THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 16, 1995 TAG: 9507140185
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DAWSON MILLS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Long : 107 lines
NOW THAT SUMMER has arrived, what better way to pass a day than in the park?
A fisherman might say dropping a line where the bass, catfish and other pan fish are biting; a golfer, a day on the course; a camper, a trip into the wilderness.
If those divergent reactions sound like the last time you tried to plan a family activity, perhaps you should set course to Sleepy Hole Park. It offers all of the above - and more.
Located in Suffolk, the park is owned by the city of Portsmouth and leased to private operators Jim Armentrout and Ronnie Rountree. It's not part of either the Suffolk or Portsmouth park system, but in terms of amenities and things to do, it's hard to beat.
The park, on 60 acres along the Nansemond River, boasts 50 campsites and a park store next to the campground. There are picnic shelters, additional picnic tables scattered throughout, play equipment for children, athletic fields and an overlook along the river. Comfort stations are strategically placed at several locations.
Sleepy Hole Pond, a collection of four man-made drainage and run-off collectors, is home to several species of ducks and myriad turtles. Stocked with fish, it is a popular spot for anglers.
Next to the park - you pass its entrance on the way into the park - is Sleepy Hole Golf Course. It is a Three Star facility, according to Golf Digest, one of the finest tests in Virginia.
The 18 hole, par 72 course on 150 acres was host to the LPGA Tour Crestar Classic from 1981 to 1988. There's a golf shop and restaurant. J.B. SanGiacomo is the resident golf pro, and Armentrout is director of golf.
``Last year, we had 40,000 golfers,'' Armentrout said. ``With the park, we don't keep any sort of records on it, but I'd imagine we had roughly the same number of people.''
None of the statistics convey the incredible scenic beauty of the location. The golf course is on a wide bend in the river, abutting the park. Low rolling hills and verdant woods line both the course and the park. A 15-foot embankment provides excellent viewing.
The pond system, with a low embankment on two sides, appears placed by Mother Nature. Best to bring an extra roll of film.
The day daughter Sandi and I visited was typical of this year's Hampton Roads summer. Slow-moving white, gray and black clouds vied for space in the sky with the sun. While the sun prevailed, spectacular vistas of wooded landscape, clearings and river stood in stark contrast to the clouds.
Eventually the clouds won, and it began to rain. That brought a different kind of beauty: concentric circles filling the pond as it was pelted by raindrops, sheets of rain and clouds of mist moving across the river, visible from miles away.
Ryan and Brandon Morefield of Portsmouth had come to the park with their dad, who also brought nephews Adam and Aaron Warren and Joshua and Larry Boales.
``I'm watching them this morning,'' explained Morefield, ``and mom will take over this afternoon!''
The boys frolicked over the play equipment before piling back into their pickup truck before the rain came.
Amy Chura of Zuni brought grandson Thomas Aquino, 3, to feed the ducks. They lingered along the banks of the pond before heading off to other discoveries.
Suffolkians Christina Engle, Teresa Brock and Anita Blankenship had come from near Holland. Brock brought her 15-month-old son, Richard. They weren't so lucky: caught in the summer downpour they raced back to their car to head home.
``We come here often,'' noted Blankenship, adding, ``it's about a 20-minute drive,'' as they piled into Engle's car.
Suffolk is home to an extensive system of city-run parks. Dinesh Tiwari, director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities Management, stresses the programs that are offered as much as the facilities themselves.
``We do have a good series of programs,'' says Tiwari. These include athletics, concerts, nature activities, arts and crafts, fishing, boating, and hiking.
Whatever you're looking for in the way of recreation, chances are you can discover it in Suffolk's parks. Plan your next family outing in one of them and learn all they offer. MEMO: Share your discoveries with Sun readers. Call Dawson Mills at
489-9547. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by DAWSON MILLS
Thomas Aquino and his grandmother Amy Chura watch a duck start to
take flight from Sleep Hole Pond.
Graphic
SUFFOLK RECREATION AREAS
Bennett's Creek Park and Boat Ramp
Birdsong Recreation Center
Cypress Park and Pool
Lake Meade Landing Tennis Courts
Lone Star Lakes
Lone Star Lakes Lodge
National Guard Armory
Peanut Park
Planters Club
Senior Citizens Center
The Suffolk Museum
Whaleyville Community Center and Athletic Field
For information about Sleepy Hole Park, call 538-4101; to reach
the golf course, 538-4100. For information about the city's other
parks, call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Facilities
Management: 925-6325.
by CNB