Come fall weather, people start to shy away from  outdoor adventures and begin to hibernate until the 70-degree weather returns. What is often neglected in winter is the variety of parks and trails that the city of Virginia Beach has to offer.

“My dog loves to be outside, so anytime the weather is nice and he is desperate for exercise, we will go to the park and throw the ball or go to the trails and run around,” said teacher Tasha Hurst, who utilizes many of the parks in Virginia Beach as an ambassador for J&A Racing. 

Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation reserves over 4000 acres of land to hold 210 parks across the city, with standouts including False Cape State Park, First Landing State Park, and Munden Point Park.

“I think there’s something to be said [about the parks] for the fresh air and the sunshine that goes along with being outdoors,” said Hurst, who makes frequent nature outings.

False Cape State Park homes one of the last remaining undeveloped areas off of the east coast. To secure the primitive nature of the area, the park is only accessible by foot, bicycle, beach transport, tram or boat with availability from dusk until dawn. The park consists of multiple trails and community events in order to promote outdoor involvement which includes kayak trips, haunted night hikes, owl watching, tram tours, and cleanups. In addition, False Cape is home to five trails that total 15.3 miles of scenery and challenge.

“[My favorite trail] is half, an unmarked trail and then the other half is White Oak Trail and Longcreek. Both of those I love, it’s a big five or six-mile loop that I always [run],” said Hurst.

Neighboring the Oceanfront, First Landing State Park brings quiet nature to the heavily tourist-driven environment. Off of 64th Street, the park is commemorated to the English colonists first landed in 1607. The park is highlighted by 20 miles of trails, bay beach area, and historic reserve; open 8 a.m. through dusk. Events are operating to increase park participation among locals and visitors including educational outreach and self-guided tours.

Hidden in the depths of Pungo, Munden Point Park runs along the North Landing River to supply 100 acres of outdoor recreation. Providing easy access to the Intercoastal Waterway, the park maintains an active kayak and canoe area. Other ways to involve in the area are through the use of bike trails, boat ramps, ball fields, and volleyball and basketball courts. The greenery, as well, provides for an escape from suburbia on the outskirts of the city.

Virginia Beach, while a tourist city, is no stranger to the importance of nature outings and involvement, displayed through the variety of parks placed in various parts of the area. With fall in full effect, now is the perfect time to take full advantage of the opportunities in place.

“Summer, it’s hot and there are a lot of bugs, so fall is probably my favorite [season to be outdoors] because the weather starts to get a little bit cool, the bugs go away, and the trails are so beautiful,” said Hurst.