Paradise Creek Nature Park

«They took all the trees
And put ‘em in a tree museum
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half to seem ‘em»
–«Big Yellow Taxi» by Joni Mitchell
Opened in June 2013, Paradise Creek Nature Park (PCNP) was created by the non-​profit Elizabeth River Project –with help from others– and is now a 40-​acre park with new tidal wetlands and a forest under revitalization. While the song written by Mitchell depicts a society that destroys nature, some people are trying to help. Once presumed dead, and one of the three most toxic rivers in the Chesapeake Bay, the Elizabeth River is now thriving and recently scored a «C» in 2014 (
).
When visitors immediately drive into the park, they see a beautiful, yet interesting sculpture. It was built «by Peruko Ccopacatty, a Peruvian artist who lived in Norfolk in the early 1980s, and it represented the history of the creek» (
). The history of the area that surrounds PCNP is full of industry – such as colonial and modern shipbuilding. They wanted a piece of art to represent the park, and found this particular artwork sitting at Peck Iron and Metal company. The owners donated the sculpture to the park.
Here are some info about PCNP:
*Over two miles of trails including a fitness trail and a butterfly garden trail
*Large parking lot
*Tree Field Guide for you to use while you’re there (
)
*Downloadable Field Guides for different seasons (
)
*Educational Programs such as Forestry Stewardship Corps (757−399−7487,
)
*No restrooms – just a port-​a-​potty
*Dogs (on leash) and bikes allowed (there are a couple of pet waste stations)
*Osprey Platform
*No fishing
*No smoking on the premises
*Enviva (a company that stores wood pellets and can be seen while in the park) donated hundreds of trees
I enjoy this park because of its solitude and the variety of songbirds and waterfowl. Phase II will include outdoor classrooms, kayak launch, playground, picnic pavilion and compost toilets, some of which are currently being built. I think once the second phase at PCNP will become a fantastic park. It warms my heart to see so many people, including businesses, creating this oasis in an urban setting.

This is a new park. It was established less than 2 years ago. I visited this park as a tourist with the Portsmouth Master Gardeners program. The new park ranger and volunteer staff escorted us around and told us the story of the park.
This park used to be a dumping ground. It was reclaimed by the city and resources federal local and state have been utilized to restore the wetlands and create a natural environment filled with plants and trees that are Native to Vitginia. It serves as a teaching tool for our public schools and Virginia citizens within the city of Portsmouth.
When you first arrived to the park it seems so small but as you walk around and observe the different habitats and plant collections you begin to notice the bat boxes attached to the trees, the little animals crawling on the forest floor and the wonderful walking trails and bridges that run throughout the park.
There is a unique bridge that actually covers the span of the restored wetlands. It is a magnificent view of the way our forefathers may have seen Virginia when they arrived.
I can’t wait to take my nieces and nephews and their friends to experience a real natural treasure. We owe it to our children to show them that it is possible and necessary to restore areas that were once damaged by pollution to their original state
Yay for Portsmouth for pushing for the park for its citizens and Hampton Roads

Nice and quiet place to walk the dog. Park was pretty small but clean. Distinct trails so no worries about getting lost. Two picnic tables near the entrance and plenty of parking. There isn’t much to look at in terms of scenery (but I’m no environmental scientist) although I thought the bridge was nice.

This is a great little natural area with 2 small trails. (one in the open and one that goes through a forested area and provides shade) It opened a few weeks ago (June 22, 2013) and is a great little space to walk your dog.
From the web site:
«Come on out and enjoy! The wildflowers are blooming and the new wetland and revitalized forest are looking gorgeous.
Open dawn to dusk year-​round. Dogs and bikes welcome.»