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Our Story

Our Mission

The Newport News Green Foundation enhances the quality of life in Newport News by preserving, transforming, and promoting green spaces throughout the city.

Our Mission

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BIGNONIA CAPREOLATA Flower

We accomplish this mission through:

  • The preservation of green space in a dynamic urban environment as a means to enhance quality of life, increase property value and support the growth of the city.
  • Transforming vacant and/or blighted properties into more visually attractive spaces.
  • When possible, making preserved spaces useful, active spaces.
  • Forming partnerships with like-minded groups and organizations to educate citizens, promote resiliency within the city, and support projects that complement our mission.

History

Early Years

The Newport News Green Foundation was established by resolution of the Newport News City Council in June 1998, and became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization five months later. The organization of the Green Foundation was prompted by Council’s awareness that urban development had changed the appearance of the city to the extent that landscaping needed to be reintroduced along the urban corridors and green spaces needed to be preserved in order to maintain and enhance the quality of life in the city.

Key Moments

2001

The Green Foundation acquired its first property located at 10184 Jefferson Ave (on the southeast corner of Jefferson Ave and McLawhorne Dr, across from the Midtown Community Center).

2001 –2011

The Green Foundation experienced rapid growth and acquired 19 properties.

2013

Chatham Trail (401 Chatham Dr.) was renovated to include a walking trail, benches, and a pond. Learn more about Chatham Trail and rental opportunities here.

2017

The Green Foundation partnered with the Virginia Department of Forestry and local organizations to renovate the Hilton Ravine (225 River Road). The Hilton Ravine was transformed by planting over 100 native trees and shrubs, restoring the outdoor classroom, and installing a stone dust pathway.

2020

The Sarfan Family donated a 5-acre vacant parcel on 1901 Chestnut Ave. In order to address food scarcity in the area and to promote the benefits of active green space, the Foundation seeks to transform this lot into the Peninsula’s first food forest. Learn more about the Sarfan Food Forest here.

2021

The Green Foundation collaborated with the Newport News Public Art Foundation to install the sculpture La Luna, by artist Lars Widenfalk, in the pond at Chatham Trail.

2021

The Green Foundation received its most recent acquisition with the donation of 1100 Kiln Creek Parkway.

2021

40 fruit bearing trees (a combination of apple, pear, persimmon, fig, and plum) were planted at the Sarfan Food Forest. The Green Foundation began working with Virginia Tech’s Community Design Assistance Center to create an overall site plan for the Food Forest, including additional plantings.

2023

The Green Foundation partnered with Christopher Newport University students in Dr. Joe Balay’s Environmental Ethics classes. The students researched a variety of green spaces, sought feedback from local communities, and created proposals to activate and enhance the green spaces.

2023

Pollinator meadow planted at the Sarfan Food Forest.

Newport News Green Foundation Inc.

The Newport News Green Foundation has preserved over 50 acres of land in Newport News, Virginia. While staying true to its mission to preserve green spaces, the Foundation is also exploring how it might provide the public access to enjoy the natural spaces it maintains.

Learn more about our green spaces and explore our interactive map here

Donate to help us to care for our current and future green spaces!

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