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THE PARK:
The site was purchased
by the Virginia Ferry Corporation for the northern terminus of
the Virginia Beach to Eastern Shore Ferry. In 1949, when the
terminus was moved from Cape Charles, the site was named Kiptopeke
Beach in honor of the younger brother of a king of the Accawmack
Indians who had befriended early settlers to the area. Kiptopeke
means Big Water. In 1950 the terminus opened after the completion
of a $2.75 million pier, promoted as the world's largest and
most modern ferry pier.
WALKS:
More than four miles
of fun trails for your dog traverse this bayside park. The Baywoods
Trail slips through an uplands hardwood forest on wide, old roads
and connects with expansive, sandy beaches via an extensive network
of wooden boardwalks through the dunes. The southern beach is
perfect for a hike but observe signs designating the special
habitat area that is closed to visitors. Bicycle trails are available
along the park's entrance road and the Raptor, Songbird, Chickadee
and Mockingbird trails.
There is fantastic swimming
for your dog on the sandy beaches of the eastern Chesapeake Bay.
Ships that have been placed offshore as breakwaters give less
adventurous dogs a chance to play in gentle waves.
BONUS:
Since 1963, Kiptopeke
has been the site of bird population studies. Sponsored by the
Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory, formerly known as KESTRSAL,
and licensed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, volunteers
capture, examine, weigh, band and release resident and migratory
birds each year from mid-August through November. In the raptor
research area, hawks, kestrels, osprey and other birds of prey
are observed and banded from September through November. Kiptopeke's
hawk observatory is among the top 15 nationwide.
DIRECTIONS
TO KIPTOPEKE STATE PARK:
On the eastern shore
of Virginia, Kiptopeke is three miles from the northern terminus
of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, on Route 13. Turn west on
Route 704; the park entrance is within a half mile.
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