Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism FY 18 Annual Report

Newport News PARKS, RECREATION & TOURISM

ANNUAL REPORT Enhancing Quality of Life

Our Mission Our Values

To enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of Newport News through the provision of high quality facilities, programs and services that are safe, accessible and appealing.

commitment, caring, collaboration

What's Inside

Page 2, FY 2018 Annual Report

Letter from the Director.....3 Our Team.....4

Volunteers.....4 MAP.....5 Budget.....6 Statistics.....7-9 Highlights.....10-11 Recreation for All Ages.....12-14 Cultural Arts & History.....15 Special Events.....16 Tourism.....17 Our Furry Friends.....18 Did you Know?.....19 Forecast.....20 Open Spaces.....21

Letter from the Director Dear Friends, This past year has been an exciting time for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. During FY 2018 (July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) we once again produced a wide variety of top quality special events for the residents and visitors to Newport News. These included the 4th of July Stars in the Sky, Children’s Festival of Friends, Celebration in Lights, One City-One Celebration, World Arts Festival and Hollydazzle—to name just a few. Together, over 650,000 people attended these events.

During this year, our Historic Services Division worked with the Braxton-Perkins Post #25 to host The Moving Wall at Huntington Park. This nationally recognized half-size replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., drew several thousand spectators to the Park in September. Another historical project of special note was the start of the archaeological field work at Warwicktowne, the almost forgotten early Warwick County seat that operated from 1680-1813. This year also saw the final phase of the renovation of the historic Lee Hall Depot—scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018. All that will remain is outfitting the completed building with exhibits and period furnishings.

During FY 2018 we also worked diligently to replace and refurbish a variety of parks and recreation facilities and amenities—including the athletic lighting at Deer Park’s MonFalcone Field, picnic shelters at Newport News Park and several park and school playgrounds. Ten tennis courts at the Huntington Park Tennis Center were resurfaced, new baseball dugouts were added to Anderson Park and parking areas at Deer Park and Huntington Park received new asphalt surfacing.

The City’s Tourism Division was relocated to a new ground-level storefront office at the adjacent 702 Town Center Drive. This move increases both their visibility and accessibility.

Outdoor art murals were added to several locations in the City and we kicked off the Hilton Village Centennial Celebration with a multitude of events, activities and streetscape improvements.

All of this (and more!) was part of FY 2018 while our regularly scheduled programming and services were also carried on with dedication and passion from your team of recreation, park, tourism and animal welfare professionals. Our instructional programs, athletic leagues, school age programs, animal services, golf course operations, active lifestyle programs, animal shelter, cultural arts, landscape services, park operations and more have continued to offer quality, cutting edge programs, facilities and services to enhance and improve the lives of our residents and visitors.

We look forward to continuing this work and making additional improvements in FY 2019!

Administrative Office: Fountain Plaza Two 700 Town Center Drive, Suite 320 Newport News, Virginia 23606 www.nnparks.com

Michael D. Poplawski Director

Photography & Graphics Credits with thanks to: Megan Kearney, Renee Popernack, Michael D. Poplawski, Meghan Reed, Jeff Sykes and Newport News Tourism Page 3, FY 2018 Annual Report

Parks, Recreation & Tourism PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES

Administrative Services

Parks

animal welfare * historic services * landscape services leeward Marina operations * Deer run golf club operations NN Park campground * park maintenance * park operations * Resource management * Visitor Protection

Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter

Recreation

finance * human resources * payroll

adoption * animal surrenders * animal behavior owner reclaims * veterinary services

active lifestyles * aquatics * athletic field maintenance * athletics * community center operations * cultural arts inclusion services * instructional programs recreation programs * special facilities * youth programs

Tourism

visitor center * group marketing sports marketing * outreach Special Events

Information Technology

200 Full-Time Employees

400 Part-Time Employees

3,140 Volunteers 100,746 volunteer hours 48 FTE's

We couldn't do it without our Volunteers, Staff and all of our supporting City Departments!

Page 4, FY 2018 Annual Report

Where to find us

Page 5, FY 2018 Annual Report

Budget WHERE FUNDING CAME FROM

(designated funds from Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson and York County)

(money provided by citizens of Newport News through taxes)

(money generated by Department through fees, registrations, etc.)

(special funding provided through City bond sales - generally for projects that have a life cycle of more than twenty years.)

WHERE FUNDING WENT

INVESTMENT PER RESIDENT

General Fund Parks, Recreation & Tourism = 23 cents per day Animal Services & NN Contribution to Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter = 3 cents per day Page 6, FY 2018 Annual Report

By the Numbers Athletics

Community Centers

61,585 Open Recreation Participants

1529 Rental Permits Issued

11,889 Event Participants

66 Community Events

35 Tennis Courts

86 outdoor basketball hoops

88 Athletic Fields

6 Sand Volleyball Courts

1,520 Adult Athletic Participants

2,742 Youth Athletic Participants

377 FIELD HOCKEY PARTICIPANTS

1,796 YOUTH SOCCER PARTICIPANTS

Recreation Programs

8,324 13 Instructional Gymnastics Class Participants Competitions

18 Senior Trips Taken

395 Active Lifestyles Participants

Cultural Arts & History

9,945 Virginia War Museum Visitors

52 Historic services events

3,190 Historic event participants

2,363 Lee Hall Plantation Visitors

1,345 Endview Plantation Visitors

1,211 newsome house visitors

Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center 21,308 Visitors 245 room rentals

686 54 YOUTH BASKETBALL ADULT SOFTBALL PARTICIPANTS TEAMS

Aquatics

3 Aquatic Facilities Aquatics Participants Brittingham-Midtown Community Center (BMCC) BMCC - 50,152 Doris MIller Community Center Doris Miller - 3,704 Huntington Park Beach Huntington Beach - 18,127 Page 7, FY 2018 Annual Report

By the Numbers Park Visitation

37 Parks Over 2.8 million visitors

9,926 campsites rented 188 Campsites

1,081 Bike Rentals 16,743 mountain bikers

50 Hiking & Bike Trail Miles

126 Community Gardeners

70 annual passes 274 daily Archery Visits

1,661 Shelter Rentals 39 Picnic Shelters

Celebration in Lights 24,119 Vehicles 119,638 Visitors

3,073 Disc Golf Players

5,596 Boat Rentals 8 public boat ramps

50,293 rounds of golf 13,655 driving range visits 15 tournaments

1,124 Annual & transient Marina Slip Rentals

281 Dog Park Registrations

105 Playgrounds

300,000 Trail visitors

Park Services

538 Work Orders

Tree Work Orders

Wildlife Rehabilitation 850 animals treated Page 8, FY 2018 Annual Report

By the Numbers Youth Programs

Our youth programs offer opportunities for children to explore their minds, talents and abilities in music, reading, home living, community exploration, science, art and drama. our child care programs are licensed by the Virginia Department of social services. We also offer drop in recreation summer playground programs, George S. Green summer camp at Doris Miller Community Center, special events for family and youth throughout the city, Spark program assistance, and usda meals for children.

Community Events for Families

Spooktacular - 318 guests * Healthy Youth Day - over 500 guests Kickin' for the Cause - raised $9,708.54 for Pink Collar Cares Lights on afterschool! * Nautical Mile * Mayor's play ball - 325 participants

Page 9, FY 2018 Annual Report

FY 2018 Highlights Notables

8 staff received / maintained Professional certification Our Tourism Division moved to a new street front office archaeological field work began at Warwicktowne historical site New artistic outdoor murals installed * The Hilton Village Centennial Celebration kicked off

Completed interior renovations at lee hall depot

Celebrated 25th Anniversary of "Celebration in Lights" at Newport News Park - the 1st drive through light show in Virginia Page 10, FY 2018 Annual Report

FY 2018 Highlights Capital Projects

Falcone Field on M at t en em ac pl Re g n Athletic Field Lighti Swamp Bridge Deck Boards Replaced at Newport news Park

Security camera replacements at recreation centers

Repaved parking areas at Hun tington Park Construction of dugouts at Anderson Park

resurfacing courts at Huntington Park Tennis Center

2 Large Picnic Shelter Replacements Newport News Park Repaved parking areas at Deer Park Page 11, FY 2018 Annual Report

Recreation for All Ages Athletics

One of the most important things you can do to improve your health is get moving! Our Department offers a multitude of programs and activities to keep you physically and mentally fit. From open recreation, drop in activities at our centers and facilities, to organized leagues - our athletics programs offer our citizens the opportunity to stay active and healthy. We offer tennis at the phenomenal Huntington Park Tennis Center and the Achiveable Dream Tennis Center. We offer swimming lessons and aquatic fitness at our Olympic size swimming pool and general aquatics recreation at our interactive Doris Miller Pool and fun in the sun at our Huntington Park Beach where you can partake in some beach volleyball in between naps on the sand! We offer adult and youth sports leagues in a variety of sports, and we keep sporting event fields in fantastic shape all year long. As if all that isn't enough - Parks, Recreation and Tourism also manages the Stoney Run Athletic Complex with five multi-use athletic fields, electronic scoreboards and the capacity for over 1,000 spectators. So get moving - and join our athletic programs today!

The Olympic size pool at

Brittingham-midto wn Community Center

Active Lifestyles

In Newport News, getting older, means getting better with our active lifestyles division. With a mission to provide opportunities for active living, the active lifestyles division provides great opportunities to make friends and stay sharp - both mentally and physically. With offerings from arts and crafts to yoga - there is something for everyone. Annually, active lifestyles also produces a golf tournament and a celebration of civic responsibility in our lifelong citizenship awards. We operate five senior centers and offer multiple trips for those fifty and older year round - just one more way that we support health and wellness in our community!

Instructional Classes

If athletic leagues are not your style - you can still get moving with one of our instructional classes.

Check out zumba, yoga, aerobics, martial arts, tai chi or even boot camp.

Page 12, FY 2018 Annual Report

pants i c i t r a P ifestyles Active L

Recreation for All Ages

Instructional Programs

Have you ever wanted to take up a new hobby or learn a new skill? Our instructional programs offers opportunities for just that! Learn to sew, knit or paint...take a computer class, or get into a yoga pose...find some discipline in the martial arts or learn a new language... all of this is possible in one of our 1,182 classes offered annually. there are classes for children, youth, families, and mature adults - bring an old friend, or come make some new ones. Classes are offered at multiple locations throughout the city. If you don't see one you are looking for - let us know and we will try to find an instructor and add the course!

Flipateers

The Flipateers are a competitive and show gymnastics team comprised of children over six years of age through fourteen. membership is competitive and requires a try out to be selected. The team participates in shows, parades and competitions.

Superkids

Superkids are also a show gymnastics team, and has members as young as 4 1/2 years old.

City Arts Dance Company

City Arts Dance Company is a recreational dance group that has been performing in local festivals, competitions and recitals throughout the area for nearly a decade delighting us with their amazing talents. the dance company is comprised of students ages 4.5 and up and selected through auditions.

Page 13, FY 2018 Annual Report

Recreation for All Ages Newport news Parks and Recreation operates six community centers that are conveniently located to enhance the quality of life for our citizens. These centers offer instructional classes, open recreation opportunities, licensed child care programs, rental spaces for community and personal events, and event programming. Specialty programming is offered for seniors in our active lifestyles program in six senior centers.

Denbigh Community Center

Special Activities include: North District Food Drive, Indoor league field hockey, lee hall train show, one city marathon expo, college fair, after prom, vla aquatics symposium, tango marathon, earth day, and the mayor's cup blood drive.

Brittingham-Midtown Community Center

Special Activities include:Latch-on event, crossfit competition, susan G. Komen breast cancer fundraiser, peninsula task force on aging, lifelong citizenship awards, go green & virginia recreation and park society's summer survival conference.

Doris Miller Community Center

Special Activities include: March Madness tournament, funny with bunny eggstravaganza, mother's day craft palooza, community back to school bash, kwanzaa, thanksgiving feeding, & the wickham avenue alliance summer program..

Courthouse Way Community Center

Special Activities include: Denbigh Days and instructional showcase, STEP Summer playgrounds, & lifeline health screenings.

Riverview Gymnastics Center

Special Activities include: flipateers, superkids, city arts dance company, birthday parties, & instructional recital.

Downtown Maritime Community Center

Page 14, FY 2018 Annual Report

Special Activities include: multi-purpose rooms, conference room and dance room.

The center houses instructional and Active lifestyle programs.

Cultural Arts & History Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center

In October of 2008, the Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center opened its doors to highlight art and culture in our city. with performances, galleries, classes, and community events, Downing Gross is dedicated to building community through the arts.

Highlights

Free Summer Movie Series 55 Artists' Original Works displayed in our galleries 27 Artists' Original Works sent to China for exhibition Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka - Community Production

Historic Services

History comes to life within our historical services

Pearl Bailey Hidden Gems Dance Series Ella Fitzgerald Music Festival Holiday Frost

division. From an active archaeological dig to a moving tribute to our war veterans - it has been a successful and meaningful year. Programs and activities go on year round at our Virginia War Museum, Endview Plantation, Lee Hall Plantation and the Newsome House. Work is still being completed on the Lee Hall Depot.

War Museum The Moving Wall at Virginia Highlights

w Plantation ie v En at t en tm ac En World War II Re-

Civil War Summer Camp * World War II Camp * Gaming Camps * Guns of August * Moving Wall * Veteran's Day * Legion of Valor Convention * Battle of the Hook Tour * St. Nick at Endview * Great Easter Egg Hunt * Sister City Tour * Civil War Living History Weekend * Summer Celebration Wine Festival * Perkioman Bus 'Ghost" Tour Page 15, FY 2018 Annual Report

Special Events Each year, the Department's Special Events Division works with our entire team to produce epic special events to be enjoyed by the entire family. The following list represents the major events that were produced by or in conjunction with our Department and other city resources in FY18.

llydazzle o H e h t r o f y k s t up the fireworks ligaht Oyster Point City Center event

World arts festvia l performance at city center

s nt e Ev r o 4th of July Stars in the Sky j Ma Children's Fishing Clinic 3rd Annual World Arts Festival 46th Annual Newport News Fall Festival Oyster Roast 25th Annual Celebration in Lights 14th Annual Hollydazzle One City One Celebration

with r e b m e M m a s' Te One City m a r g o r P h t u Yo r the ile o f t n a p i c i t r a pa ical M t u a N n o h Marat Page 16, FY 2018 Annual Report

29th Annual Children's Festival of Friends Ella Fitzgerald Festival King Lincoln Park Day Lee Hall Summer Wine Festival Mayor's Concert Series

Tourism Newport News' great location and rich history make it a prime location for tourism. Our tourism division provides services for prospective visitors to our city while we celebrate Ships, History and the Great Outdoors!

ism r u o t e h t f o t l u s e r 3,047 jobs are a .1 percent increase 1 a s i t a h t

. y r t s u d in . s r e b m u n s ’ r a e y r o over the pri

Newport News Tourism Office

In Newport News, revenue from tourism in 2017 reached $307.8 million in the city which resulted in $10.5 million in local tax revenue and $13 Million in state tax revenue in 2017

Major Functions

Visitor Center Operations Information Distribution Sports Marketing Group Marketing Outreach Tourism Brochure Development Customer service training

Newport News Touri sm Office

Come Stay with Us! Page 17, FY 2018 Annual Report

Caring For Our Furry Friends Newport News Parks, Recreation and Tourism operates the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter on behalf of the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and York County. We also operate the City's animal welfare division - which services newport news and poquoson. Wildlife animal issues are handled by our park ranger team, and we operate a wildlife rehabilitation center in newport news park. We also are home to the city's dog park "fido field" to give your pet its own recreation opportunity!

5,677 total animals entered our shelter during FY2018

of those, the shelter was able to:

2,664 Dogs 2,668 345 Other Cats

reunite 897 animals with their owners adopt 2,275 animals to their new 'furever' home transfer 568 to other agencies Animal Welfare

Highlights

Statistics

$50,000 Grant from the Petco foundation for an off site adoption vehicle Installation of a new electronic marquee installation of new colorful and inviting signage intense marketing campaigns, including 'kitten showers' and clear the shelter activities

Calls for Service: Aggressive stray / attacks - 133 animal bites - 167 animal cruelty / neglect - 687 barking - 108 deceased animal pick up - 315 sick or injured animal - 411 stray animals / feral cats - 2,941 wildlife complaints - 272

803 Viola tion notices a nd letters iss ued 1,613 ANIMALS IMPOUNDED 114 SUMMONSES & WARRANTS ISSUED

Please, register me today for Fido Field!

More information on Shelter Statistics can be found at nngov.com/2311/peninsula-regional-animal-shelter Page 18, FY 2018 Annual Report

Consider Adoption!

Did You Know?

Coming up on its 26th year, the Celebration in Lights was the First drive through holiday light show in Virginia.

At over 2,364' in length, the James River Fishing Pier is considered the longest fishing pier on the east coast.

Receiving over 6,000 animals annually, the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter has the highest intake of any public or private shelter in Virginia.

The Huntington Park Rose Garden contains over 1,100 rose bushes representing 75 different varieties in 26 different beds.

Newport News Park, at over 7,400 acres, is almost 9 times larger than New York's Central Park.

The first handicapped accessible "Boundless Playground" in Virginia was built in Deer Park in 2003.

ews Park N t r o p w e N t grazing a r e e d d e l i a t white

Our parks are home to 365 varieties of plants, including bald cypress, mistletoe and lady slipper & 394 animal species, including coyotes, beavers, bald eagles and white tailed deer. there are over 800 deer in our parks. Our resource management covers 8,697 acres of parkland and 65 historic sites and markers.

Check it out for yourself!

Page 19, FY 2018 Annual Report

2019 Forecast Installation of new irrigation system at Deer Run Golf Course Completion of Phase I Warwicktowne archaeological dig Opening of new Vietnam exhibit at War Memorial Museum New Special Event Series - "25 Nights of Northern Lights" Completion of Lee Hall Depot Improvements to King-Lincoln Park Walkways Dredging of Peterson's Yacht Basin Hilton Centennial Celebration Lights On Afterschool!

New State of The Art Christmas Tree at City Center Kitten Yoga Much, Much More!

Warwicktowne

Page 20, FY 2018 Annual Report

Lee Hall Depot

Open Spaces No Parks and Recreation Department would be complete without Parks and outdoor activities. We offer a multitude of outdoor facilities and programs, from our aeromodel flying field to our modular skate park, there is something for everyone. We offer camping, fishing, boating, archery, disc golf, orienteering and biking. We even have a ropes and initiative course for teambuilding and personal development. Our community garden provides rental gardening space and our golf course has not one - but two eighteen hole courses that have been rated 4 stars by golf digest and boasts being the only facility in the state to have received both "best Value" and "Frugal Pick" awards. If getting back to nature interests you, we have three nature centers and 37 parks to choose from! Fresh air is just around the corner!

Leeward Marina Slip Rentals

Boat Rentals & Fishing

Bicycle Rentals & Biking Trails

Newport News Golf Club at Deer Run

Saltwater & Freshwater Fishing

Bird Walks & Nature Interpretation Camping at Newport News Park

Newport News Community Garden Page 21, FY 2018 Annual Report

Making Memories