FRIENDS OF BELLE ISLE STATE PARK

Our new president, Charles Blake and his wife enjoyed the 2026 VAFP conference. Greatly shortened due to space limitations, here is his report.

Marva and I had a marvelous time at this year’s Virginia Association for Parks Annual Conference (VAFP), which was held April 23rd through April 26th at Fairy Stone State Park near the Blue Ridge Parkway. …

The environs of Fairy Stone, like our own area, are historic. Fairy Stone was the site of an iron mining town of 2,500 people circa 1850 – 1900. It provided the iron the Confederacy used in its iron-sided battle ships. Enslaved Africans worked in the mines, and some of their descendants still live in the area….

VAPF’s mission is to lobby government, support Friend’s Groups, and be part of a broader environmental coalition. https://www.virginiaparks.org/about … [A few] things I became aware of at the conference:

One of VAFP’s primary efforts is lobbying. Veterans enjoying lowered/free entry to parks is a specific bill VAFP is promoting. VAFP favors free entry for everyone, but this would be expensive. Funding for Parks is a constant issue!

A $7 admission fee [$5. at Belle Isle] is a barrier to entry for economically disadvantaged people. The lack of transportation to parks is perhaps an even greater impediment! In my opinion this is a human rights issue. FOBI [Friends of Belle Isle] should investigate funding and staffing programs to dismantle economic class barriers to Belle Isle.

The Director of DCR Nikki Rovner spoke to us on Saturday 4/25. She is new to her position, being appointed by our new governor Abigail Spanberger. …

Ms. Rovner suggested Friends Groups can help her succeed by studying issues that effect us, and letting government officials in all branches and levels know our interests and concerns. We should get to know our officials by inviting them to the park! A cookout with our members, and our representatives would be a mutually beneficial educational experience I fully endorse! …

Thanks for sending us to the 2026 VAFP Annual Conference! I recommend we invest in broader FOBI participation in next year’s conference!!! Charles.

“Belle Isle State Park is preserving its rich natural and cultural landscape, from tidal wetlands and oyster reefs to the 1767 plantation house now undergoing restoration through a National Park Service grant. The project highlights the stories of the land and the people — enslaved, indentured and free — who shaped it, while ongoing conservation efforts protect the ecosystems that define the park’s beauty and history.”

This is a great article posted on the VA State Park blog by Sofia J. Wesley. To read more click here – READ MORE

Wherever you are going, we are always happy to have you detour to Belle Isle State Park. The rewards of spending time hiking or camping along the Rappahannock River just can’t be beat.

Beginning early March you may have an unexpected detour. River Road, Rte. 354, will be closed just south of the park requiring a short drive-around.

If you are headed north to the park on River Road from south of St Mary’s (Rte. 201), you will need to take Nuttsville Road (Rte.618) to Morattico Road (Rte 622), turn back to River Road and then left to Belle Isle Road.

If you are headed north to the park on Mary Ball Road (Rte.3) from Kilmarnock, pass through Lively and turn left on Morattico Road. Drive to River Road (about 3 miles) and turn left to Belle Isle.

If you are traveling south to the park from Warsaw and beyond, you will not need to detour.

Please detour to see us this summer!

Get out, enjoy the park, and learn. Walks are led by park volunteers and members of the Northern Neck Master Naturalists. These monthly walks are on the 2nd Thursday from 9 – 11 a.m. Hikes are no more than 2 miles round trip but may go off trail. Please wear closed-toe shoes.

Group size is limited and registration is requested – call 804-462-5030. Parking fee $5. Meet at the Camp Store.

Feb 12 – Naked Tree Walk

Mar 12 – The Fauna and Value of Temporary Wetlands

Apr 9 – Flora & Fauna Springing Forth

May 14 – The Magic of Spring Bird Migration

June 11 – Walk on the Wildcrafting Side: Medicinal Uses of Local Plants

July 9 – Nature Photo Walk – Tips & Tricks

Aug 13 – Summer Flora and Fauna

Sept 10 – Fall Migration of Birds, Butterflies, & Dragonflies

Oct 8 – The Decomposers – Fungi & Lichens

Nov 12 – Plants & Animals Closing Up for the Winter

Dec 10 – What Life is Alive & Well in Winter

For those who haven’t been out to the wildlife viewing station on Porpoise Creek lately, you need to take a look at the waterfowl ID poster that park staff installed. There is a lot of info about the waterfowl you will see on the Creek.

I love to go out to the station, not only to enjoy nature, but also to enjoy you enjoying nature. It is fun to read your comments – a few:

DR & JB 10/02   “Beautiful!  Snails, cormorants. Very high tide.”

A, S, & K   10/05   “Sunny, warm 75? (This) Book is a cute idea.”

MF   10/09   “clear & cool. Lovely spot! Thanks.”

BR 10/19   “Windy, but clear 57  Beautiful. Always grateful to be at the State parks.”

CV 10/21   “Windy, sunny 64   Seagulls, snails   Beautiful views. Reminds me of days on the boat just riding around with my dad in this great county.”

DB  11/14  “Clear, cool, slight breeze. No waterfowl observed; eastern bluebirds in abundance. This is such a great idea!”

LT  12/07   “Hazy; 38  2 bald Eagles perched.  Great new blind!”

M & SL  01/01/26   “Canada geese, seagulls. Beautiful!”

Please come and celebrate nature in gorgeous Belle Isle State Park.

Welcome 2026! Lots of Belle Isle friends celebrated on a bright, windy, cold (34F) January 1^st afternoon by hiking from the picnic area up the Porpoise Creek Trail trying to snap pictures before hands and cameras froze. Warm cider and cookies awaited all back at the shelter. A most enjoyable way to start the year of celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

To join the celebration, come out to the park any day!

On a beautiful, sunny, Halloween Eve day members of the Friends and park staff added over two dozen American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) shrubs to the area around Bel Air Manor. The planting was done primarily as “fencing” to protect the lawns from vehicular traffic, but the showy purple will provide great color late summer through early winter. Plus, the berries are great for birds and animals. Some new picket fencing will be added soon. The shrubs and fencing were purchased by the Friends with monies from an earlier landscaping grant from the Garden Club of Virginia – thanks GCV again.

There is lots to do at Belle Isle. Maybe even a stay at Bel Air. Please visit often.

The park is more beautiful than ever – if that’s possible!

Most everyone in the Northern Neck knows Robert “Bob” Mason from his work as editor of the Rappahannock Record and from his dedicated community service.

You probably didn’t know that Bob has been a zealous member of Friends of Belle Isle State Park for over twenty years. He has demonstrated outstanding and distinguished service to the organization, the park, and the community serving as the music director for the Friend’s Music by the River concert series since its inception. He has been a major fundraiser for the series and the organization. 

In recognition of his service and friendship, on October 6, 2025, the Friends conferred Life Membership upon Robert D. Mason Jr.

Thanks so much Bob!

Friends of Belle Isle is proud to be one of more than 40 local organizations across the River Counties region of Virginia that have been working to develop the Volunteer River Counties Hub to connect individuals, families, and other groups with volunteer opportunities, enhancing regional organizations’ ability to recruit volunteers. The Hub provides a coordinated approach to engaging the time and talents of residents in volunteer-based programs, helping residents and visitors alike access volunteer opportunities that interest them.

Learn more about VRC at www.volunteerrivercounties.org/

Our superb park photographer, Marty Hill, whose photo appears here, let me know that the Porpoise Creek logbook was full. April 2 I put in new pages and brought the 100 completed pages – just since September 2024 – home to enjoy.

“BEAUTIFUL” was the big word! We agree, it is a gorgeous spot in Belle Isle, and we enjoyed building it. Here are just a few of the comments.

GB 10/20 “Great idea thanks for the innovation.”

SS 10/22 “Lovely Spot! Cool idea to have this notebook. Suggest hanging a bird & fish identification map or poster.”  [Note: a waterfowl poster is on the way.]

JC 10/25  A “harrier flew over the gulls on the sandbar and scared them off. Thanks to the FOBI members who built this new viewing station!! It’s beautiful!”

TD 11/7 “Northern Flicker – Brown Creeper – Bald Eagle – Squirrels – Gray – Minnows”

N, A & Lola (dog) 11/16  “Sunny, lightly cloudy, crisp, clear views … Lovely spot to rest & enjoy the view! ♥”

K&C 11/21 “Beautiful site for a rest and enjoy the scenery”

M&C 3/7  “Beautiful view! Love being able to participate. Our dog loves it too.”

K&M 3/19  Need “Better traffic signs to various walking trails. Thank you for providing this beautiful area. Parks are important and so are park staff!”

And – as you can see from Matry’s riverside picture – the waterfowl on our creek have a beautiful view also.