The Bellamy Woods Civic League came into being in the summer and fall of 1987. That year residents met many times and agreed upon the need to form an organization for the mutual benefit of everyone living in the community. The first neighborhood-wide picnic was held on July 4, and the very first dues payments were deposited August 12. Over 150 households joined the new civic league that first year. The residents wrote a Constitution and Bylaws, and the IRS granted official recognition to the new group as of the date those documents were voted on and adopted: November 18, 1987.
The Bellamy Woods Civic League's primary purposes were (and still are):
>to bring into organization the residents and property owners of the Bellamy Woods area;
>to promote good fellowship and citizenship;
>to encourage the interchange of ideas;
>the protection of their property investments and
>to further the best interests of this area in Virginia Beach towards beautification, recreation, sanitation and safety of the residents.
Our community has changed quite a bit over nearly 40 years since the BWCL was formed. The neighborhood itself was not yet fully built out in 1987, many surrounding areas such as Brenneman Farm Shopping Center were still undeveloped, and even major nearby roadways like Ferrell Parkway weren't finished back then. Now more than 470 homes exist in our community.
As the area developed, so did our Civic League. Through the efforts of many dedicated residents over the years, a newsletter was founded, the Neighborhood Watch program was established, in 2012 our website and digital publications were started, social events of many types were held to promote fellowship, and good works were performed. The Civic League constructed the entrance signs at Brantingham and Selwood and refaced the sign at Gilling Court. Although the City owns the park at the center of the neighborhood, the Civic League has raised funds several times to pay for and donate improvements including one of the picnic shelters, additional playground equipment, the kiosk, the bike rack, the volleyball net, dog waste bag dispensers, benches & trees.
As our Civic League grew, our neighborhood gained and exercised a voice. Meetings with government officials, developers, and just among neighbors have promoted our common interests. In 1992, the Bellamy Woods Civic League joined the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations, giving our residents even stronger representation within the City, and a BWCL Past-President went on to become President of the city-wide VBCCO. In 2011 the BWCL became a founding member of the Kempsville Coalition of Civic Organizations (now the Historic Kempsville Citizens Advisory Committee), partnering with 18 sister civic groups to bring attention to issues in our part of Virginia Beach.
The Civic League's long, uninterrupted history is due to the hard work of residents who donate their time and talent for the benefit of the whole neighborhood. In 1994, the BWCL Board was expanded from four to seven members, and more than 75 residents have served on the Board since our founding. Many more have volunteered in other valuable ways.
We would welcome any pictures, stories, or other remembrances of our neighborhood's history via email to [email protected]. Whether you are one of our "Founding Families," a more recent arrival, a former resident or a "Boomerang Resident" who chose to move back, please remind us what things were like when you moved in and the good times you've enjoyed here since.
The Bellamy Woods Civic League's primary purposes were (and still are):
>to bring into organization the residents and property owners of the Bellamy Woods area;
>to promote good fellowship and citizenship;
>to encourage the interchange of ideas;
>the protection of their property investments and
>to further the best interests of this area in Virginia Beach towards beautification, recreation, sanitation and safety of the residents.
Our community has changed quite a bit over nearly 40 years since the BWCL was formed. The neighborhood itself was not yet fully built out in 1987, many surrounding areas such as Brenneman Farm Shopping Center were still undeveloped, and even major nearby roadways like Ferrell Parkway weren't finished back then. Now more than 470 homes exist in our community.
As the area developed, so did our Civic League. Through the efforts of many dedicated residents over the years, a newsletter was founded, the Neighborhood Watch program was established, in 2012 our website and digital publications were started, social events of many types were held to promote fellowship, and good works were performed. The Civic League constructed the entrance signs at Brantingham and Selwood and refaced the sign at Gilling Court. Although the City owns the park at the center of the neighborhood, the Civic League has raised funds several times to pay for and donate improvements including one of the picnic shelters, additional playground equipment, the kiosk, the bike rack, the volleyball net, dog waste bag dispensers, benches & trees.
As our Civic League grew, our neighborhood gained and exercised a voice. Meetings with government officials, developers, and just among neighbors have promoted our common interests. In 1992, the Bellamy Woods Civic League joined the Virginia Beach Council of Civic Organizations, giving our residents even stronger representation within the City, and a BWCL Past-President went on to become President of the city-wide VBCCO. In 2011 the BWCL became a founding member of the Kempsville Coalition of Civic Organizations (now the Historic Kempsville Citizens Advisory Committee), partnering with 18 sister civic groups to bring attention to issues in our part of Virginia Beach.
The Civic League's long, uninterrupted history is due to the hard work of residents who donate their time and talent for the benefit of the whole neighborhood. In 1994, the BWCL Board was expanded from four to seven members, and more than 75 residents have served on the Board since our founding. Many more have volunteered in other valuable ways.
We would welcome any pictures, stories, or other remembrances of our neighborhood's history via email to [email protected]. Whether you are one of our "Founding Families," a more recent arrival, a former resident or a "Boomerang Resident" who chose to move back, please remind us what things were like when you moved in and the good times you've enjoyed here since.