Makemie Woods starts to get attention for park conversion in New Kent

Back in 2022, New Kent County purchased Makemie Woods for $1.025 million. Now in 2025, a little more headway is in the works as the property is beginning the first phases in transitioning into a park in the eastern portion of the county.

New Kent County Parks and Recreation Director Kim Turner provided county leaders with an update during Friday morning’s New Kent Board of Supervisors work session.
Turner spoke about the 274-acre property and the current buildings on the property. While a 8900-square foot lodge/dining building, a director’s house (2,000 square feet), main hall (6,000 square feet), and 12 bedrooms at 2,200 square feet are still standing, there are a lot of renovations and decisions on what to do with them remains.

This past March, New Kent Parks and Recreation was joined by PlanRVA in exploring the site, with the latter providing feedback in April. In May, members of New Kent’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) expressed interest in assisting with developing the property into something the community can use.
Turner said that potential uses that have been brought up include multiuse trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, disc golf, creating two to three baseball/softball fields with a pavilion and playground, reestablishing the kayak/canoe launch, additional outdoor programming, and creating a building for retreat and meeting space.

The parks and recreation director also commented on some of the issues that they are facing. Currently, flat acreage on the property is limited, while an additional assessment of current buildings, infrastructure, and the grounds are needed. There are also restrictions with improvements needed on the reservoir, and Newport News Waterworks have expressed interest in the property. Finally, Turner plans to have meetings with District 5 residents for their input.

The next steps for the department is community engagements, conducting an inventory of property, and addressing other county concerns.

For New Kent District 5 Supervisor Jordan Stewart, she hopes to expedite the speed of the project granted her current position as chairwoman of PlanRVA.

“I’ve been awaiting anxiously for this presentation,” she commented. “I want to reiterate, New Kent has the chair of PlanRVA and we won’t have this leverage again for at least nine year.

“When they ask what is our priority, while I am the chair I want to make sure they know that this is a priority,” Stewart concluded.

Turner plans to announce meetings on the property at a future date.