Here is your chance to support Lake Anna State Park.  We are very fortunate to not only have Lake Anna State Park but we have a multitude of other excellent state parks across Virginia. 

Beautiful Lake Anna State Park

Much of the support for these parks comes in the way of volunteers donating huge numbers of hours.  Right now we have another opportunity to ensure that our parks are well maintained for our use.

Now you can support our state parks in yet another way.  This one is real easy.  Buy a raffle ticket!

The Virginia State Park System is conducting a raffle to be held December 16, 2011 as a part of the current Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign Program (CVC). The raffle proceeds will be given to the Virginia Association for Parks (VAFP) through the CVC Program.

First prize is a 2 night cabin stay at a Virginia State Park. Second prize is attendance to a Women's Wellness Weekend Program to be held at a Virginia State Park. You do not need to be present at the drawing to win.

Raffle tickets are $5 each or 6 tickets for $25. Tickets are available for purchase at all state park offices.

These are great prizes, the tickets are reasonably priced, and VAFP will reinvest the proceeds into the park system. Please share this information with family, friends, co-workers, etc.

Summer dream job for someone at Lake Anna State Park.  Yes, if someone is looking for a job where they will be spending their time in a beautiful spot they should check out this possibility.

If someone would like to spend a good part of the time outside working in a natural environment this could be the job for them.  The position starts shortly so now is the time to explore your possibilities.  Good luck!

Lake Anna State Park - A Great Place to Enjoy Spring Weather

Looking for things to do outdoors during these beautiful spring days?  Fortunately for those of us that live at or fairly close to Lake Anna we have Lake Anna State Park where there are always activities planned.  Here are some things that you might enjoy doing during the remainder of the month.

03/15/2011 - 12/15/2011 Old Pond Trail Self Guided Tour

Come and enjoy a self guided nature tour of the Old Pond Trail. The Friends of Lake Anna State Park brochure is available at trailhead by parking area. The Old Pond Trail is a paved path and is .3 of a mile.

Location - Old Pond Trail Phone - (540) 854-6245

04/22/2011 Fun with Nature Junior Ranger Program 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

As spring blossoms, it is a great time to get outdoors and see things come alive! Through hands on activities, songs and play youth, ages 9-12, and their parents will enjoy learning about nature while exploring the park. The fee is $5 per youth. Dress for outdoor fun!

Location - Meet at the Visitor Center Phone - (540) 854-6245

04/23/2011 Great Nature Search 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Explore the Old Pond Trail while searching for hidden treasure eggs. All ages are welcome! Parental supervision is appreciated.

Location - Meet at the park's visitor center Phone - (540) 854-6245

04/25/2011 Public Meeting on LASP Master Plan 6:00 p.m.

Location - Dominion Resources Building, 1022 Haley Drive, Mineral, VA 

04/26/2011 Historic Committee Meeting 4:00 p.m.-5:00p.m.

Location -Park's visitor center.

04/29/2011 Sunset Canoe Tour 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Experience nature's beauty as you paddle and explore the coves around the park at sunset. Basic canoe safety and instruction will be presented prior to trip. The fee is $6 per person.

Location - Meet at the park office Phone - (540) 854-5503

04/30/2011 Spring Into the Outdoors: Pond Management and Exploration 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Speaker Tom Gunter, a retiree from DGIF will share how ponds and lakes work as a living system and will include how an aeration system benefits these impoundments. Following the speaker's program, there will be hands-on experiential activity stations that will allow guests to explore the world around the pond. Fee is $3 per person, $8 per family and $25 per group (groups please call to reserve).

Location - Meet at the Visitor Center Phone - (540) 854-6245

The public is invited to attend a meeting to be held by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation at the Dominion Resource Building at 1022 Haley Drive off Kentucky Springs Road (Rt. 652) Mineral, VA. 

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss plans for Lake Anna State Park.  The management plan for the park is being updated and the public is encouraged to attend this meeting and to offer suggestions.

LAKE ANNA STATE PARK

This is a very good opportunity to learn more about future plans for Lake Anna State Park and to perhaps have some input as well.

The meeting will be held April 25 at 6:00 p.m. and, as mentioned, will be open to the public.

Opened in 1983, the park covers 2,810 acres with plenty of shoreline along Lake Anna.  We are so fortunate to have this great asset here at the lake. 

Lake Anna State Park is a wonderful asset located in Central Virginia.  For the area residents it has become a source of pleasure as a place to enjoy nature.  If that is something that interests you be sure to take advantage of the various activities held at the park.  Coming up is a native plants walk which will provide you with the opportunity to learn more abut the native plants that inhabit our area.

04/16/2011    Native Plants Walk   10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.  

Come join Master Naturalists and Native Plant Society Members as they share their knowledge and passion for the native plants that reside at Lake Anna State Park. Fee is $3 per person, $8 per family. Registration is taken on the day of the event.   
 
Location - Meet at the Visitor Center   

Phone - (540) 854-6245

Lake Anna State Park offers some neat programs...take a look. Shown below is the schedule for this week's programs to be held at Lake Anna State Park.
 
 
11/09/2010    Walking Program   5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.  New Time  

Enjoy walking with others while enjoying the fall cooler weather. All fitness levels are welcome. Nordic Poles and instruction will be available to those interested. Fee: $3 per person, $8 per family; FREE for Annual Park pass holders.    Location - Meet at Park Office    Phone - (540) 854-6245

11/13/2010    Nature Nook   11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.  

Stop by the Visitor Center to see exhibits and try your hand at a nature activity during its after Labor Day special Saturday openings. Each nature nook will feature an activity in relationship to the afternoon's speaker program topic. Fee: FREE    Location - Park Visitor Center    Phone - (540) 854-6245
 
11/13/2010    Speaker Exploration Program: Bird Talk & Hike   1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.  

Donna Finnegan, avid birder and a Virginia Master Naturalist, will present a bird talk (from 1-2:30 p.m.) and hike while featuring the Lake Anna State Park's Bluebird Trail Monitoring program. Afterwards (3-4 p.m., program participants will make their own bluebird box. Program Fee: $3 per person, $8 per family, $25 per group. A supply fee of $8 per bluebird box built. Advanced registration is appreciated for program and is required for making birdhouses!     Location - Meet at the Visitor Center    Phone - (540) 854-6245

Annual passes to Lake Anna State Park can be purchased at the park office.  The cost of the annual pass is $36.00 or $22.00 for seniors 62 and older. 

The Commonwealth of Virginia has a top-rated state park system.  Without a doubt it is one of the best in the country.  In 2001 the National Sporting Good Association's Sports Foundation Inc.  it the ppresented it with their presigious gold medal and state park award as the #1 state park system.

However, the budget to support Virginia's state parks ranks low among the 50 states.  It is amazing what can be done with the help of volunteers. 

Lake Anna State Park has a very active group of volunteers that supplement the tremendous job the park staff is doing.  In another post I will provide additional information on this group of volunteers called, Friends of Lake Anna State Park.

If you live within a comfortable driving distance from Lake Anna you may find this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some time outdoors in a beautiful environment while benefiting one of Virginia's special parks.  You will also get a chance to work along side some really special people.

From time to time I will share volunteer opportunities with you.  This is one that is coming up shortly.  If you or someone you know might be interested in helping out please get in touch with Cathy Corker, Kris Jarvis,  (their contact information is below) or with me.

"Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience" Field Day Planning Workshop
Friday, April 3, 10: a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Lake Anna State Park - Visitor Center

This workshop is designed for environmental educators, teachers and volunteers who will be providing field based learning stations to intermediate and middle school audiences at state parks or similar venues.  Participants will receive Project WET's "Healthy Water Healthy People" Educator's Guide.  Sessions will include watershed mapping, water quality monitoring, riparian buffer survey, historical land use patterns, litter analysis and fish populations.  Managing large groups and other field trip tips will be covered. 
 
To register for this free program, provide full contact information to Cathy Corker, Chief Ranger at 540-854-6245 or cathy.corker@dcr.virginia.gov or Kris Jarvis at kdjarvis@deq.virginia.gov  Participants should dress for field work and bring a bag lunch. 

Anyone interested in volunteering is welcome to attend the training.  Other volunteers are needed to assist with the day festivities --photographer, group hosts, station monitors / assistants or just have fun learning with the students. If interested please email Cathy at cathy.corker@dcr.virginia.gov  Cathy is the Chief Ranger, Education Interpreter for the Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation.  We are indeed fortunate to have Cathy assigned to Lake Anna State Park.

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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Contact Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com.  Be sure to check Kate's Web site http://lakeannacountry.com/.