Health and Wellness Trail: Coming Soon!

As part of its implementation of its Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) Implementation Grant, the City of Newport News will be creating a Health and Wellness Trail Network. This project is one of the Critical Community Improvements being supported by CNI funds. The Health and Wellness Trail Network is a place-making activity intended to connect the various nodes of activity and investments areas within the Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood (MRCN) and surrounding community to promote health, wellness, social connectivity, and access to economic development opportunity, and to highlight the rich history of the community.

The Health and Wellness Trail Network will create an additional spine through MRCN, extending from the waterfront at Pinkett’s Beach to 18th Street, and connect to other transportation corridors, including the complete streets improvements on Ivy Avenue and 16th Street, the proposed alignment for the Birthplace of America Trail on 16th Street and Madison Avenue, and broader connections to the greater Southeast Community and Downtown.

Engaging Our Community

Did you miss our last community feedback meeting?

Watch the replay and download the files below.

There has been robust community engagement in the planning and development of a health and wellness trail network through Newport News’ Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood, including connectivity to the broader Southeast Community, as well as the City’s Downtown.

The overall goal of the health and wellness trail network is to “stitch” together the various nodes of activity and investment areas in the Marshall-Ridley Choice Neighborhood, while creating a variety of amenities that will activate public spaces and streetscapes. In parallel, input has been received regarding placemaking amenities for the Ridley Place redevelopment site, including a main segment of the health and wellness trail. There have been in-person and virtual meetings as well as surveys to receive input from the community.

Most recently, a community engagement session was hosted on November 4 to discuss both of these project elements and the meeting recording and handouts can be found below.

There is still time to share your comments with us.

Please email any additional comments or questions to Delceno Miles, at Delceno@TheMilesAgency.com, by November 24, 2021.