Celebrate Estuaries Day at York River State Park on Saturday, which kicks off this year with a race to benefit local nonprofit SpiritWorks Foundation.
Estuaries Day at York River State park will give folks a chance to explore one of the biggest estuaries in the region – an estuary is a transition zone where brackish water and fresh water mix. There will be lots of outdoor educational events going on Saturday between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., but the festivities kick off this year at 8:30 a.m. with the Recovery Rocks 5K hosted by SpiritWorks Foundation, a drug addiction recovery and education center.
The Recovery Rocks 5K is a Colonial Road Runners Grand Prix event, with proceeds benefitting SpiritWorks. Register online through Raceit or register on race day for $30. Registration begins at 7 a.m., and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. For more race information, contact coordinator Jan Brown at 757-903-0000 or at jan@spiritworksfoundation.org, or Rick Plat at 757-229-7375 or at rickplatt1@juno.com.
Visitors can start off Estuaries Day at the park with the run to get their blood pumping, and then stay to learn more about estuaries and why they are an integral piece of the Chesapeake Bay. York River State Park is where the York River meets the tidal area of the Chesapeake Bay; the park is part of the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve System, so it’s the perfect place to discover what makes these areas so important.
The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) boat will offer tours on Saturday, but guests will need to register in advance by calling the park at 757-566-3036. Kayak and canoe trips will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis with sign up available the day of the festival. All the various boat rides are free.
Park staff will also be hosting fossil hikes and wagon rides that will focus on Taskinas Creek, the estuarine area of the park. VIMS, the Mattaponi-Pamunkey River Association and local Master naturalists will also be at the event sharing special displays and activities.
Visitors can also hike and bike around the park on their own; food vendors will be limited, but guests can bring a picnic or bagged lunch. Programs are free, but parking will be $3.
York River State Park is located on the York River with 8,000 acres of coastal forest and wetlands. The park features mountain biking, hiking and equestrian trails in the park’s main area as well as the Croaker Landing fishing pier and boat launch area.
SpiritWorks Foundation is a local recovery center that offers a variety of programs for people suffering from addiction and their families.
