Newport's Friends of the Waterfront supports public waterfront access.

2012: Our 30th Anniversary

FoW conducts a monthly
Harbor Walk Tour
3rd Sat. of each month
May through Oct.
more information on this tour:
info@NewportWaterfront.org

You can print this
Newport Harbor Walk Poster
nearly any size. Prepared by Teresa Crean, URI Coastal Resource Council/RI Sea Grant {Note the PDF file is 3M large -- click on image to download file.}

Spring 2012 NEWSLETTER featuring highlights from our 30 years

AND Annual INSPECTION CRUISE ORDER FORM

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 Waterfront: Then and Now Report

Inventory of Newport's Public ACCESS Locations

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'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.

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

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 marker

Newport 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

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.