Virginia Beach City Council Moves to Buy Key Land and Protect Crab Creek Lots

A Milestone is Reached for Pleasure House Point

The Virginia Beach City Council on Tuesday voted to move forward on purchasing the Crab Creek lots at Pleasure House Point, a step that will shield the land from planned development and ensure that the area will be preserved for conservation and recreation.

The action will help protect a small set of parcels on the eastern end of Pleasure House Point near the public boat ramp—land that could have been developed into up to ten duplexes or five single-family homes.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and other partner organizations have worked for years to protect undeveloped parcels adjacent to the site from further development. The purchase is an important milestone in safeguarding one of our community’s most ecologically valuable natural areas.

Though modest in size, this parcel is a critical piece of the puzzle in protecting Pleasure House Point, serving as an eastern entrance to the park, providing neighborhood access where people can run or walk their pets, and preventing development from splintering the park and waterfront. The land is also near classroom space CBF uses for its Environmental Studies Program at the Brock Environmental Center, offering a prime opportunity for hands-on study. For many years, conservation organizations recognized the importance of this land and sought opportunities to preserve it.

The majority of Pleasure House Point was acquired and preserved in July 2012 as a collaborative effort between the Trust for Public Land, the City of Virginia Beach, and CBF.

There remains another area on Pleasure House Point still at risk of development, but Tuesday’s action will go a long way toward helping preserve a set of parcels on the eastern end of the site.

We congratulate Councilman Joash Schulman, the entire Virginia Beach City Council, and City staff on this achievement and thank them for their vision and dedication to protecting Virginia Beach’s natural resources for current residents and future generations.

CBF Hampton Roads Director Christy Everett issued the following statement:

“Moving forward on purchasing the Crab Creek lots will ensure that the local community will be able to access this beautiful habitat and recreational area for years to come.

“Though small, this parcel is critical to preserving the area’s integrity and preventing development along this treasured waterfront.

“The Chesapeake Bay Foundation thanks the Virginia Beach City Council for its leadership in moving to protect this vital land.”