Newport Begins Work on Open Space Master Plan

When Frederick Law Olmsted produced the “Proposed Improvements for Newport” plan in 1913, he set in motion a series of steps to preserve and protect open space in Newport for the public’s enjoyment.

It’s hard to believe that more than 100 years later, there has been no follow-up effort to update the city’s open space plan.

Until now.

On Sept. 14, the Pell School at 35 Dexter St. in Newport will be the venue for the launch of a new effort to draft a comprehensive master plan for Newport’s trees, parks and open space.

The public is urged to take part in the process, which will seek input, inventory the city’s parks, tree canopies and open areas “to determine how best to plan for public use, sustainability, recreation and environmental protection,” according to a city news release.

The effort is being spearheaded by five local organizations who have partnered to lead the project.

The project partners are the City of Newport, the Newport Tree and Open Space Commission, the Aquidneck Land Trust, the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission and the Newport Tree Society and Arboretum.

According to Newport Tree Society president Lilly Dick, “The Newport community has not had such an opportunity since 1913. More than one hundred years later, we expect to produce a master plan that rivals Olmsted’s work.”

The project is called “Newport Open Space Partnership: Planning for the Future” and will rely heavily on collaboration from residents who will be asked to think about short- and long-term uses of all the city’s assets.

The open space project is funded by the Alletta Morris McBean Charitable Trust and the van Beuren Charitable Foundation.

The master plan includes a wide range of deliverables. The Project Team will work collaboratively with the city planning board and the public to produce the state-required Open Space Element of the 2016 Comprehensive Plan.

The architectural landscape design firm, Sasaki Associates, was selected by a diverse interview team, and is known for engaging citizens in projects across the country to collaboratively build trees, park and open space master plans that meet the need of communities.

A website to chronicle the effort can be found HERE.

The Sept. 14 meeting begins at 5 p.m. with an open house and detailed presentation starting at around 5:45 p.m.

If you can’t attend, be sure to fill out a project survey.