Bay Oaks Park

Bay Oaks Park is an 11-acre green space located in the Ocean View area of Norfolk, Virginia. Situated one block from the sandy beaches and shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay, the park offers a blend of natural beauty and recreational facilities.

The park is notable for its impressive collection of trees, including many species of oak trees. Some of the live oak trees (Quercus virginiana) in the park are estimated to be up to 100 years old. These majestic trees, with their sweeping limbs that plunge toward the ground before shooting upward, create an impressive canopy and provide ample shade for visitors.

Bay Oaks Park features a nature-themed playground area with equipment designed to blend in with the park's natural surroundings. The playground is divided into sections for different age groups, catering to both younger and older children. Walking trails wind through the park, offering opportunities for exercise and nature observation.

The creation of Bay Oaks Park was the result of community activism. Local residents fought to preserve this green space, taking their case all the way to the Virginia State Supreme Court to prevent development of the land. The park's layout and trails were carefully designed to preserve as many of the long-standing live oak trees as possible.

Wildlife enthusiasts may spot various bird species in the park, including egrets and yellow-crested night herons. On occasion, bald eagles have been observed nesting in the tree branches. The park serves as a small oasis of nature within the urban environment of Norfolk.