Creek Game Download

[Barbro Faries]

In2016, Norfolk was awarded a $112 million federal grant from the National Disaster Resilience Competition for the Ohio Creek Watershed Project. The project explores various landscape and hardscape options to improve flooding, public access to the waterway and connections to the rest of the city.

The Resilience Park connects the Grandy Village and Chesterfield Heights neighborhoods and includes a flood berm, a restored tidal creek and wetland and other environmental features as well as a multi-use sports field and places for community gatherings, sports and play. Resilience Park strives to be a model for resilient open space that is uniquely Norfolk.

The Ohio Creek Watershed includes two residential, predominantly African American neighborhoods with civic leagues and a strong community identity: Historic Chesterfield Heights with over 400 houses on the Historic National Register; and Grandy Village, which includes a public housing community with more than 300 units.

The Ohio Creek Watershed experiences tidal and precipitation flooding. Only two roads access the community. One road is completely impassable during regular nuisance flood events. Residents have expressed concerns about being cut off from the rest of the city. Residents have also expressed concerns about shoreline erosion that exacerbates river flooding and prevents recreational activity.

These guidelines are intended to assist property owners with retrofit designs that are compatible with and complementary to the major infrastructure work undertaken in the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places Chesterfield Heights Historic District through the Ohio Creek Watershed Project. Click here to view.

The project has completed the Environment Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS for the Ohio Creek Project is now available for review. The project consists of an innovative, holistic, regional resiliency approach that extends beyond infrastructure to encompass community and economic development.

The Chesterfield Heights and Grandy Village neighborhoods have been selected to participate in a transformational coastal improvement project. This $112 million project will reduce flooding, improve public spaces and ensure these communities thrive for years to come.

Think about this: In 2019, 3,236 volunteers picked up more than 99,942 pounds of trash including 6,960 pounds of recyclables in just three hours on National River Cleanup Day and California Coastal Cleanup Day at 93 creek sites around Santa Clara County. That's the equivalent weight of 36 Honda Civics!

With the help of individuals and groups, we can minimize the impact urbanization is making on waterways and keep them from becoming overwhelmed by pollution. The Adopt-A-Creek program is helping the future health of our waterways by ensuring that it remains clean and healthy for California residents.

Recommended group size and area to adopt

You can have as few as one or as many as 100 people in your group. The choice is yours. Whatever the size of your group, we recommend that you adopt approximately 100 feet of creek area per person.

Whom to invite to join your group

We find that each group who adopts a creek is unique in its volunteer membership. Some consist of family members, some include colleagues at a place of work while others are made up of friends and neighbors. Your most important consideration should be to find people who will commit to cleaning your creek twice a year and with whom you'll enjoy spending time.

Download, complete, and email the Adopt-A-Creek application to Valley Water at [email protected]. You may also choose to print and mail your application to our address: 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA 95118-3614, Attn: Adopt-A-Creek Program. If you prefer, we can also mail you an informational packet which includes an application. Call us and we'd be happy to mail one out to you.

The program coordinator will be in touch with you within seven working days of receiving your application to notify you of the availability of your creek selection. If your creek choice is not available, we will recommend another area as close to your home or business as possible.

Get your permit. Once your application has been processed, we'll email a permit that will allow you and your team to remove litter or graffiti. We'll also put up an Adopt-A-Creek sign to recognize your group. It will take approximately 2 months to process permits.

Schedule your first creek cleanup and notify the water district at least 10 days in advance. This will allow us make sure there is no maintenance work scheduled during your creek cleanup. See the three steps to start your first cleanup.

The water district will furnish garbage bags, gloves and gate keys (if necessary) to access your creek site, all FREE of charge. The program also arranges for a maintenance crew to pick up the collected debris after your cleanup event.

Why is Adopt-A-Creek important?

There are more than 800 miles of streams in Santa Clara County that need cleaning. The water district works very hard year round to maintain the health of these creeks, but we can not do it alone. We need the help of citizens like you who act as stewards for the cleanliness of our community and environment throughout the year.

How do I know what creeks are available for adoption?

You can find out which creeks are available for adoption by contacting [email protected], (408) 630-2333, or see our creeks for adoption page.

Can I choose a creek in any area, or does it have to be specific to my community?

You can choose a creek anywhere in Santa Clara County, as long as it has not been adopted by another group or is not on private property. The areas of creeks that are in most need of adoption are in the Uvas/Llagas and Coyote watersheds near Morgan Hill/Gilroy and East San Jose/Milpitas respectively.

How many people do I need in my group in order to participate?

You can have as little as one or as many as 100 people in your group. The choice is yours. Your most important consideration should be finding people who will commit to cleaning the creek twice a year and with whom you'll enjoy spending time.

How do I get involved in the Adopt-A-Creek program?

Anyone can get involved in the program. See our getting started page for more information. You can download an application or request an application to be sent to you by contacting [email protected], (408) 630-2333.

How long am I committed to participating in the program?

Your Adopt-A-Creek permit is valid for two years. You can renew your permit as many times as you wish to continue participating in the program.

How often do I have to clean my creek?

We ask that you designate a minimum of two cleanup days per year for your group, although you can clean your creek as often as you'd like.

What tools do I need?

The water district supplies garbage bags and gloves for your group at no cost for your cleanup day. Please contact the program coordinator before you pick up your supplies at our San Jose warehouse located at 5905 Winfield Boulevard, San Jose.

Will my group be picking up hazardous or dangerous materials?

It is extremely rare for a group to come across toxic or hazardous materials during its cleanup day. If you suspect that a material may be toxic or hazardous, we ask that you do not attempt to remove it. Notify the water district at 1-888-510-5151 or county hazardous material office of suspected toxic substance immediately.

Can children participate?

We encourage children to participate in the program with adult supervision. It is a great way to give them ownership of their community and show them how pollution can negatively impact their environment.

Does cleaning a creek two times a year really make an impact?

YES! A little effort on your part can make a huge impact on the environment. Every piece of debris that you pick up from your adopted creek means one less piece that will end up in the San Francisco or Monterey bays, threatening humans, fish, wildlife and vegetation.

None. For information on availability of other parks' overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.

There are seven hiking trails with interpretive signs. The trail directly behind the visitor center is the Stagg Trail (.4 miles). The Stagg Trail connects with the Kershaw Trail at the Overlook. Visitors may take the Kershaw Trail (.9miles), which leads to Sailor's Creek where the Union army traversed the battlefield to assault the Confederate position.

Across the road from the Overlook is the (.8miles) Custis Lee Trail which allows hikers to see where Gen. Custis Lee counter-attacked Union forces. The Seymour Trail (.2 miles) connects the Custis Lee to the creek.

The Hillsman House offers the Wheaton Trail (.7 miles) which takes visitors from the house to the creek and back, or visitors can pick up The Nature Spur Trail for an additional (.1 mile) back to the house.

Several good fishing opportunities are a short drive from this park. The Appomattox River is a few miles to the northeast. Besides largemouth and smallmouth bass, the Appomattox is home to the Kentucky spotted bass and numerous other freshwater species. Access to the river is limited. Nearby Bear Creek Lake, Twin Lakes and Holliday Lake state parks offer fishing and overnight accommodations.

The site is historical because on April 6, 1865, the Black Thursday of the Confederacy, Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia lost 7,700 men, including eight generals, in the battles of Sailor's Creek. This defeat was key to Lee's decision to surrender at Appomattox Court House 72 hours later, thus ending the war in Virginia. Click here to download a brochure that details the battle.

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