There is a quiet little spit of land running west then south off of South Front Street, Belleville’s main downtown street.
When you turn onto it , you are overcome by a gentle feeling as the mouth of the Moira River comes into view. 
Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of Belleville’s main intersection, you gaze suddenly on wide open space and giant old maples and pines. You are surrounded by water.
Waves gently lap the shore and the scent of the River's spray fills the air. A heron takes flight from one of the small wharves as you continue down the narrow roadway. As you gaze towards the mouth of the Moira River, you see an island.
You notice it is covered by a myriad of water birds. Cormorants, Gulls, a Heron, the odd Canada Goose family and Mallard Ducks forage nearby.
You breathe a deep sigh and are thankful for this small oasis in the middle of the city where you can escape, temporarily, the stresses of your day.
To your left you notice a harbour filled with sailboats, small houseboats and powerboats.
Boaters are relaxing on the docks, visiting with friends and sharing in a cool drink. The shade under the giant old trees that grow on the spit invites you to step out of your car, spead an old blanket and rest awhile. You 
take off your sandals and dig your toes into the cool grass. As you rest your head back and let your eyes wander upwards to the twisted shady branches, a glimmer of blue sky catches your eye and the breeze gently caresses your bare ankles.
This is Victoria Park and Victoria Park Marina in Belleville, Ontario. It is my favourite place to take a break during my busy day or when I have deep thinking to do and need to be in a nearby place that has all the elements of so many things I love; old trees, stone buildings, boats, water, people enjoying being alive, gull cries, quietude and open spaces.
If you arrive in Belleville by water, Victoria Harbour is found on your starboard side just as you enter the mouth of the Moira River. Victoria Park is the spit of land that shelters Victoria Park Marina and the
Bay of Quinte Yacht Club.
Within walking distance of Victoria Park Marina are many wonderful restaurants, banks, quaint shops of every kind , the Belleville Farmer’s Market and the waterfront trails which run along the Bay of Quinte waterfront and the Moira River waterfront.
The Boathouse Seafood Restaurant is a lovely waterfront restaurant that sits on the east shore of Victoria Park Marina. There are plenty of dockside seating areas where you can enjoy a meal of fresh pickerel or the catch of the day while you sit under the shade of an umbrella and watch the boats coming and going. I highly recommend it. The service is excellent and the menu is extensive.
If you are considering retiring or moving to a waterside town with excellent boating facilities, I would be happy to send you a Belleville and Quinte Region Relocation package, free of charge. Mention the type of properties you may be interested in and I will be sure to include a full list of all currently available listings that meet your needs/desires.
Have a safe and happy boating season and I look forward to one day meeting you !
JoSmith©
