New study explores alternate transportation to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Virginia Beach, Va. (WTKR) - There may soon be a few new ways to reach Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia Beach.

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation is planning to host a public information meeting on Wednesday, November 4^th to present findings of a study recently done that looks into new environmentally-friendly ways for visitors to access Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park without using their vehicles.

The study was funded by a $449,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

Some of the transportation alternatives include:

Back Bay Refuge Trail:  a shared use path from Lago Mar to Sandbridge, and restored bike lanes along Sandfiddler Road.
• Sigma Trail:  a shared use path along Sandbridge Road from Lotus Drive to Back Bay Refuge Trail.
• Shuttles:  a service to the Refuge’s existing Visitor Contact Station from the site of the future Visitor Contact Station and from the Virginia Aquarium.
• Water access:  improvements to enhance canoe/kayak travel across the bay.
• Water taxi:  a shore-to-shore passenger service on a pontoon-style boat.
• No Construction:  programs for education and encouragement.
If you’d like to attend the public information meeting, it will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Red Mill Elementary School.

Citizens who can’t attend the meeting are welcome to read the study online and send their comments in by December 4^th.