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1. Executive Summary
Executive Summary
A forward-looking vision that will sustain and enhance Newport’s trees, parks, and open spaces, ecologically, culturally, economically, and socially for generations to come.
The implementation of this comprehensive, public-driven plan will ensure the long-term sustainability of Newport’s trees, parks, and open spaces, enhancing quality of life, mitigating social and health inequity, improving community prosperity, and creating a greener Newport. Inspired by and building upon Olmsted’s 1913 Vision, the citywide vision integrates current and future needs to provide a balance of open space, recreational opportunities, protected natural habitats, and a healthy citywide tree canopy.
Newport’s parks, open spaces, and urban forest play important roles in the community and region’s culture, economy, and environmental system. The future vision will ensure the stewardship of a diversity of parks, providing a balance of active recreation, passive enjoyment activities, and natural areas. It improves connectivity to the city’s historic waterfront, and ensures all neighborhoods are connected with safe cycling and walking access.
Today in Newport, areas such as Northern Newport1 require an increase in access to open space, recreational opportunities and trees. Still, while Central and Southern Newport have better access to parks and amenities, many historic or beloved elements such as the Harbor Walk and Ocean Drive are in need of repair and re-visioning. Enhancing habitat and creating healthier ecological connections are also key.
The plan seeks to both reinvest in historic open spaces and helps to ensure a more equitable distribution of open space amenities across the city for the future.
The citywide vision ensures the future success of Newport through economic sustainability, improved transportation, and safe and reliable access to trees, parks and open spaces.
Nav Navy Pro ro oper p ty ty
RAIL WITH TRAIL
Nav vy y Pro Proper e ty ty
NEW PUBLIC WATERFRONT PARK AT NAVY HOSPITAL
Miantonomi Park NORTHERN NEWPORT IS A KEY ZONE FOR ADDING NEW PARKS, TREES, RECREATION, & WATERFRONT ACCESS
Fort Adams State Park Harbor Walk
HARBOR WALK IMPROVEMENTS
Cliff Walk Easton’s Beach
Ea East ton o Ba Bay
Brenton Point State Park
CONNECTED NETWORK FOR BICYCLING
Guiding Principles
These five principles underlie all Master Plan recommendations, supporting a more resilient, connected, and equitable open space system. These principles are the result of public and stakeholder input paired with national standards-based analysis.
A Connected System
Walking and bicycling links between parks, neighborhoods, and other destinations; greenways, welcoming streetscapes, and green and blue connections
Great Parks & Open Spaces
Activation and amenities, balancing active recreation, passive enjoyment, civic and social space, and environmental needs
An Equitable System
A tree, park, and open space system where all citizens have a voice, and all neighborhoods have convenient access to open spaces, recreation opportunities, a healthy community forest, and the waterfront
A Resilient System
Environment, ecology, tree canopy, wildlife habitat; a system prepared for changing sea levels and climate conditions
A Living Legacy
An enduring/sustaining system. Legally protected open space
IMPLEMENTING THE VISION
From the start, this Master Plan has been a collaborative effort undertaken by a coalition of residents and city, community, and state representatives. The success of this plan will require building on this momentum, and continuing to grow a culture of stewardship for Newport’s trees, parks, and open spaces.
Key Projects and Elements: ° Miantonomi Park Enhancements ° Upgrading Basic Park Infrastructure ° New North End Parks, Trees,
Recreation, and Waterfront access ° Public Waterfront Park:
Navy Hospital Redevelopment ° Harbor Walk Enhancements ° Planning for Sea Level Rise ° Rail with Trail ° Connected Bicycle and Pedestrian
Network with Green, Welcoming
Streets ° King Park/ Spencer Park ° Special Focus on Trees ° Legal Protection for Open Space
Implementation elements: ° Consistent, best-practice process for public input into future decision-making ° Integrated decision-making with guaranteed public involvement that considers sea level rise, historic legacies, and the diverse roles of trees and open space ° Balancing investments with longterm revenue ° Funding, revenue, and sustainable operations ° Building on and expanding existing public/private partnerships
