The Aquidneck Land Trust Receives Wetlands Permit To Start The Next Phase of the Sakonnet Greenway Trail

The Aquidneck Land Trust just received the necessary wetlands permit from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to begin construction of the next phase of the Sakonnet Greenway Trail.  Said Andy Arkway, ALT Stewardship Director “This is a very exciting moment, so many people have put so much effort into making this dream of a public walking trail into a reality. This permit moves us one large step closer to the day when all the members of our community will be able to enjoy this trail and the landscape that makes this island special.”

This next phase will begin at The Glen in Portsmouth, proceed south along the eastern edge of the property owned by the Pennfield School, cross Sandy Point Avenue and finally form a loop around the nearby field owned by the Town of Portsmouth. The Aquidneck Land Trust anticipates opening this section of the trail in the fall of 2007.

Once finished, the Sakonnet Greenway Trail, which is located on the eastern side of Aquidneck Island, will be the longest single public walking trail on the Island at approximately 7 miles. The trail will extend from the Town of Portsmouth’s recreational area at The Glen, around Newport National Golf Club, and eventually onto the Town of Middletown’s recreational complex on Wyatt Road. The Land Trust has acquired 7 of the necessary 8 trail easements to make the full trail a reality. In addition, an approximate 2.2 mile segment of the trail around Newport National Golf Club’s Orchard Course is already built and open to the public.

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 a total of over 1,886 acres on Aquidneck Island.  In 2006, the Land Trust conserved over 598 acres, the most acres ever conserved by the Land Trust in a single year since its inception about sixteen years ago.  The Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  For more information, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org or call (401) 849-2799.           

This email update has been sent to the entire Aquidneck Land Trust email list. Please let us know if you do not wish to receive these email updates by replying to this message. If you have any questions or comments, please call 401/849-2799 x19 or email mandersen@ailt.org