FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– Join us in thanking VB Parks & Rec Lynnhaven Boat Ramp management & staff, P&R Director Kirschman, City Manager Duhaney & office, Councilman Schulman and VBPD 3rd Precinct led by Captain Gordon! We appreciate their listening to our concerns and taking these additional actions!

From Parks and Recreation:

“With the busy July 4th weekend upon us, Parks and Recreation, Va. Beach Police, and Emergency Management have partnered to add Garda World security personnel to the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp holiday operations. We will have an armed security guard with a marked SUV on-site from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Security personnel will be tasked with providing a presence in cooperation with the police department to address any potential security concerns over the weekend.”

“Additionally, on Sunday, July 6th, the VBPD will have its mobile command unit onsite for the Ocean Park & Bay Lake Pines fireworks display from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm.”

Neighbors,

We want to share some important information from 3rd Precinct Captain Gordon, VBPD:

“As we all are aware, on June 17, 2025, we had a small group of individuals remaining at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp when a disagreement occurred and a subject produced a firearm and fired several shots into the air.  All parties fled prior to police arrival; however, since then the Third Precinct Crime Suppression Squad (CSS) has been diligently following up.”

The Third Precinct has announced that yesterday, July 01, VBPD CSS and SWAT Units executed a search warrant in Virginia Beach resulting in the arrest of the individual involved and the recovery of a rifle believed to have been used in the incident at the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp on June 17th.

“The subject has now been arrested and charged with Firearm by Felon, Reckless Handling, and Discharging a Firearm in a Public Place. The suspect’s information will not be released at this time as the investigation is ongoing and there is a potential for additional charges unrelated to the events of June 17. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.”

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or mail a check to: Box 55385 Virginia Beach, VA 23471

FIREWORKS HISTORY AND WHY WE NEED DONATIONS from Jill Doczi:

“In the past, Shore Drive residents paid for, and shot off, individual fireworks along the beaches to celebrate the Fourth of July. The explosions occurred from dusk throughout the night during the days surrounding July 4. It consisted of MANY homegrown mini fireworks shows up and down the entire beach on both sides of the Lesner Inlet, each trying to outperform the others. While spectacular to watch, it was also unregulated and unsafe, resulting in injuries, fires and trash.”

“About a decade ago, the Virginia Beach fire marshal launched an effort to stop nonprofessional Independence Day fireworks. It succeeded with heavy patrolling, enforcement and penalties — ending personal fireworks on our beaches that year. The following year, Ocean Park Civic League pulled together a beach show using a pyrotechnic company. This ended heavy patrolling on the holiday. After a few years, changes in permit and safety requirements meant the show had to become a barge show. To offset the cost of fuel and barge rental, the other bayfront civic leagues joined forces rather than see Shore Drive fireworks on the Fourth end. A more central location was chosen with Coast Guard approval.”

“Please know that you support our community fireworks celebration through donations to the show. Active participation in your community provides events like these for you, your friends and family to enjoy. Thank you for your support.”

Organizing communities: Baylake Pines and Ocean Park (including Pelican Dunes, Chesapeake House, Bay Vista, 3556 on the Bay, Aeries on the Bay, Water Oaks tand Three Ships Landing). Additional communities like CXB help through donations and we thank them for their support.

The show occurs on a barge in the bay, centrally located between the borders of Baylake Pines and Ocean Park, and the viewing area is all along the bay. This spectacular show is arranged with personal donations only. No money comes from general civic league funds or the city. No amount is too small (or too large), but the average household amount is $25-$100 per household. If we don’t raise the money, we don’t have a show.”

To receive updates make sure you email communication@opcl.org.
Additional information on the OPCL website at www.opcl.org

Secure credit card through Cheddar Up or PayPal:

PayPal:

Cheddar Up:

Check: “OPCL Fireworks” and mail to:
OPCL, Fireworks
P.O. Box 55385

Costs have gone up and will continue to go up with all the bridge construction and tariffs. Your donation is appreciated!

The Capital Improvement Project is getting underway on the east side of Shore Drive. Similar improvements are planned for the western side of Shore Drive in Ocean Park from the Lesner Bridge to Marlin Bay Drive. Here is the Draft Engineering Report that shows what those will look like, although it will be a long time before they happen.

In the meantime, Pedestrian Improvements to Shore Drive in Ocean Park should get underway this fall. Some work is starting where it can go forward.

Report from Mike Parkman, Parks and Recreation Department on the activity last weekend at the boat ramp:

“Friday, June 20 –        210 total launches, car parking filled about 11:15am. The overflow was used for 20 vehicles with trailers.”

“Saturday, June 21–    218 total launches, car parking was full from 10:15 am until around 9:00pm. The overflow was used for 60 vehicles with trailers. Trailer parking was full by 9:10am and the facility was closed at that time. Non-emergency was notified of closure around 9:45am per procedure. Barricades and staff were out until 4pm and vehicles with trailers and cars were allowed to enter as spots opened up.”

“Sunday, June 22–         225 total launches, car parking was full from 10:00am-9:00pm. The overflow was used for 42 vehicles with trailers.”

“Overall, the weekend was very busy. Staff did a great job with traffic flow in and out of the facility. Saturday staff did close the facility with barricades at Piedmont Circle per procedure. Saturday had a much larger influx of use early in the morning and that is why the closure was necessary. Friday and Sunday the use was spread throughout the day and a closure was not needed. There were also a lot of beach goers.”

We had three incidents to report:

“Saturday after the closure was initiated and all signage was deployed(around 9:10am), including the drop-down full signs on Shore Drive,  a truck with trailer turned from Shore Drive and discovered the boat ramp was full. Staff told him we were full continue straight down East Stratford Rd. The boater did not listen and turned left at the Tazwell triangle to make a U-turn. Staff hollered “don’t go the way!”, during that turn the boater snagged a power/cable line with his cobia tower. Police were called and responded. They helped him get backed up and back out onto shore drive. We later discovered that the boater was riding around with his cobia tower in the up position. The police made him lower it before he left the scene.”

“Sunday at approximately 12:45pm, we had a young man came to the office and fainted in front of the door. Staff called 911 and found the young man’s parent. EMS responded and transported him to the hospital.”

“Sunday at about 4:45pm we had a witness come to the office and report that a vehicle with trailer was parking and hit another trailer causing damage. Staff created an incident report and tried to locate the owner of the vehicle that was hit.”

“Review of video data from Friday until Monday morning showed a lot of cars after hours until after midnight each night.”

“Parking Enforcement – Still waiting on this week’s numbers but will send as soon as possible.”

“The temporary wayfinding signage was deployed for the first time and overall was a success. Staff indicated that on Sunday when they were out picking the signs up that a few walkers acknowledged the signs and thanked the staff.” .

Residents weigh in:

“The boat ramp filled early on Saturday, and from that point on, our residential streets saw a steady flow of overflow traffic. Many drivers ignored the signage, there were backups at E Stratford and Dinwiddie, and congestion even spilled onto Shore Drive. Other areas of the neighborhood reported boaters navigating back toward the ramp, adding to the confusion. Safety concerns persisted throughout the day — including illegally parked cars — and while officers did their best to respond, they were handling multiple issues and couldn’t always be present when needed.”

If you live in Ocean Park become a member of the civic league today! What’s in it for you? Great social events (Fall Fest is around the corner, Spring Fling was awesome both free to members plus Easter Egg Hunt, Chili Cook Off, Fireworks of course, Movie Night on the Beach, etc etc).

OPCL is an important voice for the community, please support your neighborhood!

Scheduling note: Several upcoming Board of Directors Meetings are rescheduled to avoid holidays. Go to Events for the latest!

At the May Ocean Park Civic League Meeting, Bill Purcell ,COVB Public Works Project Manager, presented details about the major Capital Improvement Project which is beginning now for the eastern portion of Shore Drive. There will be delays and disruption as this work is done. Some of the project plans have changed. For example there will not be a pump station at Page Ave. As construction is getting underway, here is a reminder of the scope and plans:

Similar Improvements for the west side of Shore Drive remain underfunded and will not happen for a long time. Pedestrian Improvements for Ocean Park are projected to start construction in the fall.