THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 14, 1996 TAG: 9603140311
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Volunteers are needed to plant more than 1,000 trees and shrubs Saturday at a former borrow pit that has been filled with dredge material.
The city's Habitat Enhancement Committee, a public-private partnership of conservationists, wants to restore the site and make it attractive for future use, possibly as a passive recreational area.
``We want to enhance it from a visual quality standpoint,'' said Louis Cullipher, a member of the committee and the city's agriculture director.
The 60-acre city-owned site, which surrounds the historic Upper Wolfsnare house on Potters Road, is now a flat, barren area where plants that have little wildlife or environmental benefit are starting to grow naturally.
It was originally excavated to build the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway.
It has since been filled with dredge material from the Lynnhaven River and Canal No. 2.
In the first phase of restoring the area on Saturday, about 1,100 trees and shrubs will be planted in a 20-acre area. The plants - including Atlantic white cedar, red maple, cypress, red bud, pine, live oak, black gum and wax myrtle - will be placed on the perimeter of the site while the center will remain open space.
``Basically, our planting will result in some site stabilization and improved aesthetics and wildlife habitat,'' said Barbara Howe, a city planner and a leader of the committee.
City coastal engineer Phillip Roehrs, who manages the site, said, ``We want to go in and try to show what it can look like and perhaps a use could evolve from that.''
Work will start at 9:30 a.m. and end about 3:30 p.m. Parking is available at the adjacent Upper Wolfsnare house at 2040 Potters Road.
The property is wedged between the expressway and Oceana Naval Air Station.
Volunteers should dress appropriately in boots, gloves and work clothes as it is a muddy job. They also should bring their own food and beverages.
For more information, call the city Planning Department at 426-5790. by CNB