NORFOLK, VA – Members of the Highland Park Civic League are honoring military veterans and their dedication to service with a new kayak launch. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Highland Park Veterans Kayak Launch at the corner of 44th Street and Colley Avenue will take place October 10th at 2:30 p.m.
“We wanted to acknowledge our veterans, especially wounded veterans who can now have access to kayaking, in support of overall physical and emotional health,” said Dale Ryder, President, Highland Park Civic League. Civic league members spearheaded the development and naming of the new kayak launch at Knitting Mill Creek. The launch replaces an old, dilapidated city pier. Norfolk City Council approved funding for the launch as part of a larger city-wide project to improve commercial corridors.
The public can enjoy Norfolk’s waterways with more than a dozen access points. In addition to the Highland Park Veterans Kayak Launch, the La Valette Avenue Kayak Launch located at the end of La Valette Avenue opened less than a year ago.
“Norfolk is the premier urban waterfront city. The Highland Park Veterans Kayak Launch illustrates just one of the many ways our community stakeholders can access and enjoy water in our City,” said Darrell Crittendon, Director of Recreation, Parks and Open Space (RPOS).
For information on kayak and canoe water access points and other programs and services offered by RPOS, visit
Norfolk.gov/play.