Hello,



Your email regarding the incident at Grandview was forwarded to my attention. While the City of Hampton attempts to accommodate all types of recreational activities, in certain instances we have to examine the practice a little more closely. I have worked with Virginia State Parks and Hampton Parks for over 20 years and have dealt with a variety of situations involving natural areas. I have known the young lady who approached you at the beach for quite a few years and I can assure you that she has the best interest of the Nature Preserve in mind.



We have worked closely with the Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation to develop a Resource Management Plan for Grandview in order to properly protect one of the last remaining preserves for wildlife on the Chesapeake Bay. We are now in the process of having Grandview Nature Preserve designated as a State Natural Area, with much stricter rules on usage by the public. Compatible uses that are approved by the state are photography, walking, swimming, sunbathing, and wildlife observation.



Any disturbance to the shore birds or other wildlife in the area is considered incompatible. The only wheeled traffic allowed on the beach is for maintenance and enforcement. Not only does beach activity frighten away wildlife, wheeled vehicles on the hard-packed mean low tide area disturb and destroy northeastern beach tiger beetle habitats. This is an endangered species and is protected by law. Our staff is being educated more now on what is and is not allowed on the beach at Grandview. Bicycles are no longer allowed and signs will be posted to this effect with a bike stand near the beach entrance.



It is not only the wheels on your particular vehicle that is of concern. The presence of such a large kite will certainly frighten away shore birds and wildlife that visitors come to observe. Grandview is one of the last and the largest nesting sites for the Least Tern on the Atlantic coast. They are slowly being driven away by beach activities. The endangered Piping Plover used to flourish at Grandview, but has met the same fate. We are limiting activities in order to reverse these trends.



While we appreciate the fact that people need areas for recreational use, we have to consider our dwindling natural resources and preserve what areas that we have left for this purpose. We would welcome your support and understanding in this matter as we strive to protect our wildlife resources.



Christopher Hickman

Natural Resources Manager

City of Hampton Parks and Recreation

(757) 825-4606

THIS SUCKS!!!! Nuff said

Told you you should have shot her - just kidding......but then if you killed off all those endangered beetles then they wouldn't have any stupid crap to protect & then it'd be wide open ...ok just kidding again.

What about the eastern shore? 1 of my best friends lives up there (Locustville) Is that farther away than the Outer Banks? From what he describes a lot of those islands/shore areas are pretty undeveloped (so far) but I don't know what access is like.

WOAH baby WOAH baby. My turn to rant. I'm getting so sick and tired of this stupid natural this, organic that, save this creature no ones heard off. Screw it. I like how people refer to animals with more feelings than humans. Sure we all should not go out of our way to hurt living things but come on enough is enough. My take on it is simple you wanna make it great for the animals NO HUMANS whatsoever are permitted period in these area's NO EXCEPTION's. You wanna stop snowmobiling in yellowstone lets just shut the place down and no one can go in in any season. It sounds harsh but if you hear what these idiots are really saying is the quiet stiffs that tool around an look at birds want no one else around and make up some conservation BS. Same goes with Fish, wildlife, and parks. Yeah they're doing a mighty fine job at doing one thing collecting YOUR MONEY. They don't help conserve wildlife they make it worse by letting them multiply until there is so many a plague has to come through and wipe them out. What was the point of conserving in the first place?

Just cause they are sponsored by a government agency gives them the right to drive their trucks wherever but you have to walk not even ride a bicycle but walk.
Weldngod are you at a deadend or is there anything we can do to help? Is there any official laws? What are the consequences for breaking them? Do you have maps of the area? Is there anything just at the border that maybe public land but not state park. Is this a State Park?

He really put the kiss of death on you and stood up for his worker which is good for his job bad for you. This is a real problem not just kiting is faced with but all sports or at least the alternative ones.

Just the other week I saw this same thing in a paper out of missoula. Stating that paintballers are using a wildlife inhibited area and want to ban and enforce if anyone is caught playing there. I know almost nothing about paintball. The word paintball sounds like destructive paint being hurled at people in order to simulate combat. I'm not sure what the paint is but its almost gotta be biodegradable and water soluble. Whats the problem then? I don't know but the big bird watchers are flaming ticked and well for now its shut down.

Sierra club all these special intrest groups are destroying recreation destinations for their own personal benefit almost daily. Sierra club loves fighting dirtbikers for ok reasons but in my opinion the horses and people creating a trail is still impacting the earth so why not completly shut it down. If you liked riding your bike in freedom those days are over. Private land or designated trails that they still bitch about constantly. I can remember one time we were on a motorcycle only trail and approached a horseman and drove nicely and quietly and he was yelling flipping the bird and on an on we just hit the gas and waved. (we were courteous of course)

I know i'm all over the place and problably way out of line but its really disturbing to hear these stories over and over and we feel defeated and as if there is nothing we can do about it. Careful planning and beating them at their own game is the only way around it unfortunately. Let us know what we can do to help. I'm gonna try to do some research about this area you're talking about.

Well here is what I found so far. Virginia has nothing for rules this was from west virgina DNRC http://www.wvstateparks.com/regulations.htm
Going to this worthless site http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/faq.shtml the FAQ's looked to match West's rules

Looks like there could be a loop hole forming.
Keep your speed down.
don't annoy anyone or thing.
All crazy fun sports are permitted.
You're not using any motor vehicle of any kind.
Section b of 2.19 states that a bicycle is a two wheeled vehicle with pedals that is under human power. You don't have two wheels you have 3 on the buggy and 4 on the landboard. Also you're under mother natures power the wind.
If all else fails its a misdemeanor.

They're being nice hoping you'll go away I sure hope you can dig in and keep on kiting.




2.7.
Recreational activities including, but not limited to, rock climbing, rappelling, hang gliding, parachuting, parasailing, skydiving, spelunking and other like or similar recreational activities that require a high degree of specialized training and equipment are permitted, except where they are prohibited by posted signs. Persons who intend to participate in any of these activities shall register at the area superintendent's office before engaging or participating in them and specify where they will take place. Participants in these activities assume full responsibility and liability for any risk or injury related to the activity. Scenic rocks, overlooks and vistas are for providing scenic beauty and aesthetic benefit for guests; therefore, they shall not be used for, or disfigured by, any such recreational activity. This subsection does not apply to golf, skiing, horseback riding, hunting or fishing.

2.18.
The speed limit for motor vehicles is thirty (30) miles per hour in state parks, state forests, and state wildlife management areas, except where a lower speed limit is posted. All traffic laws, signs and directions shall be strictly observed. Driving of motor vehicles in any manner that creates a nuisance to any guest by repetitive or continuous cruising or operation is prohibited.

2.19.
Motor vehicles including, but not limited to, trail bikes, motorbikes, snowmobiles, and all terrain vehicles may be operated only on public roads usable by automotive vehicles, and on trails and areas designated for their use by the area superintendent by posted signs. It is unlawful for any unauthorized motor vehicle to go beyond a gate, cable, or other obstruction, or to proceed beyond any sign prohibiting such travel. All persons operating motor vehicles in state recreational areas shall obey and comply with all applicable state laws and rules.

a.
Mountain and trail bicycles may be operated only on public roads, trails and other readily recognizable passageways such as logging roads and oil or gas well roads. They shall not be operated on horseback riding trails when they are open and operating as horseback riding trails, nor shall they be operated on any trail or road where their use is prohibited by posted signs.

b.
For the purposes of this subsection, "mountain and trail bicycles" means any devices designed for operation on mountains and trails having two tandem wheels and pedals for propelling it by human power.

2.22.3.
Persons with a legitimate need to use motorized vehicles on the trails are exempt from the permit requirements. A legitimate need is limited to (a) those persons who are authorized by the Director to use motorized vehicles in the management, construction, and maintenance and operation of the trails and facilities and (b) persons and equipment to fight forest fires and handle other emergencies.

3.1. Responsibility for enforcing the rules.
Conservation Officers, Special Conservation Officers, and the superintendents, assistant superintendents and managers of state parks, state forests, and state wildlife management areas shall enforce all of the provisions of this rule.

3.2. Violation of rules and penalties.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this rule is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished in accordance with W. Va. Code §20-7-9.

Anybody know of a kind of lizard that eats beetles? Might start breedin the little buggers O.K. on to the serious shit.The Land and Water Conservation Fund(their sign) was put in place to match communities monies to make parks and places just for outdoor recreation. And they went into an agreement about not converting it into something else. They have a webpage. Info for kite site is: GRANDVIEW NATURE PARK Hampton VA
Oh ,yeah check out this ordinance I have been breaking like since .. forever! Sec. 7-48. Certain beverage containers and coolers prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person to take or carry upon any public sand beach any container containing or designed to contain alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, food or refreshments of any kind.
It shall also be unlawful for any person to take or carry upon any public sand beach any cooler, ice box, ice chest or insulated container.
(Ord. No. 42; Code 1964, § 34-1; Ord. No. 866, 7-8-87)
Oh , yeah it is about a mile walk to where I kite , you would die out there in the summer heat(100+)with no beer I mean water to drink And where are you supposed to put your fish you catch and don't you even think....Sec. 7-47. Picnicking or cooking restricted to designated areas.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to use any sand beach or portion thereof, open to the public, for picnicking, charcoaling or cooking, except in areas specifically set aside for and marked by appropriate signs for such picnicking, charcoaling or cooking.
(b) No person shall be guilty of violating this section unless signs have been placed on such beach indicating the requirements of this section.
(Ord. No. 202; Code 1964, § 34-2.1)
Another damn law I have been breaking when I go fishing.Hot dogs on the hibachi is illegal................... Why do I live here?...................
Now I'm really mad I wish I was a Martian ,they have great buggy terrain! Craz Z thanks for the rant Bro', I always dreaded this day. But I also like JUDAS PRIEST! BREAKIN THE LAW ! BREAKIN THE LAW ! ( apparently that is everything I do) Maybe I gotta go all the way to Jockeys Ridge NC to fly now. That is an hour and a half away. Does It look like I am hurtin any thing?

Weldngod. Let me ask you this do you ever see anything these bird watchers are talking about? The piping pulver or the sand bug? Do any of the birds take off or get scared when you're out there? They really don't have anything in the rules stopping you at this time. You could say you've been warned but about what he only suggested that your causing harm he didn't say we don't want you or the kite on the beach. You could even take pictures and submit them too him and say look i'm not involved with any of your sanctuary problems in the pictures it clearly shows i'm on my own minding my business and i'm the only one here. I don't know but driving a hour and a half to kite when this place is out your back door just doesn't seem like a great alternative. I feel bad for you and hope there is a way around the "fun police"

Hell, I don't think I have. But they probably live in the dunes,where humans are not allowed. I stay out on the beach. Lets have a look , do you see any beetles or birds






at least I don't ride my sailboat on the beach!

Hey Craz Z do you have google earth? If you do start it up and search for ( Grandview Nature Preserve Hampton VA) zoom in around the blue "C" icon that beautiful strip of beach is it. If you see a runway ,that would be langley afb. those jets make plenty of noise at all kinds of times. If that doesn't scare the birds ,nothing will

And if you dont

Whats up with the sailboat laying on the beach? That doesn't look good. So where are the dunes? are they the marsh lands before the beach? Do you have to carry your gear over those waterway's That looks like quite a hike. I don't know what to say other then the people at the conservation & recreation need to be schooled as to what your doing and shown these pictures that clearly points out you're not doing anything out there. Pretty lame now that I can see exactly where you're kiting. I feel your frustration