Quality of Life

Much of life in this area focuses on the natural beauty of the Roanoke River and its two large impoundments - Buggs Island Lake (Kerr Reservoir) and Lake Gaston. These Lakes have helped build an unbeatable quality of life by providing a plentiful water supply, flood control, electric power, recreation areas, and jobs.

• Buggs Island (also known as John H. Kerr Reservoir) a 50,000-acre lake with over 800 miles of shoreline is the largest lake in Virginia and one of the most scenic in the south. Day-use areas, 30 boat launches, and boat rentals are available, as well as, secluded lakefront residential properties. A fishing pier has been constructed to meet the needs of handicapped fishing enthusiasts. For more information, visit: http://www.kerrlake.com/lakeinfo/lake2.htm
• Lake Gaston is 34 miles long and provides 20,300 acres of surface area with over 350 miles of shoreline. This beautiful lake offers ideal facilities for fishing, boating, swimming and other water sports, as well as exceptionally desirable residential property.

Parks and Nature Reserves

Occoneechee State Park , located on a wooded peninsula of Buggs Island, encompasses 2,690 acres and is a haven for anglers, vacation campers and nature lovers. The park offers boat-launching facilities, nature trails, campgrounds, and exhibits on the history of the Occoneechee Indians. For more information, visit http://www.stateparks.com/occoneechee.html

Staunton River State Park encompasses 1,200 acres at the junction of the Dan and Staunton (Roanoke) Rivers. The park's amenities include boat-launching facilities, an Olympic size pool, furnished cabins, tennis courts, campsites, and hiking trails. The extensive multi-purpose trails and support facilities are popular with hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders. To find out more, visit:
http://www.stateparks.com/stauntonriver.html


Staunton River Battlefield State Park offers hiking and bicycle trails, self-guided historical and nature trails, as well as, a visitor center with exhibits on the power plant, a Civil War battle, and Native American History. For more information, visit http://www.stauntonriverbattlefield.org/

•  Fishing, hiking, and nature watching are popular in the many Army Corps of Engineers-owned Wildlife Management Areas surrounding Kerr Reservoir. Boat launching and picnic facilities are also available at North Bend and Tailrace Parks.

•  State owned public fishing lakes are located throughout "Lake Country." These are Brunswick Lake and Great Creek Reservoir in Brunswick County, Connor Lake in Halifax County, and Gordon's Lake in Mecklenburg County.

For more information on Southside's lakes and parks, visit the following websites:
•  http://www.kerrlake.info/
•  http://www.lakegastonchamber.com/
•  http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/
•  http://www.dgif.state.va.us/

Health Care Providers

Community Memorial Healthcenter , South Hill ( http://www.cmh-sh.org/ )
•  284 Licensed Beds: 99 acute care, 24 behavioral health, 161 skilled & intermediate care
•  140 long-term nursing care beds are available at the W.S. Hundley Annex
•  750+ employees

Halifax Regional Health System , South Boston ( http://www.hrhs.org/ )
•  Halifax Regional Hospital (192 Beds: 173 acute care and 19 skilled care)
•  Long-term care beds are available at The Woodview (180) and The Seasons (18) in South Boston and Meadowview Terrace in Clarksville (120)
•  850+ employees

Both hospitals offer 24-hour emergency services, cardiac intensive care, nuclear medicine, radiology, physical therapy, home health, and a variety of other services.
•  Major medical centers within driving distance:
•  Henrico Doctor's Hospital and Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA
•  Duke University in Durham, NC

Local Amenities and Lake Country Living

Hunting

Hunting has always been a staple of life for Lake Country residents. With its plentiful forests, fertile fields, and bountiful lakes and streams, Lake Country offers a rich habitat for a number of popular wild game species, including: whitetail deer, black bear, turkey, fox, rabbit, squirrel, geese and duck.

The Dick Cross Wildlife Management Area is a waterfowl refuge located near the Kerr Dam. In addition to "nature watching" opportunities all year, limited dove hunting is permitted in season and bird dog trials are often held there.

Falkland Farms is a 7,673-acre contiguous tract of land located on the eastern edge of Halifax County. First acquired in the early 1900's by Colonial Ira Vaughan, this privately owned farm remains a hunting plantation and its bed & breakfast facilities are used year round for corporate meetings, weddings, and receptions.

Shopping

South Hill and South Boston, the major retail centers for the surrounding area, have several major department stores, large grocery stores, and a variety of specialty shops, including hardware, gifts, building supplies, computers, florists, antiques, pharmacies and auto parts. Many small shopping centers and specialty stores may also be found in other Lake Country towns.

Large shopping malls, such as Piedmont Mall in Danville and Southpark Mall in Colonial Heights, Virginia, and several popular shopping centers in Henderson, North Carolina, are only a short drive away for Lake Country shoppers.

Housing

A wide variety of homes welcome Lake Country residents. Whether it's the family farm or an historic plantation, a comfortable bungalow or a spacious resort home by the water, a small town neighborhood or a secluded country home, a small apartment or a spacious condo, there is always a place for you and your family to call home.