LBR Report: May 15-17

This was the first busy weekend  for this season. Total of 457 launches over the weekend. 

Friday, May 15 – 62 total launches, car parking did not fill up there was available  parking throughout the day. The overflow lot was not used. We did not have to close  using the barricades at any time. 

Saturday, May 16 – 204 total launches, car parking did fill up around 12:20pm so there  was sporadic parking until about 5pm. The overflow lot was used  but was limited due to the condition of that area due to the sand  haul project. We were able to get about 30 cars (normally we can  fit around 50) We did have to close the facility at Piedmont Circle  because trailer parking was full. Barricade operations were carried  out from 12:10pm- 4pm. All signs were placed in neighborhood  per protocol. 

Sunday, May 17 – 191 total launches, car parking was full around 11:00am with  sporadic availability the remainder of the day. The overflow was  used again for about 30 vehicles with trailers. We did have to close  the facility at Piedmont Circle because trailer parking was full.  Barricade operations were carried out from 12:00pm- 4pm. All  signs were placed in neighborhood per protocol. 

Incidents to report: 

Reviewed camera footage from the weekend and we had a normal weekend nights mixed with  fisherman and beach goers.  During barricade operations on Sunday, May 17, staff encountered a few citizens with truck and  trailer that were unhappy with the full parking and subsequent facility closure. Staff explained  our protocol and asked the citizens to move on and vacate the area until the facility re-opened.  They did not heed staffs’ instructions and waited in the neighborhood. Police arrived on scene  and re-affirmed staffs’ information, and the citizens then left the neighborhood. Garda World security reported that at 12:05am on Sunday morning there was a verbal  altercation between a group on a boat and a nearby resident regarding the speed the boater returned in Crab Creek. Security was able to de-escalate both persons and police came on scene  and spoke to the boaters. 

Notes: 

PW/Coastal has informed me that from Friday May 22-Monday May 25 the sand haul contractor  will not be working. Due to the holiday weekend. 

Parking Enforcement: 

Enforcement runs from May 1- October 31.  Date Range: Friday, May 15 to Monday, May 18, 2026 

Total Citation Count: 51 

Total Read Count: 459 (this is the number of vehicles scanned during enforcement visits) 

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Shore Drive Condo (Marlin Bay) Project

Update: Proposed Condominium Project on Shore Drive

Statement from the Ocean Park Civic League
As the proposed 52-unit McLeskey condominium project on Shore Drive moves through the City of Virginia Beach’s approval process, including Planning Department review, Planning Commission consideration, and a final City Council vote, the Ocean Park Civic League has not reached a clear consensus. Resident sentiment is considerably mixed, and we respect the sincerity in each position.


The project — which also includes a small commercial component and requires a rezoning that would increase allowable density from 4.25 to nearly 24 units per acre — raises several concerns we believe warrant close attention. We also recognize that some residents see potential value in new housing inventory and added investment along the corridor, and we take that perspective seriously as well.

  • Scale, Density, and Height: We’re closely watching how a nearly 62-foot building fits along this section of Shore Drive- Ocean Park. The developers have taken community input into consideration as this plan for the building is stepped down to 34 ft (three stories) adjacent to the townhouses behind it. Beyond those neighbors, we’re also considering how this structure changes the view and feel of Shore Drive and the adjacent Pleasure House Point Natural Area — affecting everyone who lives, walks, or drives through this stretch of the corridor.
  • Neighborhood Character and Alignment: Does this project reflect who Ocean Park is — a historic coastal community with a distinct identity — and does it align with Virginia Beach’s own long-term vision for the Shore Drive Corridor? We think that’s a fair and necessary question.
  • Traffic and Parking: Getting in and out of this site safely on Shore Drive is one concern. We are equally focused on what happens to on-street parking along Marlin Bay Drive. There is a real trade-off: limiting building height can reduce space for ground-level parking beneath the structure, pushing resident and guest vehicles onto already tight neighborhood streets. We want a design that solves the parking problem without worsening the height issue.
  • Stormwater Management: Every new Bayfront development must demonstrate it will not worsen flooding, runoff, or drainage for surrounding properties. This corridor is already vulnerable, and that must be part of the conversation.
  • Protection of Pleasurehouse Point Natural Area: Adding 52 residential units next to this natural preserve will bring more people and pets. Off-leash dogs and inadequate waste disposal already pressure the area’s wildlife habitat, nesting grounds, and trails. Many new residents living steps away could accelerate damage to a resource the whole community treasures.

We encourage all residents — whether supportive or skeptical — to stay engaged and make their voice heard.
The project is expected to come before the Virginia Beach Planning Commission on June 10, where it will receive a formal recommendation before advancing to City Council for the final decision, likely later this summer. There are two straightforward ways to make your voice heard now:

Everyone who would like to express concerns or support of the project is encouraged to write a letter to the Planning Commission (PlanningCommissioners@vbgov.com) and/ or speak at the June 10  meeting (details below). Another opportunity will come when the project is considered by the City Council. Your input is welcome and important.

Your input matters at this stage. The OPCL will continue to share updates as the process moves forward.

Shore Drive Condo Project ( Marlin Bay)

Shore Dr Condos – Bayfront Advisory Commission – 2026-02-19Download
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Coastal Storm Risk Management: USACE Recommends Lynnhaven Inlet Surge Barrier

Link to full presentation here

US Army Corp of Engineers has engaged in a long range study of the feasibility of managing the storm risks associated with sea level rise in our area with any actual steps being fairly far in the future. Of the many possible projects under study, the Lynnhaven Surge Barrier has been identified by the USACE as the Early Actionable Element. Much more information to come and wider public engagement has been promised.

Listen to the presentation here.

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⛱️Beach Season Reminders: Limits for 🌊 🦮Dogs and 🏁 🙈Golf Carts

From 6:00 pm on Friday of the Memorial Day Weekend until 6:00 pm on Labor Day dogs are allowed on the beach only before 10:00 am and after 6:00 pm. According to Beach Rules Virginia Beach Gov.com : “Dogs can be off leash on the beach so long as they are firmly under their caretaker’s control so as not to disturb other people or dogs”.

Some reminders about “golf carts” in our community. Although some communities in the area are designated golf cart communities, Ocean Park is not a designated or approved golf cart community. Because of this, to drive lawfully on the streets of Ocean Park golf carts must be street-legal electric vehicles as defined by state and city law. This means they must meet all the vehicular requirements, be titled, registered with low-speed license plates from DMV and covered by minimum insurance requirements. They may only be operated by drivers with a valid license or learner’s permit and the driver must follow all the same rules of the road as a normal vehicle. (Virginia Beach Codes of Ordinance: Sec. 7: 65-68 ).

Golf carts are NOT allowed on the beach (no motorized vehicles). The exception to this rule is for handicapped persons with a mobility disability.  If the individual with a mobility disability requiring the use of a golf cart is asked, he or she would need to provide some type of “credible assurance.” An example of credible assurance could be a verbal statement that the golf cart is used for a mobile disability or the cart has a state-issued disability parking placard issued to it not transferred from another vehicle.

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⚓️ LBR Staff and Security Hours for the 2026 Season

Mike Parkman, Parks and Recreation Supervisor, Park Events, Programs, and Special Use shared the hours for Parks and Rec Staff and the additional security at the LBR for this season:

Staff hours this summer:
May 2 – May 22                      5:30am – 8:30pm (Current)
May 23 – Sept 4                      5:30am -9:00pm

Security staff:
8:00pm – 2:00am 7 days a week 

“In addition to our specific on our assigned security guard, there is an additional security guard that checks city facilities Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 11:00pm and 7am. The Lynnhaven Boat Ramp is included on the list of facilities that they visit.”

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⚓️ Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Report: May 1- May 3

“This is the weekly report for the weekend of May 1-3, 2026. Weather was cloudy most of the weekend. Windy Saturday and Sunday. Small craft advisory on Sunday. Total of 80 launches over the weekend.

Friday, May 1 –        43 total launches, car parking did not fill up there was available parking throughout the day. The overflow lot was not used. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Saturday, May 2 –    15 total launches, car parking did not fill up there was available parking throughout the day. The overflow lot was not used. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Sunday, May 3 –       22 total launches, car parking was not full. The overflow was not used. Barricade operations were not needed. Small craft advisory, temperatures, and wind created a poor day for the beach and boating.

Incidents to report:

Reviewed camera footage from the weekend and there were no issues to report this weekend. Police have been providing lots of support with drive throughs and stationary observation throughout the weekends.

Notes:

CLEAN THE BAY DAY was held on Saturday May 2, 2026. We had a group of about 30 volunteers assigned to the boat ramp and beach area. Congresswoman Jenn Kiggins was among the group.

Parking Enforcement:

This was the first weekend of parking enforcement for the season. Enforcement runs from May 1- October 31.

Date Range: Friday, May 1 to Monday, May 4, 2026

Location: Lynnhaven Boat Ramp

Total Citation Count: 35

Total Read Count: 158 (this is the number of vehicles scanned during enforcement visits)“

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⚓️ Lynnhaven Boat Ramp Report: April 24-26

Small craft advisory and colder temperatures appeared to be a deterrent. Total of 200 launches over the weekend.

Friday, April 24 –        84 total launches, car parking did not fill up there was available parking throughout the day. The overflow lot was not used. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Saturday, April 25 –    112 total launches, car parking did fill by 11:30am.  Barricade operations were not implemented. The overflow lot was not used. We did not have to close using the barricades at any time.

Sunday, April 26 –       4 total launches, car parking was not full. The overflow was not used. Barricade operations were not needed. Small craft advisory, temperatures, and wind created a poor day for the beach and boating.

Incidents to report:

Sunday April 26 – Around 7pm, there was around 25-35 people on the beach playing music that was audible from the office. Due to a light rain, they were all directly under the bridge. Staff approached two people in the group that had parked in the trailer lot around 7:40pm and asked them to park in the car lot and staff described the two people as respectful and polite. They weren’t causing any issues for staff or patrons and were receptive to staff telling them to stay out of the trailer lot and to let their buddies know. Staff saw the group under the bridge and said they didn’t see anything that required any notification to Supervisor or police.  A citizen that was walking her dog approached staff and inquired about the gathering shortly after but wasn’t complaining, seemed more intrigued than anything. Staff had zero problems from the group and communicated with security guard when the shift change occurred. No reports from the security guard that any issues arose that evening. After reviewing the camera footage on Monday morning, it appeared the crowd may have grown to about 35-40 and there were some speakers visible in the footage. The beach was clear by about 830pm.

New staff hours beginning this weekend for the remainder of summer:

May 2 – May 22                      5:30am – 8:30pm

May 23 – Sept 4                      5:30am –9:00pm

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Pleasure House Point Rules: No Off Leash Dogs or Motorized Vehicles (bikes)!

Turtles are active! They are coming out of brumating in the mud (like hibernation). Dogs can harm the turtles. That is one reason it’s especially important at this time of year that folks follow the rules and keep their dogs on leash at Pleasure House Point. We love our beautiful Pleasure House Point Natural Area. People love it. Our pets love it. Wildlife loves it. Please follow the rules and keep dogs on a leash at all times. Some people mistakenly believe that dogs may be off leash in PHP if they are under the voice control of their owner which is currently the law on the beach. NOT at PHP. Dogs must be leashed all the time in the Natural Area, And of course clean up their waste!

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