FRIENDS OF BELLE ISLE STATE PARK

The Friends of Belle Isle and the sponsors of Music by the River have provided Belle Isle with a new water bottle filler. Just about everyone carries a water bottle – they are a little hard to fill from a faucet or drinking fountain. Enter the water bottle filler. It’s a specially designed faucet just for filling bottles. Belle Isle has a new one just outside the restrooms at the family picnic area, near the beach and the stage for Music by the River. The new filler also has a foot wash for folks to use coming from the beach to the restrooms or their cars. The filler replaces a drinking fountain damaged in a run-in with a mower.

Do you want to get outside and learn a new skill but need help getting started? Look no further than the Virginia State Parks’ Let’s Go Adventures program.

Let’s Go Adventures features a series of programs at various parks led by expert rangers on camping, kayaking, hiking, fly fishing, orienteering and archery.

When you attend a class, you’ll learn about the basics of the activity, including selecting the proper equipment and how to use it, Leave No Trace Principles, park etiquette and safety guidelines.

Let’s Go Adventures programs are held year-round, giving you the chance to explore different parks and landscapes across Virginia You can check out the 2024 schedule, learn more about the programs and meet instructors at the Virginia Parks site – click HERE.

Get out, enjoy the fresh air, and learn. 2024 monthly walks will be from 9 to 11 am on the second Thursday. Walks are led by park volunteers and members of the Northern Neck Master Naturalists.

Feb. 8 – Naked Trees

Mar. 14 – Frogs, Salamanders, Turtles – the importance of Belle Isle’s wetlands

Apr. 11 – Spring Unfolding – Orchids, Blueberries & More

May 9 – Bird Migration

June 13 – Life in and along the Rappahannock – Signs, Scats & Tracks

July 11 – Summer Pollinators & Native Plants

Aug. 8 – Nature Photos – Tips & Tricks

Sept. 12 – Fall Migration – Birds, Butterflies & Dragonflies

Oct. 10 – Fall Flowers & Butterflies

Nov. 14 – The Decomposers – Fungi & Lichens

Dec. 12 – Nature in Winter – More Alive Than You Think

Walks will be no more than 2 miles round trip but may be off trail at times. Please wear appropriate footwear. Group size is limited and pre-registration is requested. Call 804-462-5030. Parking fee is $5, meet at the Camp Store.

January 1 at the park was mild and sunny – great for both hikes to kick off 2024. Lots of hikers – both two and four legged – were on hand to make sure the new year was welcomed enthusiastically to the Northern Neck. Cookies, cider, and chats with friends, both old and new, around a campfire were the perfect ending. Come to the park often and have a wonderful 2024 – there is always lots going on!

Put January 1, 2025 at Belle Isle on your calendars now.

Our treasured Park Manager, Katherine “Katie” Shepard has taken a new position with Virginia State Parks as the Chief of Education and Interpretation. Katie will give leadership to programs designed to provide visitors with meaningful and engaging experiences that deepen their understanding and appreciation of the natural, cultural, and historic world. A big job – our Katie can do it!

Katie came to Belle Isle in 2013 as Chief Ranger and in 2019 was appointed Park Manager. She has done a superb job shepherding (pun intended, sorry Katie) Belle Isle through some challenging times. The great displays she designed in the Visitor Center and her hard work in securing a huge National Park Service grant for Belle Isle Manor are just two examples of her excellence.

Our Friends group, and many others, have relied heavily on her guidance – she never seems to tire of going the extra mile. Needless to say, she will be much missed! But we are excited for her. Now all Virginia’s 41 parks will have the benefit of her energy and wisdom.

A large group of friends turned out on December 14th to wish Katie all the best.

GO KATIE!

As part of its Semiquincentennial Grant Program the National Park Service has awarded over $794,000 to aid in the rehabilitation of the Belle Isle Manor House. Our own Katie Shepard, Park Manager, played a huge role in securing the grant. Katie said, “We are excited to receive this significant grant from NPS to support the ongoing preservation of the Belle Isle Manor House. The awarded funds will go toward critical preservation needs including exterior woodwork and masonry repairs, which will ensure the historic resource is protected for generations to come.” 

You can learn more about Belle Isle Manor and how you can help on our “Restoration” page.

If you enjoy quiet time on our local waters, canoeing or kayaking at one of the nearby Virginia State Parks is for you! Belle Isle is part of the Wandering Waters program that can earn you nifty recognition for just doing what you enjoy – hard to beat. Check out this state park site to learn about the program – www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/paddle-quest. Then call Belle Isle to join an upcoming on-the-water program. There is a link in our sidebar to programs at Belle Isle. Come and enjoy the outdoors.

Belle Isle’s 30th anniversary party on April 22 got off to a fast start with the Rapp River Run, a return of the park’s 5K run/walk. The run had participants from age 11 to 86 and from as far away as Wisconsin. It was a beautiful day – the race was won by a 15 year old – two dogs helped their owners along – and everyone enjoyed cake at the finish. All finishers received the race cap.

Several other events during the day added to the anniversary celebration. This beautiful park on the Rappahannock River was born in 1993 and now welcomes over 47,000 visitors annually.

We are planning a second run this year in October as part of the Fall Festival. Check back for full information.

Put Saturday, October 7 on your calendar now.