| Sandbridge Beach

Lotus Garden Park

A unique piece of Virginia Beach history lies off of Sandbridge Road.

Lotus Garden Park is located across the street from Tabernacle United Methodist Church, and its yellowish-white flowers and bright green lily pads are sure to catch the eye of anyone driving past. These flowers are the American Lotus: the official flower of the city of Virginia Beach and the only lotus species native to the United States. The distinguishable flower bloomed abundantly during the early and mid-20th century. The tubers (responsible for the spread of the lotus plant), leaves, and seeds served as an important food source for Native American populations in the area. However, the lotus is now protected and is illegal to tamper with or pick the flowers or plants.

*The park is located at 1289 Sandbridge Road, across from Tabernacle United Methodist Church.*

The park has more to offer than just a scenic background for a photo-op; there are two popular kayak launches in the vicinity of Lotus Garden Park. From the launch, kayakers are able to access Ashville Bridge Creek, Muddy Creek, and North Bay. The Lotus Garden Loop offers beautiful scenery and the opportunity to see Virginia Beach wildlife. Be sure to follow proper safety precautions while exploring.

Rain levels, hot weather, and water quality are all factors which affect the American lotus bloom. Some years the bloom is so thick that it can seem impossible to canoe or kayak through the pond, while some years the bloom is incredibly sparse. Luckily, there are quite a few flowers bursting through the murky waters of the pond this year.

The memory of Lotus Festivals dating back to the middle of the twentieth century evoke a sense of communal pride amongst lifelong community members here in Virginia Beach. In the 1950s, the Lotus Festival was established by the members of Cape Henry Woman’s Club and Tabernacle United Methodist Church to celebrate the abundant blooms. The celebration featured the crowning of a Lotus Queen, a potluck with community members, and a parade. The Lotus Festival has been scaled back since its inauguration, but community members still gather for a luncheon at Tabernacle United Methodist Church during the month of July. Be sure to catch a glimpse of the American lotus while it is still in bloom!

For more information regarding the Lotus Garden Kayak Loop, visit the following sites:

https://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/parks-trails/Pages/kayaking.aspx

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/lotus-pond-paddle?ref=header