Martha’s Way:
A New Waterfront Amenity Along the James River
A walking path, boardwalk, and scenic overlooks now welcome the community to experience the waterfront safely and sustainably. Martha’s Way honors a family’s love, improves access, advances environmental stewardship, and enables connection to one of Newport News’ greatest natural treasures.
Our journey to Martha’s Way
Martha’s Way was created to make the James River shoreline more accessible, safer, and welcoming for everyone. The project grew from a deeply personal vision into a community amenity that brings pedestrians closer to the water while protecting the waterfront landscape for years to come.
Here is a look at how Martha’s Way came to life, and how this new trail and boardwalk will help visitors, neighbors, and families connect with Mariners’ Park and the James River.
A vision born from love and community safety
The inspiration behind Martha’s Way is rooted in the Newport News community. Royden Goodson, a Newport News native and longtime resident, championed and funded the project to honor his wife, Martha, who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in 2015.
Martha loved walking to Mariners’ Park from the neighboring Riverside community, but the route lacked a designated walkway. Pedestrians were forced to walk dangerously close to traffic with limited visibility. Remembering Martha’s wish for a dedicated community path, Royden set out to turn that dream into reality.
Martha and Royden shared many moments enjoying the beauty of the James River together. Martha’s Way carries that spirit forward by making the route she once walked safer for neighbors and visitors alike.
Phases 1 & 2:
Walking paths
The first two phases of Martha’s Way, completed just over a year before the grand opening, established a four-foot-wide walking path along Museum Parkway between Kettle Pond and the Riverside neighborhood. A short gravel path was also added to improve pedestrian access.
These early improvements helped create a clearer and safer route into Mariners’ Park, laying the groundwork for a broader waterfront experience that would invite the community to slow down, explore, and enjoy the river’s edge.
Phase 3:
Boardwalk and scenic overlooks
The newly completed phase adds a boardwalk and two scenic overlooks along the James River shoreline. The Mariners’ celebrated the grand opening of Martha’s Way on May 29 with local leaders, community members, project partners, and the Goodson family.
Martha’s Way offers a place for solitude, reflection, and connection: a space to sit with friends, watch the river go by, follow the birds, take in the sunsets, and appreciate the beauty of nature.
How does Martha’s Way transform this space?
Martha’s Way brings together three major components that enhance the Mariners’ Park waterfront:
- A more sustainable way to enjoy the waterfront that supports The Mariners’ environmental stewardship efforts.
• Designates a safe place to experience the waterfront without parking or standing on the riprap.
• Encourages responsible access to the shoreline.
• Helps protect the landscape while expanding community connection to the James River. - A safer pedestrian route between the Riverside neighborhood and Mariners’ Park. The improved path supports safer access by creating a designated place for walkers away from traffic.
• Adds a four-foot-wide walking path along Museum Parkway between Kettle Pond and Riverside.
• Includes a short gravel path to improve pedestrian access.
• Honors Martha’s wish for a dedicated community path. - A new boardwalk and scenic overlooks that invite visitors to experience the James River shoreline in a meaningful way.
• Creates a rare publicly accessible place to connect with the water in a region where much of the shoreline is privately owned.
• Offers space for reflection, gathering, birdwatching, sunset viewing, and quiet enjoyment of nature.
• Welcomes neighbors, families, and visitors into a new waterfront experience within Mariners’ Park.
A true collaborative effort
The completion of Martha’s Way was made possible through extraordinary community collaboration. The Mariners’ is grateful to local construction leaders Crofton Industries and The Blair Brothers, Inc., who helped bring the project to completion.
The Mariners’ also extends sincere gratitude to the partners who contributed to the success of Martha’s Way, including Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.; the WPL architect team; and the City of Newport News Planning and Engineering Department.
The community is warmly invited to visit Martha’s Way and enjoy this new resource, which will foster connection with the James River for years to come.
