from the organization and share all our local efforts and successes.

From The Nature Conservancy

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

In this Edition

• Upcoming Events
• Saturday, May 10: Indian River Park Hike
• Thursday, May 15: Monthly Meeting - Chesapeake Bay Foundation
• Saturday, June 7: Clean the Bay Day
• News
• April Recap
• Volunteers Needed for Gardening

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 10, 2025: 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.) which is located just south of Military Highway, i.e. across Military Highway from the Fire Station.
• 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/944Niqw7MAts59vL6 (suggested but not required)

Thursday, May 15, 2025: Monthly Meeting - Chesapeake Bay Foundation

• 
  7 pm to 8:30 pm
• Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive
• Our guest speaker will be Lisa Renée Jennings, Hampton Roads Grassroots Coordinator for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Lisa Renée leads advocacy and volunteer efforts for the Save the Bay program in our region and will provide us with an update on their latest activities.
• All are welcome. We'll also have the latest community news and updates! There will be light refreshments for the meeting.
  

Saturday, June 7: Clean the Bay Day

• 9AM to Noon
• Location: Indian River Park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.) which is located just south of Military Highway, i.e. across Military Highway from the Fire Station.
• The Friends of Indian River's will be hosting Clean the Bay Day at the Indian River Park
• Please wear closed-toe shoes, a hat and bring work gloves. Long pants recommended. Some of the cleanup area is in the river flood plain which can be muddy.
• 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/EiokEr1KHgStDVqt7 (suggested but not required)

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News

April Recap

We had two big volunteer events this month.

Just before Easter, we hosted a detachment from the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), who came to Indian River Park for their annual Volunteer Service event.  Along with our dedicated Friends of Indian River volunteers and staff from Chesapeake Parks, Recreation and Tourism, the volunteers worked to remove invasive English Ivy in the park and weed and mulch the native plant garden at the park trailhead.   A successful day all around!

On April 26, to recognize Earth Day, we were at the gardens by the Oaklette Bridge on Indian River Road to do weeding and mulching. We had a great turnout with 26 volunteers.  A big thank you to local office of the Burns & McDonnell who came out with 16 volunteers!   The newly weeded and mulched gardens look fantastic.  

We also wish to extend a big thank you to the Burns & McDonnell Foundation Fund for a generous grant to the Friends of Indian River to support our continued efforts to improve the quality of life for all the residents of our community.

Volunteers needed for gardening

We will 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.

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

 In this Edition

• Upcoming Events
• Saturday, April 12: Indian River Park Hike
• Saturday, April 26: Earth Day Gardening and Cleanup
• News
• Chesapeake City Budget
• March Recap

Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 12, 2025: Indian River Park Hike

• 
  CANCELLED
• Spring has sprung and we should find quite a few wildflowers blooming in 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.

Saturday, April 26, 2025:  Earth Day Gardening and Cleanup

• 
  From 9 AM to Noon
• Meet at Lilac Avenue and Indian River Road. Park along Lilac Avenue by the Norfolk Highlands Primary School.
• To recognize Earth Day this year, 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 and under the bridge, and working to remove some invasive English Ivy.  
• 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/egnsLV8Hwahi3nRM7 (suggested but not required)

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News

Chesapeake City Budget

The City Manager released the proposed City Capital Improvement Budget and we were please to find several new items that are positive for the Indian River area:

• (NEW) 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, adopted by City Council on December 21, 2021. Financial Summary: $150,000 per year for next 5 years 
• (NEW) 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.  Financial Summary: $4,125,000 in 2026, VDOT Reimbursement.
• Per Highway Safety Improvement Program - VDOT Smart Portal, these intersections include IR Road and Tatemstown, IR Road and Sparrow, Sparrow and Providence, Sparrow and Military Highway, Providence and Dunbarton (near Georgetown Primary), and Providence and Campostella, Border Rd and Campostella.  
• (New) 20-300 Urban Forestry & Tree Inventory Plan - This will include the development of an Urban Forest Master Plan, which will inform future decisions regarding the City's tree canopy.  Financial Summary: $500,000 in 2026
• (NEW) 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. This sign family will connect areas in the City to a cohesive Chesapeake identity while highlighting unique community features. - Financial Summary: $350,000 in 2026

The City Council will be taking action on the budget in May.  We will be in support of these and other previously approved funding efforts to implement the Indian River Planning Area Study and improve our community.   In conjunction with the pedestrian access improvements above, we'll continue to advocate for safety improvements along our area roads including a safe crossing at Blue Heron Landing Park.  

With the pending completion of the Indian River Design Guidelines in the coming months, we look forward to the City releasing funding for 16-290, Indian River Façade Improvement Grant, approved in last year's budget.   This competitive grant program can be another important tool to help support commercial revitalization along Indian River Road corridor.  Stay tuned for more information on this program when it becomes active.

March Recap

At our monthly meeting, we had an excellent presentation on the problem of Abandoned and Derelict Vessels on our waterways by Vince Bowhers, the Restoration Coordinator for LRNOW.  Are you a boat owner now or in the past?  Take this survey from LRNow to help understand the problem of abandoned boats and help find solutions!   Take the survey at http://www.boatsurvey.org/

We had a great turnout for our Great American Cleanup/Adopt-A-Road Cleanup in mid-March. We had 26 volunteers and worked along Indian River Road, under and around Oaklette Bridge, and cleaned up the shoreline of Blue
Heron Landing Park.  About 300 lbs. of litter was removed so that it won't become marine debris in our river and the Bay.  A big thanks to all our volunteers including wonderful group representing the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority!  

Thank you to the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council - CEIC for organizing a Great American Cleanup at the Indian River Civic Campus between the Library, Community Center, and High School during the last weekend of March.  Volunteers removed several hundred pounds of trash and debris. 

Parks, Recreation, and Tourism held three more volunteer Weed Warrior sessions at Indian River Park in March to remove invasive Linden Viburnum, Japanese Privet, Multifloral Rose, and English Ivy.  The crew made a big dent in the problem, but there is a lot more to do.

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

View this newsletter online at http://www.friendsofindianriver.org/ 

• Upcoming Events
• Saturday, March 15: Indian River Park Hike
• Thursday, March 20: Monthly Meeting - Abandoned and Derelict Vessel (ADV) program
• Saturday, March 22: Adopt-A-Road Cleanup along Indian River Road
• Weed Warrior Wednesday @ Indian River Park, March 5 and 12
• News
• Indian River Design Guidelines
• February Recap
• Spring Membership Drive

Upcoming Events

Saturday, March 15, 2025: Indian River Park Hike

• 
  8:30 am to 10:30 am
• Location: Indian River Park entrance
  at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.) which is located just south of Military Highway, i.e. across Military Highway from the Fire Station.
• 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/2UDkv6RHqmBULQpj6 (suggested but not required)

Thursday, March 20, 2025: Monthly Meeting - Abandoned and Derelict Vessel (ADV) program

• 
  7 pm to 8:30 pm
• Location: Oaklette United Methodist Church, 520 Oaklette Drive
• Our guest speaker will be Vince Bowhers, the Restoration Coordinator for Lynnhaven River NOW who will talk to us about the Abandoned and Derelict Vessel (ADV) program.  This effort funded through a NOAA grant is working to remove 100 ADVs from coastal Virginia waterways and to create a statewide program to prevent ADVs.   We will also have a short business meeting.  
• All are welcome.  We'll also have the latest community news and updates!  There will be light refreshments for the meeting.  

Saturday, March 22, 2025:  Adopt-A-Road Cleanup along Indian River Road

• 
  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.
• It is the Great American Cleanup and we need your help. Join us for a few hours to clean up the mile of Indian River Road from the city limits at Wingfield Avenue all the way to MacDonald 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 cleanup 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.  Participants under 18 years of age must have adult supervision.
• Please pre-register at https://forms.gle/J6t7F6YPEezg5pYf7 (suggested but not required)

Weed Warrior Wednesdays, March 5 and March 12 

• 
  From 1 pm to 3 pm each Wednesday  
• Location: Indian River Park entrance at Rokeby Ave. and Main St. (2003 Rokeby Ave.) which is located just south of Military Highway, i.e. across Military Highway from the Fire Station.
• We are teaming up with Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) to do Weed Warrior Wednesday at Indian River Park, weather allowing,  Two more Wednesday have been added in March, Our focus will be to deal with invasive Linden Viburnum and Chinese Privet infesting the park. Please come out to help for one or more of these dates if you are available.  PRT will provide hand tools to those who sign up, but please bring your own loppers or pruning saws if you’d prefer. 
• Please wear closed-toe shoes, long pants, a hat and bring work gloves and bring water in reusable container.  
• Team size for these events will be limited, so please sign up at the PRT Sign-Up Genius at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040c4aacae2eaaf58-fall#/

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News

Indian River Design Guidelines

The draft Indian River Design Guidelines document is scheduled to go to the Chesapeake Planning Commission on March 12 - Meeting Agendas & Videos | Chesapeake, VA.  

Our group thoroughly reviewed and commented on the draft and support the revisions that will be presented at the meeting.  The document is an important next step in advancing the commercial revitalization goals in the Indian River Small Area Plan.   It does a good job of describing the qualities, deficiencies, and redevelopment objectives of the commercial corridors in our community.  Public input for developing the guidelines highlights the recurring themes of better pedestrian and bicycle safety, enhanced landscaping and green space, and encouraging new destination-style businesses such as coffee shops, eateries, and a grocery store.  

Overall, our group found the document's contents to be very positive and, especially for the Indian River Road corridor, our communities "Main Street", describe a path to transforming the community to a more pedestrian-friendly shopping street with landscaping, trees for shade, and sidewalks.  The Guidelines support efforts to implement urgently needed pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements along Indian River Road and Military Highway. We appreciate that the plan adopts Dark Sky and Bird Safe lighting and window standards. 

We thank the Planning Department and the consultant team for their diligent work on these guidelines and their strong emphasis on getting community input.   

February Recap

Winter found us in February and disrupted our event schedule somewhat.  We had to cancel our February Invasive Species Workshop due to the snow but Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) was able to hold two Weed Warrior Wednesdays in which we made a big dent in the population of invasive Linden Virburnum.  They have two more Wednesdays scheduled in March. The Virginian Pilot did a story on the effort - Weed Warriors help control invasive plants in Chesapeake parks – The Virginian-Pilot

We did hold our hike for the Great Backyard Bird Count hike around the civic campus between the Indian River Community Center and the High School in mid-February.   We spotted some 21 species with some of the less common sighting including Northern Shovelers, Gadwalls, and Ruddy Ducks.  

Our president, Rogard Ross, also attended the February 25 City Council meeting to keep the focus on implementing pedestrian and bicycle safety improvement along Indian River Road, particularly with the approach of warmer weather which will increase use of the new Blue Heron Landing Park.  VDOT's Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Action Plan (PBSAP) identifies Indian River Road in Chesapeake as one of the Top 1% statewide roadway segments in priority to review for safety projects and other planning needs.  It was noteworthy that two other speakers at the meeting raised similar safety concerns for around Cedar Road and Greenbrier Parkway.  

Spring Membership Drive

It's time for our annual spring membership drive.  The Friends of Indian River are 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 $1800; we are currently at $1233.  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.