Defriece Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Defriece Park is a beautiful recreational area located in the city of Suffolk, Virginia.


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Summary

The park spans over 200 acres and offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. Some of the top reasons to visit Defriece Park include hiking, fishing, picnicking, and birdwatching.

One of the main points of interest in Defriece Park is Lake Meade, which is stocked with fish and offers a great spot for fishing enthusiasts. The park also features several hiking trails, including a 1.5-mile trail around the lake. Other notable attractions in the park include a playground, basketball courts, and a picnic area with grills.

Defriece Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of bird species. Visitors can often spot ospreys, bald eagles, and great blue herons around the lake.

The best time of year to visit Defriece Park is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round and offers something to do in all seasons.

Overall, Defriece Park is a great destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful and scenic retreat in Virginia.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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