at Paradise Creek Nature Park. Participants in an after school program through Cradock Middle School have been working hard all spring to build this discovery and teaching area. You can find Admiral’s Haven Discovery Zone along the Fox Trail. Stop by and turn a log over, you’ll be amazed at what you can find!
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Come see our NEW Discovery Zone
Eagle Scout Adds Butterfly Garden
Not one, but four top-level Scouts have now proved their talents at our park! The latest is Hardy Bercier of Troop 259, earning Eagle Scout by establishing our new butterfly trail and garden. Visit to learn how you too can create habitat for native butterflies. Hardy says he wanted to do something to help butterflies and thought Paradise Creek “would be a cool place to do it since it’s a new and growing park…it’s neat to play a part in helping to grow the park.” Thanks, Hardy!.
First Paddle in Paradise
Our first group paddle left the dock yesterday for a gorgeous paddle in "Paradise." We also christened the new fleet of clear-bottomed kayaks! Join us for one of our guided paddle programs this summer!
Volunteer with Forest Stewardship Corps
Volunteers needed! NEW Forestry Stewardship Corps, made possible by Virginia Department of Forestry. This team’s mission is to remove invasive plants at Paradise Creek Nature Park throughout the winter months and replace with natives in the spring, improving the habitat of the maritime forest. We’ve already made huge advances removing Japanese Stiltgrass and Chinese Privet, join us to help win the battle against invasives and contribute to improvements to the park and your home river.
Come Have Fun!
Paradise Creek Nature Park offers a variety of activities throughout the year. Learn about what's migrating through the area with a bird walk. Be a river hero by lending a hand at one of our volunteer service days. See what's dweling under the surface in the wetlands.
'Paradise Found' Along the Elizabeth River
Bay Journal Features Our Park! See the beautiful photo and story here:
Fred W. Beazley River Academy… Construction Underway!
“One of Portsmouth’s great secrets” – Portsmouth Mayor John Rowe
Aug. 4, 2017 – Elizabeth River Project is super excited to announce that construction began today on the Fred W. Beazley River Academy at Paradise Creek Nature Park, thanks to so many of our generous donors and partners!
Rob Mulholland's mesmerizing art comes to Paradise Creek Nature Park, thanks to NEA!
Elizabeth River Project has brought an internationally known environmental sculptor to the park. Rob Mulholland of Scotland has created his first installation in the US at Paradise Creek Nature Park, thanks to a grant from National Endowment for the Arts.
Portsmouth Summer Camps Paddle Paradise
Students participating in Portsmouth Public School summer camps learn to kayak at Paradise Creek Nature Park.
Best Wishes to Ranger Sarah!
After almost five years of helping birth our new park, Urban Park Ranger Sarah Sumoski has departed for new horizons with another park system. Thanks for the hard work and all the best, Sarah! For now, park ideas and volunteers go to Robin Dunbar, rdunbar@elizabethriver.org, Deputy Director – Education. Also, see our job posting.
New Park Programs are Here!
Sign up for one (or more) of our new and exciting park programs! River Yoga, Clear-Bottom Kayak Paddles, Kids Earth Day Weekend, Great Migration Bird Walk, Youth Art House, Grow Your Own Natives, and more to come!
Fred W. Beazley River Academy Now Open!
Thank you to everyone who came out to Paradise Creek Nature Park for the ribbon cutting of one of the greenest little buildings in the region!
Read More About the Fred W. Beazley River Academy
Pilot Features Our River Academy!
Read David Macauly's article in the Virginian-Pilot, "New River Academy opens its doors in Portsmouth."
Paradise Found
Read the Suffolk News Herald article about how Paradise Creek was transformed from one of the most contaminated areas in the country to an urban oasis!
New Park Hours
Sheriff Michael Moore’s deputies (and our Dave) close the park gates for the first time. Slightly new park hours (6:30 am to 7:30 pm) and the deputies will open and close each day! Thank you, Sheriff Moore!