First Landing State Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = First Landing State Park
iucn_category = V


caption = A picture from a trail in First Landing State Park
locator_x =
locator_y =
location = Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA
nearest_city =
lat_degrees = 36
lat_minutes = 54
lat_seconds = 22
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 76
long_minutes = 0
long_seconds = 55
long_direction = W
area = 2,888 acres (11.69 km²)
established =
visitation_num = 1,000,000+
visitation_year = 2004
governing_body = Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

First Landing State Park (formerly Seashore State Park) offers recreational opportunities at Cape Henry in the independent city of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

The state park is near the site of the first landing on April 26, 1607 of Christopher Newport and the Virginia Company colonists before establishing themselves at Jamestown. The park includes cabins, areas for camping, fishing, and swimming, and over convert|19|mi|km of trails for hiking and biking. Virginia's most popular state park, it's visited by over a million people each year.

History

Development of the Seashore State Park began in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps on 1,060 acres (4.3 km²) of donated land. Most of the workers were African American men. The new park opened on June 15, 1936. Several additions of land and adjustments of the border with Fort Story resulted in the current total area of the park of 2,888 acres (11.69 km²).

The park’s natural area was listed as a National Natural Landmark in 1965. In 1997, the park's name was changed from Seashore State Park to First Landing State Park to reflect its heritage as the first place where members of the Virginia Company landed.

External links

* [http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/1stland.htm First Landing State Park]
* [http://www.first-landing-state-park.org another First Landing State Park website]