Newport News Parks Division

The reservoir and marsh in Newport News Park provide a perfect home for beavers, who in turn build and maintain dams and ponds that help to create even more homes for fish, frogs, turtles, birds, and so much more. Bring your family to learn more about our busy beavers!

Join us for a free educational program about 'Busy Beavers' this Saturday, September 12th at 11 AM & 2 PM. This program will take place at the Discovery Center in Newport News Park.

Discovery Center - From the Newport News Park main entrance, proceed 1 mile on Constitution Ave; the Discovery Center and parking lot is on the right - look for the Civil War canon!
For more information about this program, please call the Discovery Center at (757) 886-7916.

On the second Wednesday of each month (March-November) we’ll have a new picture storybook about animals and their adventures in nature. Afterwards, we'll embark on a short nature walk and adventure of our own! (Weather Permitting). It’s a great introduction or reinforcement for your children’s reading and learning skills.

Join us for a 'Story and a Walk' this Wednesday, September 9th at 10 AM at the Newport News Park Discovery Center.

All are welcome, this program is recommended for ages 2 through 6.
Discovery Center - From the Newport News Park main entrance, proceed 1 mile on Constitution Ave; the Discovery Center and parking lot is on the right - look for the Civil War canon!

For more information about this program, please call the Discovery Center at (757) 886-7916.

Take a look at our upcoming programs at the Newport News Park Discovery Center in September and October of 2026! More details for each event can be found under the 'Events' section of our page. Our educational programs are great for all ages and free to the public.

Discovery Center - From the Newport News Park main entrance, proceed 1 mile on Constitution Ave; the Discovery Center and parking lot is on the right - look for the Civil War canon! For more information about our programs, please call the Discovery Center at (757) 886-7916.

If you don’t like mosquitoes or bugs that bug you, then you have to love bats! These fascinating flying mammals (the only mammal that truly flies) can each eat many hundreds of insects per night, which makes them a vital part of nature’s balance. There’s so much to learn - and maybe re-learn - about our region’s native bat species, you and your family won’t want to miss this fun and informative program.

Join us this Saturday, September 5th at 7 PM for a free educational presentation and guided night walk! (Weather permitting)

Program Type: Presentation and Nature Walk

Age Recommendation: Ages 12+

Bugs come in all shapes and sizes, and constitute thousands of different species. However, some of the things that we call 'bugs', might be something different altogether. From Ladybirds to roly-poly's and spiders: come find out what makes a bug a bug, and discover what might make them good back yard neighbors after all.

Join us for our free educational program 'Insects and Friends' this Saturday, August 22nd at 11 AM and 2 PM at the Discovery Center in Newport News Park.

Age Recommendation: All Ages

Discovery Center - From the Newport News Park main entrance, proceed 1 mile on Constitution Ave; the Discovery Center and parking lot is on the right - look for the Civil War canon! For more information about this program, please call the Discovery Center at (757) 886-7916.

Bees and wasps help pollinate the plants and flowers of our gardens, and even help take care of pests in the area. Buzz on into the Discovery Center and find out a little more about our hard-working insect neighbors.

Our 'Bee a Friend' free educational program will take place Saturday, August 15th at 11 AM & 2 PM at the Discovery Center in Newport News Park.

Discovery Center - From the Newport News Park main entrance, proceed 1 mile on Constitution Ave; the Discovery Center and parking lot is on the right - look for the Civil War canon! For more information about this program, please call the Discovery Center at (757) 886-7916.

Bring your young nature lover to Newport News Park’s Discovery Center for our nature story time! On the second Wednesday of each month (March-November) we’ll have a new picture storybook about animals and their adventures in nature. Afterwards, we'll embark on a short nature walk and adventure of our own! (Weather Permitting). It’s a great introduction or reinforcement for your children’s reading and learning skills.

Join us for a 'Story and a Walk' this Wednesday, August 12th at 10 AM at the Newport News Park Discovery Center.

All are welcome, this program is recommended for ages 2 through 6.

Discovery Center - From the Newport News Park main entrance, proceed 1 mile on Constitution Ave; the Discovery Center and parking lot is on the right - look for the Civil War canon! For more information about this program, please call the Discovery Center at (757) 886-7916.

Join us at the Discovery Center to learn about the fascinating lives of the lizards living here in Newport News Park. What do they eat? How do they protect themselves from danger? Where do they like to live? Come and find out!

Our 'Scales & Tails' program will be taking place this Saturday, August 8th at 11 AM & 2 PM at the Newport News Park Discovery Center.

Discovery Center - From the Newport News Park main entrance, proceed 1 mile on Constitution Ave; the Discovery Center and parking lot is on the right - look for the Civil War canon! For more information about this program, please call the Discovery Center at (757) 886-7916.

Take a look at our upcoming programs at the Newport News Park Discovery Center in August and September of 2026! More details for each event can be found under the 'Events' section of our page. Our educational programs are great for all ages and free to the public.

Discovery Center - From the Newport News Park main entrance, proceed 1 mile on Constitution Ave; the Discovery Center and parking lot is on the right - look for the Civil War canon! For more information about our programs, please call the Discovery Center at (757) 886-7916.