NEW ADDITION:  City of Newport Comprehensive Harbor Management Plan
Inventory of Public Access Points
adopted by the Newport City Council, Dec. 10, 2003
[courtesy of John Hall, Chairman, Comprehensive Harbor Management Plan Subcommittee of the Newport Waterfront Commission]
Summer 2008 NEWSLETTER | | Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4
[please note the newsletter files are large]
Summer 2007 NEWSLETTER | | Page 1 | Page 2 | Page 3 | Page 4
[please note the newsletter files are large]
See our Newport Waterfront Then and Now Report Here!
2007: Our 25th Anniversary
You are Welcome to Join Us
      Friends of the Waterfront, Inc., [FoW] established in 1982 at Newport, RI is a not for profit 501(c)(3), public interest group with a mission:

To protect public access to the water

To preserve historical uses, rights of way, and waterfront views; and

To help foster the development of Newport, RI's shoreline and harbor front areas in ways that maximize public access.
  Newport RI Waterfront Street in Point Section
  A Point Section Driftway
  used for boat launching
  today as well as in 1919.
Newport Point Section waterfront street in 1919

Recently FoW has spoken out:

For programs to help finish Cliff Walk repairs and renovations

To limit the expansion of the commercial waterfront into the Point Section.

In support of maintaining all current public access to Cliff Walk

In favor of faster response and public access hearings here in Newport

For limiting hotel unit density in the waterfront area to current levels.

In support of the City's taking a stronger stand to protect the waterfront access and rights of way it holds in trust for the citizens of this city

For adoption of the a Harbor Management Plan that would give the City of Newport more self government on waterfront and shoreline use.

For the city to not abandon any city street to, or on, the water.
Newport, RI First Beach 1910
Newport's First Beach open to the public in 1910

FoW Operates Three Web Sites
in Support of Public Access

Cliff Walk, Newport at Forty Steps CliffWalk.com
      The Cliff Walk along the eastern shore of Newport, RI is world famous as a public access walk that combines the natural beauty of the Newport shore line with the architectural history of Newport's gilded age. Wildflowers, birds, geology ... all add to this delightful Walk.

Newport, RI Pell Bridge NewportHarborWalk.com
      Along Newport's western shore, the Harbor's history spans well over 300 years. This Colonial shipping hub, U.S. Navy center during the Wars, resort to the Industrial Barons, and past home of the America's Cup races offers an abundant variety of historical and waterfront scenery.

Fort Adams, Newport, entrance TenMileDrive.com
"Ocean Drive"
      In the early 1800s many wealthy New Yorkers escaped to Newport on "Rhode Island" during the hot summers.
Today, Newport's Ten Mile Drive, along Newport's southern shore, combines that history of a wealthy summer community with a fabulous Newport recreational treasure of public parks and miles of shoreline access to rank as one of the most popular "drives" in the country.
New Walk at King Park, Newport, RI      FoW has actively supported the development of the Newport Harbor Walk since 1984, in conjunction with a study from the University of Rhode Island. Recent activities include:

Participation in Earth Days
Creation and Installation of Historic Marker Signs
Actively Participating in Attracting Funds for Development
Join Newport's Friends of the Waterfront ... Click here
Green Light on Rose Island, Newport Annual Harbor Inspection Cruise
      For the past 25 years one of the major FoW programs is the Harbor Front Inspection Cruise, where FoW members charter a Newport Harbor tour boat and spend several hours covering the waterfront.
      Last summer the tour inspected historic Green Light at the northern end of Goat Island. This historic light house guided steamships from Fall River and Providence into Newport Harbor over 100 years ago and is still a U.S. Coast Guard maintained light.
For a Photo Album of a past tour with photos of Newport's Waterfront
© Stacy House Designs
For a Photo Album of our members enjoying a past Inspection Tour
© Stacy House Designs
Join Newport's Friends of the Waterfront ... Click here
Newport RI CRMC right of way to water markerNewport Waterfront and Shoreline Public Access
      There are over 200 public access points to the water in the city of Newport and include:
City of Newport Comprehensive Harbor Management Plan Inventory of Public Access Points
adopted by the Newport City Council, Dec. 10, 2003
Access Points Designated by the State Coastal Resources Management Commission and marked by this medallion in the streets.
Join Newport's Friends of the Waterfront ... Click here
Goat Island Light, Newport, RI 1925
The Wilfred C. Warren Photo Collection dating from 1900 to 1966
      Captain Warren, in addition to being a noted marine photographer and historian, was also an author of maritime books and publications. He lived on Newport's Washington St. and photographed his favorite places on the Newport shoreline. This group is a small selection from his collection now at the Seamen's Church Institute.
All images and content © 2008 v.7/17/08
Friends of the Waterfront, Inc., P.O. Box 932, Newport, RI 02840

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