Yes! One step closer to making sure all rights of way on Aquidneck Island are adopted and protected and available for future generations to enjoy ocean activities. On June 10, 2020 the City of Council approved a resolution (7-0) to establish a memorandum of understanding for the “adopt-an-access” program which aims to preserve and promote safe and unobstructed use by the public at the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) designated rights-of-way to the shore at Marine Avenue (Z-24) along the Cliff Walk.
Clean Ocean Access (COA) promotes stewardship of this right-of-way with weekly water samples to protect human health, monthly site inspections to protect public access, and an annual cliff walk cleanup to remove litter and marine debris. More recently we have performed the “Blue Access for All” education program to promote healthy living and healthy outside activities and connected the youth of Newport County to this area.
Clean Ocean Access extends appreciation to the City of Newport for believing in our mission to take action today so future generations can enjoy ocean activities. Since 2006 the City of Newport has supported our efforts to eliminate marine debris, improve coastal water quality, and protect and preserve shoreline access. This has included many efforts ranging from specific funding support for water quality monitoring, civic support for all program areas, partnership for Saving Ruggles Surf spot, partnership for marina trash skimmers at Perrotti Park, prohibiting smoking at beaches and eliminating single use plastic bags, to protecting and preserving shoreline access across the entire island.
In 2008 Clean Ocean Access and City of Newport established a memorandum of understanding with the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) for the adopt-an-access program at Ruggles Avenue, and subsequently in 2015 for other rights of way along the cliff walk at Ledge Road, Webster Street, Narragansett Avenue and Seaview Avenue. In 2015 this expanded in partnership Friends of the Waterfront and together with the City of Newport and established a memorandum of understanding with the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) for the adopt-an-access program at all other rights of way in Newport Harbor.
Over the years we have found that promoting environmental stewardship brings people together, and we look forward to connecting more residents with this beautiful right-of-way and enjoying safe and unobstructed access to the shoreline for all ocean activities.