Newport Parks and Recreation Department offers plenty of activities

The Newport Parks and Recreation Department fulfills many numerous needs throughout the year for citizens of Newport and surrounding areas. The department is a part of the City of Newport’s government and is focused on the community and provides an ever-increasing valuable service.

The department continues to expand on a wide variety of activities for everyone to enjoy. The main office for the department is located at the Newport Community Center at 433 Prospect Avenue. The department’s director is Timothy Dockery.

In addition to operating and maintaining the Newport Community Center, the city department is also responsible for the maintenance of several parks and playgrounds in Newport.

The main recreational anchor for the department is the Newport City Park, which offers a number of activities and opportunities throughout the year. The Park is open year round.

The park offers the use of two pavilions, with grills available, on a reservation basis.

The park also offers a walking track, basketball courts, tennis courts, a playground and a beach volleyball court. The Park also has two athletic fields used for Little League Baseball and English Mountain Little League

Football.

The most popular feature of the City Park is the swimming pool which is open for summer months. The pool is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Private parties, on a reservation basis, are available daily.

The City Park also plays host to several special events throughout the year, including the Parks and Recreation’s annual Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Trick or Treat at the Track, and the Hart Times Street Rod Club of Newport’s Annual Moonshine Rod Run.

The Department’s newest crown jewel facility is the Downtown Newport Riverwalk, located along the banks of the Pigeon River. The first phase of the trail was completed in the fall of 2011 and provides a scenic greenway for Newport citizens to exercise. Plans are currently underway to expand the greenway.

The multipurpose