Council Hears Duck Tour Request

The Newport City Council received a communication from David and Kris Kososki, a Massachusetts couple, requesting to bring duck tours to Newport during Wednesday night’s meeting.

Newport Duck Tours would start at America’s Cup Avenue, travel down Thames Street, onto Wellington Street and launch into the water at King Park or Fort Adams for a 25-30 minute water tour, according to their proposal.

During the meeting, Councilor Kathryn Leonard pointed out that commercial boats may not operate out of King Park.

Duck tours use refurbished WWII Dukw amphibious vehicles and operate in more than 20 cities nationwide. 

David Kososki said two duck boats, which are smaller than Newport trolleys, would run tours from spring through fall. 

“We have a harbor that is very congested, I don’t know if it’s possible to operate them,” Leonard said. “From the phone calls  I’ve received it seems like Newport is quite small and I’m personally saying I don’t know if it’s a good fit.”

Kososki said he had spoken with Newport’s Harbor Master, who had been willing to discuss the tours.

He added that the duck tours are some cities’ number one attraction to families.

“Newport is the perfect place,” he said. “It has a rich history on land and water.”

“It would bring more tourists and offer a fun, unique family-oriented tour of Newport.”