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Lovers of the outdoors in Chesapeake know that the place to enjoy the natural beauty of the area is the Western Branch Park and Sports Park. This hub of outdoor activity and fun attracts various teams, groups and families out to enjoy its many amenities. This 80-acre site is the home of an impressive variety of sports attractions that include multipurpose softball fields with lights, lighted tennis courts and basketball courts. If you feel like you would rather commune with nature than play a sport, enjoy the spectacle of thousands of wildflowers that adorn a winding nature trail that is perfect for walking and running.

Man's best friend needs some quality time outdoors, too, so if your pooch is begging for a little outdoor fun, make your way to the Chesapeake Dog Park. This dog park is located near the Western Branch Community Center and offers such amenities as covered picnic tables and benches. The facility is an off-leash park that offers plenty of open spaces for your dog to play, and the fenced area features even more benches as well as a water fountain.

A single tree offers a great place to relax and commune with nature. But at the Chesapeake Arboretum, there are so many trees that your senses will be overwhelmed–but in a good way! This 47-acre garden features a staggering number of trees and also does an admirable job of championing the importance of environmental awareness through various exhibits and attractions. The Chesapeake Arboretum originally opened its doors in 1996 and has been welcoming hundreds of visitors on a regular basis ever since.

Even though Fort Norfolk requires a little extra effort to visit if you are in Chesapeake, the short drive is well worth it if you are a fan of history. This fort is the last remaining structure of an original 19 forts that were built back in 1794 on the order of President George Washington. When you arrive you will be immediately struck by the fort's outward design, and once you step through the archway that leads to the interior, you will feel like you have traveled back in time. The staff members on hand will be happy to answer any of your questions. There is also an expansive 4-acre landscape that surrounds this historical site.