Framework for the Future 2030

Parks, Recreation and Tourism Goals, Policies, Strategies and Implementation Actions

The long-range Parks and Recreation goals are:

• Provide adequate park space to serve the recreational needs of the residents of Newport News.
• Develop additional waterfront access consistent with state of the art water quality management principles.
• Develop a system of greenways and recreational trails.
• Encourage the preservation of the unique natural and cultural features of Newport News, providing opportunities for education, tourism and recreation.
• Beautify major thoroughfares.
• Develop rehabilitation plans for existing park and recreation facilities.
• Develop special programs for all youth to address issues that restrict their access to recreational programming as it relates to costs, lack of transportation and lack of parental involvement.
• Provide community recreation centers to provide year-round recreation and educational programs.
• Develop innovative approaches to addressing funding shortages, including public/private partnerships, inter-agency cooperation, volunteer programs, fund raising and donation drives.
• Expand program monitoring to include data on participants and maintain waiting lists to better quantify the level of demand. Adjust programs accordingly.
• Continue to expand the level of public information and involvement in Parks and Recreation.
• Protect And Conserve The City's Vistas, Green Areas And Open Space.
• Provide adequate staffing, including Park Rangers, to provide proper facility maintenance, program implementation, and visitor protection at all parks and recreation facilities.

The Framework for the Future sets forth the following goals, policies, strategies and implementation for Parks and Recreation.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.1:

1.1.1: Prepare and adopt a park acquisition and development plan for new public parks in areas identified as being deficient in parkland.

1.1.2: Aggressively seek state enabling legislation that allows municipalities to require parkland dedication (or cash in lieu of land in appropriate situations) as a condition of residential development approvals.

1.1.3: Aggressively seek federal and state grant funding for parks and related equipment and incorporate specific proposals from the Framework for the Future in the City's Capital Improvements Program.

Strategy 1.4.1: Develop indoor and outdoor recreation facilities available to the public, including gymnasiums, at all school sites.

Strategy 1.5.1: Acquire abandoned, deteriorated sites for parks. 

Strategy 1.5.2: Renovate the former neighborhood park off of Municipal Lane adjacent to the Main Street Library.

Strategy 1.5.3: Develop a new community park on City owned property adjacent to Skiffe's Creek Reservoir.

Strategy 1.5.4: Acquire sites and develop two Community Parks in Planning District IV, with special consideration to park development of 50-100 acres of watershed property adjacent to Planning District 4 with access from Denbigh Boulevard.

Strategy 1.5.5: Acquire and develop land expanding the Young's Mill historic park to include a stream valley trail connecting to Boxley Boulevard.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.5:

1.5.1: Prepare and adopt a park rehabilitation plan in a format that meets the standards required by the Federal Government for its grant programs.

1.5.2: Have the Departments of Planning and Parks, Recreation and Tourism coordinate the development of Master Plans for the Municipal Lane and Skiffe's Creek Park sites.

1.5.3: Fund the Municipal Lane and Skiffe's Creek Park site and facility improvements through the City's Capital Improvements program and through available grants.

1.5.4: Solicit private donations/sponsors and investigate cooperative and joint public/ private partnerships that promote the development of the Municipal Lane and Skiffe's Creek Parks.

1.5.5: Acquire additional property south of the new Midtown Center for future park development.

Strategy 1.6.1: Develop a Master Plan for Newport News Park that includes the integration of a world class “Botanical Garden” at the park. 

Strategy 1.6.2: Investigate the inclusion of ball fields and swimming facilities in Newport News Park in future development plans.

Strategy 1.7.1: The City Planning Commission shall review all City-owned land for use and potential as parks, recreation and open space in accord with the adopted Land Use Plan.

Strategy 1.7.2:  Such proposals for sale or exchange of existing park land or Waterworks owned property shall be reviewed by the City Planning Commission and City Council in public hearings that are fully advertised and open for public comment.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.7

1.7.1:  Develop an official city departmental review of all surplus property that is proposed for disposal from various city agencies, e.g., School Division and Department of Public Utilities. 

Strategy 1.8.1: Replacement land and/or facilities of comparable recreational value shall be provided whenever park or Waterworks owned property is sold or reforested to the point where its recreational value has diminished.

Strategy 1.8.2: Consideration should be given to addressing the deficiencies in parkland and/or facilities in the service area impacted by a proposed land sale or trade.

Strategy 1.9.1: Continue to solicit citizen input to provide advice and recommendations on the implementation of the Riverview Farm Park Master Plan.

Strategy 1.9.2: Provide for regular citizen and staff review of the Riverview Farm Park Master Plan to insure it remains compatible with its original design intent.  Recommend revisions to the City Council as appropriate.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.9:

1.9.1: Fund site and facility development through the City's Capital Improvements Program and using available grants.

1.9.2: Solicit private donations and investigate cooperative and joint public-private partnerships that promote Park development.

1.9.3:  Evaluate the cost effectiveness and feasibility of reusing existing building facilities on the Riverview Farm Park property to use to house an environmental education program.  The program would create awareness of environmental concerns and educate the public about local flora and fauna.     

Strategy 1.10.1: Provide for regular citizen and staff review of the Hampton Roads Waterfront Parks Plan to insure it remains compatible and consistent with its original purpose and intent.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.10:

1.10.1: Fund park improvements for King-Lincoln Park, Anderson Park, Peterson's Yacht Basin, Chesapeake Avenue Linear Park and Salter's Creek through the City's Capital Improvements Program and using available grants.

1.10.2: Solicit private donations and investigate cooperative and joint public-private partnerships that promote the implementation of the Waterfront Parks Plan. 

Strategy 1.11.1: Continue to implement the Stoney Run Park design Master Plan developed by the Landfill Park Citizen's Advisory Task Force and adopted by the City Council on August 11, 1998.

Strategy 1.11.2: Provide for regular citizen and staff review of the Stoney Run Park Master Plan to insure it remains compatible with its original design and intent. Recommend revisions to the City Council as appropriate.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.11:

1.11.1: Fund site and facility development through the City's Capital Improvements Program and using available grants.

1.11.2: Solicit private donations/sponsors and investigate cooperative and joint public-private partnerships that promote Park development.

Strategy 1.12.1: Using citizen input, develop a Master Plan, including waterfront access, for the Lee's Mill park property.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.12:

1.12.1: Fund site and facility development through the City's Capital Improvements Program and using available grants.

1.12.2: Solicit private donations/sponsors and investigate cooperative and joint public-private partnerships that promote Park development.

Strategy 1.13.1: Ensure that the Department of Planning periodically reviews (every 2 years) available land for potential use and value as neighborhood, community, and district parks.  Coordinate this review process with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Strategy 1.13.2:  Provide funding to implement the approved design and other related improvements for the development of Martin Luther King, Jr., (MLK) Plaza.

IMPLEMENTATION 1.13: 

1.13.1: Create dedicated fields for football practice and play as well as for other athletic activities as needed.

Strategy 2.1.1: Improve waterfront access at existing parks. Identify and acquire additional waterfront property as it becomes available.

Strategy 2.1.2: Develop new waterfront parks on existing City property including the Menchville Waterfront Park in Riverview Farm Park.

Strategy 2.1.3: Initiate discussions with the Mariners' Museum to ensure public access to the trails and waterfront.

Strategy 2.1.4:  Expand the recreational water uses at Menchville Marina, including water safety classes and boating instruction. 

IMPLEMENTATION 2.1:

2.1.1: Prepare site and facility plans for specific public waterfront sites.

2.1.2: Fund site and facility improvements through the City's Capital Improvements Program and using available grants. 

2.1.3: Prepare plans, and revise zoning to allow restaurants and working watermen activities, recommended by the adopted Deep Creek/Menchville Plan, at the Menchville Waterfront Park. Fund these improvements through the City's Capital Improvements Program.

2.1.4:  Seek additional funds through the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism budget to fund additional programs and activities at waterfront parks.

Strategy 3.1.1: Preserve land adjacent to stream corridors in new developments as natural areas and for recreational trails.

Strategy 3.1.2: Identify and preserve forested tracts, wetlands and other scenic or environmentally sensitive areas.

Strategy 3.1.3:  Identify, plan and develop a specific trail corridor project as a prototype for linking residential neighborhoods and activity centers such as parks, schools, historic sites, employment centers and community centers.

Strategy 3.1.4: Greenway Plans should address related water quality issues such as:

1. Establishment or preservation of riparian buffer
2. Public access impacts and opportunities
3. Possible water use conflicts
4. Bank and shoreline erosion concerns
5. Existing floodplain development

IMPLEMENTATION 3.1:

3.1.1: Design trails for priority corridors, beginning with Stoney Run Creek. Identify public rights-of-way, connecting links, trail design and amenities, costs and funding sources.

3.1.2: Prepare trail plans for other priority corridors including:

1. Patrick Henry CommerCenter
   1. Salter's Creek
   2. Newmarket Creek
   3. Hampton Roads Waterfront
   4. The Historic Downtown
   5. The Southeast Community
   6. The North End/Huntington Heights
   7. Chesapeake Avenue

3.1.3:  Require that the private sector preserve buffers along stream corridors and wet-lands and include bikeways and recreational trails in new developments and redevelopment projects.

3.1.4: Acquire the necessary right-of-way through fee simple purchase and/or negotiated development agreements.

3.1.5:  Include open space buffers, recreational trails and related facilities in public sector development plans which impact the network identified on the Parks & Recreation Plan Map.

3.1.6: Coordinate trail plans with all road improvement projects. Incorporate recreational trails and safe and convenient trail crossings into the design of new roads and roadway improvements.

3.1.7: Seek state and federal funding for recreational trails.

3.1.8: Develop greenway corridor plans for:

1. Skiffe's Creek     
2. Warwick River  
3. Lucas Creek   
4. Deep Creek  
5. Fishers Creek  
6. Salter's Creek   
7. Newmarket Creek
8. And others where appropriate. 

3.1.9: Facilitate local access to parks from neighborhoods through the use of trails and paths, either as part of a subdivision plan or as part of new infrastructure improvements. 

3.1.10: Develop a city-wide trails plan that emphasizes the connectivity to city parks.   

Strategy 3.2.1: Adopt the revised Bikeways Plan, which identifies study corridors for future bike trails.

Strategy 3.2.2: Coordinate the trail plan with adjacent jurisdictions, including Hampton, York County, James City County and the National Park Service.

IMPLEMENTATION 3.2:

3.2.1: Fund trail construction through a combination of federal and state funds and the City's Capital Improvements Program.

3.2.2: Develop trail maps and brochures actively promoting bicycle use as both recreation and as an alternative mode of transportation. Develop opportunities for bicycles to be used in conjunction with other forms of transportation.

3.2.3: Changes to the Bikeways Plan will be administered by the Director of Planning and will be incorporated as amendments to the Framework for the Future Transportation Chapter, until such time as these plans are formally revised.

Strategy 3.3.1: Officially adopt as part of the City Ordinance and Engineering Design Criteria Manual bikeway classifications. (See Transportation Chapter.)

Strategy 4.1.1: Develop a design manual demonstrating innovative site planning solutions to preserve wetlands, forested tracts, historic sites and techniques to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act.

IMPLEMENTATION 4.1:

4.1.1: Amend the subdivision, site plan and soil and erosion control ordinances to encourage cluster development on sensitive sites. Accompany the ordinance revisions with a Design Manual.

Strategy 4.2.1: Include the acquisition of environmentally and culturally significant sites as parkland, for passive recreation, in the City's Capital Improvements Program.

Strategy 4.3.1: Appoint a task force to identify those resources at risk and to draft recommendations for their preservation.

Strategy 4.3.2: Ensure park interpreters and rangers are adequately trained to recognize and appropriately respond to adverse impacts to cultural resources in parks and green space areas. 

IMPLEMENTATION 4.3:

4.3.1: Adopt and implement the recommendations of the Task Forces regarding the preservation of cultural resources.

Strategy 4.4.1: Identify and inventory the unique natural and historical assets of the City's public parks. 

Strategy 4.4.2: Increase the criminal penalties for removing, defacing, or destroying cultural and/or other natural resources located in parks and on other City property.

IMPLEMENTATION 4.4:

4.4.1: Develop a Master Plan that interprets--through programs, displays, and publications--the unique natural and historical assets of the City's public park areas.

4.4.2: Develop specialized management plans for those natural features and resources that are threatened--or potentially threatened--by impacts from high park visitation, park development or habitat loss/alteration.

4.4.3: Develop specialized plans to help manage the rare or unique ecological areas such as the Grafton Ephemeral Pond Complex in Newport News Park and the Salter's Creek marsh in Anderson Park.

4.4.4: Develop management plans for unique historical areas such as the Civil War earthworks in Newport News Park, the site of Warwicktowne at Riverview Farm Park, Lee Hall Mansion and Endview Plantation.

4.4.5: Revise City codes and ordinances to increase the penalties for removing, defacing or destroying cultural and/or natural resources located in parks and on other City property.

Strategy 5.1.1: Promote and expand the Clean Community's "Adopt-A-Spot" pro-gram to include donations for equipment and landscaping.

Strategy 5.1.2: Provide annual updates to the City's Street tree inventory and develop a public landscape master plan to coordinate the on-going maintenance of existing public landscaping with new construction. Stress the use of low-maintenance plant materials and design in new public landscape projects.

Strategy 5.1.3: Develop passive mini-parks for use as rest areas for bicycle and transit riders and to beautify bus stops and other locations along major thoroughfares.

IMPLEMENTATION 5.1:

5.1.1:  Continue to fund the Visual Improvements Program as an element of the City's Capital Improvements Program.

5.1.2: Amend the Site Plan Ordinance to require more tree preservation in new developments.

5.1.3: Obtain the authority from the General Assembly to develop and enact a tree preservation ordinance.

Strategy 6.1.1: Apply the first order of priority to upgrading King-Lincoln and Anderson Parks. Implement the Park Master Plan developed by the Hampton Roads Waterfront Parks Task Force and adopted by the City Council on August 23, 1994.

Strategy 6.1.2: Prominently display phone numbers in parks for patrons to communicate maintenance needs and problems they observe.  Distribute contact information and phone numbers to adjacent residents via the “ParkWatch” and related community programs.

Strategy 6.1.3: Continue to coordinate school and recreational activities to reduce overcrowding and over parking at school sites that host recreation programming.

Strategy 6.1.4: Continue to give high priority to improving recreation facilities at school sites that serve as

IMPLEMENTATION 6.1:

6.1.1: Plan rehabilitation projects as the City's first priority for capital improvements involving parks and recreation.

6.1.2: Work in close collaboration with the School Board to jointly plan improvements to public access and recreation facilities at combined park/school sites.

6.1.3: Continue to ensure that all existing and new City playground areas meet appropriate CPSC, ASTM and related safety guidelines and recommendations.

6.1.4: Provide for the inspection and maintenance of City playground areas in accordance with guidelines recommended by the National Recreation & Park Association's National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI).

Strategy 7.1.1: Continue the inter-city soccer and tennis programs, the youth Ride-On! program and the C. Waldo Scott Youth Center for HOPE programs.

Strategy 7.1.2: Seek ways to expand these programs and support future community initiatives, such as Keeping Our Kids Safe and other at risk youth programs.

IMPLEMENTATION 7.1:

7.1.1: Apply for Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery program funding, as available, and seek private donations to help fund the summer camp pilot projects.

Strategy 8.1.1: Identify potential sites for the construction of at least two additional indoor community centers to be located in the Southeast Community and in the North District.

Strategy 8.1.2: Combine construction of new centers, where feasible, with the conversion of older facilities and target areas of greatest recreational needs first.

Strategy 8.1.3:  Establish user fees to offset operational costs as appropriate.

IMPLEMENTATION 8.1:

8.1.1: Develop a priority order and schedule for building new community recreation centers as an element of the long range master plan for the Newport News Park System; and, program funds to complete the recreation centers according to the schedule.

8.1.2: Keep the new community recreation centers open during days and times to meet user demand.

8.1.3:  Fully fund an construct the North District Recreation Center.

Strategy 9.1.1: Expand to other areas of the City public private partnerships such as the C. Waldo Scott (Youth) Center for HOPE, the Inner City Soccer Camp and An Achievable Dream Tennis Program.

Strategy 9.1.2: Develop a public information campaign aimed at sponsorship and fund raising.

Strategy 9.1.3: Continue to investigate opportunities for jointly funded recreation projects with adjacent municipalities.

IMPLEMENTATION 9.1:

9.1.1:  Introduce specific legislation to the General Assembly empowering municipalities to require the dedication of park land (or cash in lieu of dedication in appropriate situations) in new residential developments.

9.1.2: Require that homeowner association documents establish maintenance standards and funding for commonly owned open space and recreation facilities.

9.1.3: Investigate potential mechanisms for imposing fees in the event public maintenance is required due to an association's inability to adequately maintain its facilities.

9.1.4: Develop review criteria for processing requests that the City assume responsibility for ongoing maintenance and management of previously private parks, open space or recreational facilities

9.1.5: Continue to explore potential agreements or joint-ventures by which the City can workwith private recreation entities to serve lower income residents, the elderly and other special groups.

9.1.6:  Update the City's Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Action Plan and apply for grants as they become available.

9.1.7: Develop, publish and distribute a Parks and Recreation "gifts catalog" detailing needs and opportunities for private contributions.

9.1.8:  Require the provision of public recreational areas (e.g., bikeways, walking trails, greenspace) in new commercial/office/industrial developments and in new residential developments.

Strategy 10.1.1:  Collect user data and statistics to help develop accurate profiles of program participation and demand. 

IMPLEMENTATION 10.1:

10.1.1: Develop a computerized database listing park facilities and programs. Input user information, including participation rates, waiting lists and an inventory of facility conditions. Prepare an annual report that also meets the requirements of federal grant programs.

Strategy 11.1.1: Continue to seek public input in the development and preservation of parks and natural areas and to assist in establishing funding priorities.

Strategy 11.1.2: Conduct user surveys and solicit neighborhood input in developing plans for specific park facilities, including refurbishing and updating equipment.

Strategy 11.1.3:  Increase public awareness of the program offerings through effective publicity, including distribution in local shopping centers, grocery stores, school teachers, day-care, PTA's, local newspapers, cable TV and the "Information and Referral Services" of United Way.

Strategy 11.1.4:  Create a citizen “Parks Advisory Board” to assist in overseeing the development and preservation of parks and natural areas and to assist in recommending related capital projects.

Strategy 11.1.5: Ensure that commonly held open space within Planned Residential Developments is properly designed, developed and maintained.

IMPLEMENTATION 11.1

11.1.1: Solicit private donations and promote cooperative public and private partner ships, where appropriate, to help promote and expand park and recreation programs, services, and facilities.

11.1.2:  Work with homeowner associations to establish maintenance standards for inclusion in homeowners’ association documents and funding for commonly owned open space and recreational facilities.

Strategy 12.1.1:  Continue to support the Newport News Green Foundation to fulfill its mission of promoting the creation and preservation of green space in Newport News by providing advocacy, acquisition, and assistance to others.

Strategy 12.1.2: Support tax credits for open space and green areas donated in fee simple or by easements to the Newport News Green Foundation.

Strategy 12.1.3: Identify green areas, open space, woods, historic areas, historic areas, stream valleys, buffers, views and vistas and other natural features in the City that should be preserved by the conservation easement program.

IMPLEMENTATION 12.1:

12.1.1: The Department of Planning will be the lead agency identifying priority sites for acquisition by donated conservation easements as part of the Green Foundation. 

Strategy 13.1:  Budget appropriate funds for the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department and assess options for funding through the use of volunteers and the augmentation of City Farm inmates where appropriate.

Implementation 13.1:

13.1.1:  Increase attention to the funding levels as part of the budget process to ensure that staffing and maintenance levels are commensurate with the mission of the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department.