A nature park transformed from landfill to 'Paradise'

With 40 acres of woods and waterways in the heart of one of the largest industrial harbors on the east coast, Paradise Creek Nature Park is a true oasis.

Located in Portsmouth, Virginia, the park includes peaceful forested trails, gentle kayaking through a restored wetland and a bridge hovering over the creek.

But barely 20 years ago, this park was little more than an abandoned industrial site. Even more so, Paradise Creek itself was one of the region’s most polluted waterways.

A historic restoration effort

For much of the 20th century, Paradise Creek, a tributary of the Elizabeth River near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, was polluted by landfills, metal scrap yards and various industrial sites. In 2001, a team of Old Dominion University researchers concluded that two species of worms made up 86% of the life in the creek bottom. 

Around that time, the Elizabeth River Project (ERP) kicked off a massive effort to restore the creek. The nonprofit brought together the creek’s biggest stakeholders to create a rescue plan that included dredging tons of toxic sediment from the creek bottom, restoring lost wetlands and protecting one of the last mature forests found anywhere on the Elizabeth River.

With funding from the private donors, the City of Portsmouth, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, among others, ERP brought the creek back from the brink. Next, the organization bought a piece of land along the creek that had been filled in for decades as a dump for dredged sediment. After the Port of Virginia removed 300,000 cubic yards of material and rebuilt 11 acres of tidal wetlands from scratch, ERP and Portsmouth opened Paradise Creek Nature Park in 2012.

Enjoying the park

Now restored, Paradise Creek Nature Park includes two miles of trails encircling a wetland that’s perfect for easy paddling and wildlife viewing.

The trails wind through meadows, saltmarsh and an old growth coastal oak woodland dense with native plants. An accessible boardwalk extends directly over the tidal wetlands, providing elevated vantage points for birdwatchers and photographers. Head to the Osprey Trail overlooking the creek for some of the best birding spots.

For visitors wanting to explore the water, the park provides easy access to the creek. A public floating dock makes launching kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards simple, regardless of the tide. Once on the water, visitors can paddle through the gentle waters of the restored wetland, looking for water birds like ospreys, herons and egrets scanning the water for food. 

A place for learning and connection

At the entrance to Paradise Creek Nature Park, you will find the Fred W. Beazley River Academy—a beautiful, eco-friendly building where ERP hosts a range of educational programs. 

Managed by ERP’s powerhouse team of environmental educators, the River Academy includes 2,000 square feet of educational programming space, including a new 50-seat lecture hall and a large covered outdoor pavilion.

Throughout the park, ERP hosts a variety of other educational programs, including the Youth Conservation Internships where local students learn about the river, the importance of stewardship and jobs within the environmental field. 

Open year-round, Paradise Creek Nature Park is a beloved space for locals, tourists and students. To learn more about Elizabeth River Project and its volunteer opportunities, visit the organization's website.