WILLIAMSBURG Unwary visitors to Williamsburg can find their heads spinning if they go into Confusion Corner without solid bearings.

But that befuddling intersection where Jamestown and Richmond roads meet Duke of Gloucester Street -- need not serve as a metaphor for sorting through the recreational and cultural amenities available to visitors and residents.

The Williamsburg Regional Library stands ready to eliminate any confusion about community facilities and programs, from parks to concerts featuring nationally known artists. Musicians such as Pete Seeger and Robin and Linda Williams have performed at the library's theater on Scotland Street, and the current Dewey Decibel Concert Series on jazz combines video viewing with discussion.

Online

Here are links to more information about some Williamsburg amenities: Williamsburg Parks and Recreation www.ci.williamsburg.va.us/dept/rec/index.htm James City County Parks and Recreation www.james-city.va.us/recreation/parks-trails/index.html York County Parks and Recreation www.yorkcounty.gov/parksandrec York River State Park www.dcr.virginia.gov/parks/yorkrive.htm Williamsburg Regional Library www.wrl.org Eastern Virginia Mountainbike Association www.evma.org Peninsula Bicycling Association http://groups.hamptonroads.com/pba

The system also reaches beyond its walls with award-winning Web and computer services. Residents can research educational programs, and visitors can plan the next stop or keep in touch while on a Williamsburg vacation.

"We serve as their sort of home away from home, from the standpoint of free Internet access," said John Moorman, regional library director. "People can come in, check their e-mail at home or, heaven forbid, at work if they want to."

They also can get "park packs" with guidebooks, maps and other tools to explore destinations such as Jamestown and York River State Park.

The library can help launch myriad outdoor adventures, from bouncing along the mountain bike trails at Freedom Park to paddling a kayak on Powhatan Creek.

The latter is a favorite destination of John Oast, a founder of the Williamsburg Kayak Fishing Association.

"It's very close to the historic area and very easy to get to. It's a beautiful launch facility," he said of the put-in at James City County's Powhatan Creek Park on Jamestown Road.

You can head downstream toward the James River and historic Jamestown Island or upstream into a swampy area thick with cypress trees.

"It's very secluded and has a lot of vegetation," Oast said. "It is tidal, though, so there is current."

You'll need your own boat for Powhatan Creek and some other waters, such as New Quarter Park on Lakeshead Drive in York County. But boat rentals are available at several places, including Chickahominy Riverfront Park on state Route 5, Williamsburg's Waller Mill Park on state Route 645 and York River State Park on state Route 606 near Croaker.

The state park also has a new saltwater-fishing pier, a freshwater pond, a network of hiking and multiuse trails and two tracks designated specifically for mountain bikers.

Off-road bicyclists also will find trails galore at Freedom Park, which is on Centerville Road by Jamestown High School. Like much in the Williamsburg area, the 689-acre park is rich in history. Its roots date to the 1650s, and it was home to one of the nation's first free black settlements.

Though under the James City umbrella, Freedom Park is one of many facilities operating through a cooperative arrangement among the three localities -- James City and York counties and Williamsburg. Residents of each can take their boards to Skate Park on Longhill Road or their swimming trunks to Quarterpath Park on Quarterpath Road.

One of the most popular recreational activities is cycling along the Colonial Parkway between Williamsburg and Jamestown. A round trip from Yorktown to Jamestown and back measures about 50 miles.

As one cyclist noted on a Web site, riders should take care to observe safety measures.

"The police are pretty picky here and will pull you for not staying single file."

If you do get pulled over, count your lucky stars that many moons have passed since anyone was locked in the stocks.