Grounds

The Grounds Maintenance Division oversees the day-to-day maintenance of 35 city parks, 3 historic cemeteries, roadsides, 3 1/2 mile Cliff Walk, all community and school athletic facilities and public areas surrounding various City buildings.

Activities include: grass cutting, clearing of brush, application of fertilizer and herbicides, beautification, litter collection, fall leaf removal, playground construction and repair, and beach maintenance.

Public Adopt-A-Spot beautification programs and a popular Memorial Bench donation project enhance the city. For more information on how a family or organization can get involved contact the Park's Office at 401-845-5802

The City of Newport accepts requests from groups and organizations who are willing to oversee a small project on City property, such as roadsides, medians, parks, or beaches. We call this "Adopt-A-Spot".

The groups involved must provide the City with an agreement to look after their project on an on-going basis. The work involved could be such things as flower beds, weeding, watering of plants, and any other type of beautification to our City streets.

For information on how to "Adopt-A-Spot", please contact Scott Wheeler, Tree & Grounds Supervisor.

Cliff Walk Photo Documentary, Including GPS Coordinates - May 2009 [PDF]

Memorial Benches

The City of Newport offers anyone with a desire to memorialize a loved one or to commemorate a special event, the opportunity to purchase a bench with a personalized plaque.

Benches are placed in City parks, parkways and public beaches, in locations approved by the Tree & Park Supervisor, Scott Wheeler. Standard bench models have been selected by the city for particular parks in coordination with the community based on their durability and the desired aesthetics for each location.

Benches range in price from $700 to $1,500 depending on the model selected. The cast bronze 2” x 8” plaques are purchased directly by the sponsor and installed by city staff, unless provided by the bench manufacturer. Specifications for the plaque and a list of local distributors can be provided.

To obtain more information on sponsoring a bench, please click here or call Scott Wheeler at 401-845-5802 or email to swheeler@cityofnewport.com.

If you are interested in sponsoring a bench at Brenton or Fort Adams State Park, please click here for the RIDEM brochure.

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Mutt Mitt Program

The Mutt Mitt Program is a program designed to alleviate the nuisance of dog waste in public parks and fields. The City has 44 dispensers located in various public locations around the City, that are filled 3 times per week.

The Mutt Mitts themselves are a heavy-duty dougle-lined plastic bag which is placed over your hand and makes it more easier for collection.

There are normally trash barrels near each dispenser.

City Ordinance requires dog owners by law to clean up after their pet, and disposing of the waste in proper receptacles.

In honor of your pet, the City offers a donation program to help offset the cost of the mutt-mitt refills. The average cost per year for mutt-mitts is $20,000. Donations can be made to the City of Newport, c/o Newport Public Services Department...please name your pet on your check.

Newport Dog Park

Who Let the Dogs Out?

The Newport Public Services Department is proud to announce that the Newport Dog Park is open to the public for resident and non-resident doggies alike.

The park is located on Connell Highway Extension (coming from West Main Road at the light just at you are entering Newport coming from the north, take a right, go down the hill past Newport , and go to the rotary. Go around the rotary to the Shell Station and take the immediate right (next to the station). The park will be down on your left about a quarter mile (right next to the U-Haul).

There are "Mutt-Mitts" available in the dispenser for the convenience of picking up after your pet.

Become a "Mutt-Nutt" today! Donate to the "Mutt-Mitt" program- Details

The park is approximately a half acre, fenced-in facility so that your pets can run off leash, and socialize with other dogs. It is open from 6:00 am - 9:00 pm and is also lighted.

It is encouraged that you bring your own water and toys, as none are provided.

Ballard Park

Ballard Park is a wild and natural open space of 13 acres located near the intersection of Hazard and Wickham Roads.

The park was deeded as a gift to the City of Newport in 1990 by Carol C. Ballard.

Its unique features include two 19th century quarries and a diverse variety of native and introduced plant species. Ballard Park allows for unobtrusive observation of an abutting 54 acre wildlife refuge by providing paths suitable for walking and bird watching.

Friends of Ballard Park host free, family-friendly events throughout the year, visit www.ballardpark.org for more information.