The sounds of horseshoes clanking will wake up Sleep Hole Park in Suffolk, Virginia

The City of Suffolk has been exploring the idea of bringing horseshoes into their Sleep Hole Park Facility, and on Friday, November 18th a meeting was held with the Parks and Recreation Department, the Portsmouth Horseshoe Club and the VaHPA’s Regional Director.

Sleepy Hole is nestled along the banks of the Nansemond River, with an 18 hole golf course, a (Frisbee) disc golf course, a beautiful play ground area and numerous trails. The P+R Dept thinks horseshoe courts would be a nice addition to the facility.

Donnie Snowden, President of the Portsmouth Club, has worked with the Suffolk Peanut Fest committee over the last 2 years and explained the interest he has seen in the area for pitching shoes. Jim O’Quinn, Treasurer of the club, recently moved to within a few miles of the Sleep Hole Park, and expressed he would be willing to help build and organize a club to use the courts on a regular basis. Sherwood Brown, League Director, brought numerous photos and albums showing all of the courts in Virginia.

As RD, I helped explain the excitement that has spilled over in the area from the start of the Chesapeake Open, the formation of that club, and the enthusiasm that has developed. The Portsmouth Club formed 2 years after the start of Chesapeake and with their help the Suffolk Peanut fest has expanded.

Terry Baronner (Parks Superintend), Cheryl Pisani (Park Ranger) and Tameka Dillard from Parks and Rec asked many questions to everyone. Tameka was very excited about the possibility of holding a clinic and tournament for the city. Cheryl explained the operations of the park with what happens throughout the year at the facility.

At the conclusion of the meeting Terry expressed that he is very interested in the possibility of building a pitching complex and felt that it would be a very positive asset for the park. He said he would work with his budget and will try to find the funding for building the complex. With the help from a local club it might be possible in 2006 to start building the facility