The Mariners’ Museum Park

Description

The Mariners’ Park is 550 acres of privately maintained, naturally wooded property that surrounds the 167-acre Mariners’ Lake. The Park is one of the largest privately-owned parks that is free and open to the public year-round.

Following the shoreline of Mariners’ Lake is the five-mile natural surface Noland Trail, dedicated as a gift from the Noland Family in 1991. With the family’s significant ongoing financial support, the Trail has fourteen bridges offering nice vantage points for birding and wildlife viewing, benches at approximately every half-mile, and is well-marked with mile markers. Views of Mariners’ Lake can be found around every corner. Birders will enjoy possible sightings of diverse bird species including woodpeckers, woodland songbirds, wading birds, bald eagles, migrating warblers, and wintering waterfowl. Holly Tree Overlook, The Mariners’ Museum Multipurpose Trail, Loop Road Trail, and Meadow Path are fully accessible and accessible bathrooms are available in the Museum building. Detailed accessibility information is available here.

The famous Lions Bridge, a dam that provides a breathtaking view of the James River, remains a scenic highlight for visitors. The beauty of the dam is enhanced by several fine pieces of statuary designed by Anna Hyatt Huntington, sculptor, and wife of Museum founder Archer Milton Huntington. Four stone lions were mounted on the ends of the parapets of the dam in October 1932. Anna also created and dedicated a monument entitled “Conquering the Wild” that overlooks the Lions Bridge, the Park, and Mariners’ Lake.

Directions

Physical Address: 100 Museum Dr, Newport News, VA 23606

From I-64 in Williamsburg, take exit 258-A. Travel 2.5 miles to the intersection of Warwick Blvd. and J. Clyde Morris Blvd. (Avenue of the Arts). Continue straight through the intersection and take your first left onto Museum Drive, the Museum entrance is directly ahead.

From I-664 North, take the 35th Street exit and merge to Warwick Blvd. Follow Warwick Blvd. to the J. Clyde Morris (Avenue of the Arts) intersection and turn left onto Avenue of the Arts. Take your first left onto Museum Drive, the Museum entrance is directly ahead