RI Foundation: Grants For Rain Barrels, Park Benches And Artful Walking Trail

By The RI Foundation

MIDDLETOWN, RI — Three local organizations have won funding to support working ranging from giving away rain barrels to installing art in Miantonomi Park. The groups are among 30 winners of nearly $225,000 in grants through the Rhode Island Foundation’s Community Grants program.

The Aquidneck Island Land Trust of Middletown received $9,200 to provide free rain barrels to Middletown residents in partnership with Clean Ocean Access and the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission. The give-away will take place at a planned community festival that will also include rain barrel painting, rain barrel installation demonstrations and storm water education.

The Town of Middletown received $9,405 to install eight park benches in the Middletown Valley, the town’s newest public park. The 45-acre site runs along High Street behind the Aquidneck Shopping Centre.

“Residents told us that walkable, scenic open spaces are central to their vision for our community. This site has newly constructed walking paths and newly planted trees, but there are currently no amenities. These benches will add to the identity and character of the park,” said Shawn Brown, town administrator.

The Women’s Resource Center of Newport received $9,710 to install public art along the newly marked walking and bike trail that winds through Miantonomi Park in Newport’s North End. The “Tree Path Project” is a partnership with the Newport Health Equity Zone and the Newport Art Museum.

Staff Photo: Middletown Park