After months of hard work, the newly renovated boat ramps and fishing pier at Kiptopeke State Park will open with a dedication ceremony and celebration, May 5 at 10:30 a.m.

"This is the first major face-lift the park has received in its seven-year history," said Department of Conservation and Recreation Director David Brickley. "We’re well on the way to making Kiptopeke a premiere waterfront state park."

The public is invited to join Secretary of Natural Resources John Paul Woodley Jr. and other state and local officials when they dedicate the $3.8 million waterfront construction project.

Work at the park included major improvements to the existing 560-foot fishing pier, the construction of dual boat ramps, a rock jetty and 2,000 linear-feet of bulkheads, as well as dredging the boat basin, and demolition of the old ferry terminal building. Both the boat ramps and fishing pier are now universally accessible.

Much of the existing site, including the fishing pier, was built in 1949 for the ferry that traveled from Virginia Beach to the Eastern Shore. These are the first major improvements in the site’s history.

"We know that local citizens, as well as in-state and out-of-state visitors, have looked forward to this new boat launch and pier for quite some time," said Department of Conservation and Recreation State Parks Director Joe Elton. "We’re very pleased we can provide this enhanced access to the Chesapeake Bay’s best sport fishing."

The project’s architectural and engineering firm was Glenn & Sadler of Norfolk, and Tidewater Construction Corporation of Virginia Beach was the general contractor, said Park Manager Scott Flickinger.

"The fishing pier has been closed for more than two years because of structural damage," Flickinger said. "The new pier includes lights to allow 24-hour access during peak seasons.

"With these changes it’s as though we have a whole new park," he said. "We can give our visitors more of what they want – access to some of the best fishing on the East coast."

Kiptopeke State Park is located on State Route 704. Three miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, turn left off of U.S. Route 13 onto 704.

For more information about Virginia State Parks activities and amenities, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK or in Richmond (804) 225-3867.