Portsmouth Voters Asked to Vote YES on Open Space and Recreational Development Bond on November 6th

On Tuesday, November 6^th, Portsmouth voters will have the chance to protect their quality of life and the character of Portsmouth by passing a $4 million Open Space and Recreational Development Bond. Portsmouth is a strikingly beautiful area that is drawing more and more attention from developers and big box type businesses, putting the Town’s open spaces, farms and recreational areas at risk of being lost forever. In 2005 and 2006, Aquidneck Island lost around 360 acres to development, with about 300 of those acres being in Portsmouth. Now is the time to invest in the future of Portsmouth!

The Open Space and Recreational Development Bond will give the Town of Portsmouth the ability to invest up to $2 million in open space conservation, up to $500,000 for the creation and support of athletic fields and outdoor public recreation at the Portsmouth-owned 48+/- acre field on Sandy Point Avenue and possibly other areas, and up to $1.5 million for improvement and maintenance of the historic Glen area. This bond is an opportunity for Portsmouth voters to invest in the collective futures of all who love Portsmouth and Aquidneck Island. Aquidneck Land Trust encourages all Portsmouth voters to vote YES on the Open Space and Recreational Development bond on November 6^th.

Many people don’t realize that open space actually saves taxpayers money. For every tax dollar a typical subdivision brings in, studies show that municipalities must spend between $1.04 and $2.00 to support that subdivision with schools, roads, police, water, rescue and fire department services, storm water management and more. As a result, because the subdivision costs more than it generates, current taxpayers end up subsidizing new subdivisions that bring increased traffic, crowded schools and the loss of a community’s character.

Plus, when land is protected, the adjacent land often increases in value. A survey by the National Association of Homebuilders reports that new homebuyers value trails and natural areas above any other amenity. And a town that generates open space funds, such as through a bond, can attract additional open space dollars in the form of matching grants, partnerships, etc… For example, the Town of Portsmouth’s $750,000 investment in the Escobar’s Highland Farm Conservation Project in 2005 generated another $2.25 million from the Aquidneck Land Trust and its partners for the project. Last year, the Town of Portsmouth invested $150,000 into the Brown Preserve Conservation Project while the Aquidneck Land Trust and its partners contributed another $150,000.

Other reasons to vote YES on the Open Space and Recreational Development Bond are equally as important. Open space conservation protects local agricultural land that provides fresh food and farm products for all to enjoy. It preserves wildlife habitat and biodiversity. And it ensures that we have public recreational areas and healthy fun outdoor opportunities, helps protect our water resource areas and water quality, and keeps the scenic vistas and the charm and beauty of our town.

Please, Portsmouth voters, vote YES on the Open Space and Recreational Development Bond on November 6^th! If you are not a Portsmouth voter, please pass this Good Dirt onto any Portsmouth voters you know.

To hear Portsmouth official and ALT Executive Director Edward Sortwell Clement, Jr. talk more about the Portsmouth Open Space  & Recreational Development Bond, tune in to William Raveis Chapman Enstone’s “Housecalls” on WADK 1540 AM from 9-10 a.m. this Saturday morning.

For a printable brochure you can pass onto others, click here.

The Aquidneck Land Trust’s mission is to preserve Aquidneck Island’s open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community. The Land Trust has conserved over 1,886 acres on Aquidneck Island. The Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information about the Land Trust and its Swan Farm project, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org.