Good Dirt

On Thursday, August 16^th, the Town of Middletown donated an important Trail Easement to the Aquidneck Land Trust for its Sakonnet Greenway Trail project, a picturesque public walking trail on the eastern side of the Island. Once finished, the Sakonnet Greenway Trail will be the longest public walking trail on Aquidneck Island at approximately seven miles long.

The trail will extend from the Town of Portsmouth’s public recreation area known as The Glen, around Newport National Golf Club, and onto the Town of Middletown’s recreational complex on Wyatt Road, thanks to today’s Trail Easement donation from the Town of Middletown.

“Middletown is proud to be a part of the Aquidneck Land Trust’s effort to expand and create the Sakonnet Greenway Trail. This trail will be a significant enhancement to the quality of life for all of Aquidneck Island’s residents and visitors,” said Middletown Town Administrator Gerry Kempen.

The Land Trust has now acquired a total of eight Trail Easements to help make the trail a reality. In addition, an approximate 2.2-mile segment of the trail around Newport National Golf Club is already built and open to the public. The Land Trust also recently signed a contract with the DaPonte company to build an approximate 1.5-mile segment of the trail from The Glen, through the Pennfield School and around the Town of Portsmouth’s large field south of Sandy Point Avenue. This construction will be completed in the fall.

Aquidneck Land Trust Executive Director Ted Clement said, “The Land Trust applauds the Town of Middletown and the Middletown Open Space and Fields Committee for their vision, leadership and generosity in supporting the Sakonnet Greenway Trail. We have established a fine working relationship together which has netted the community many benefits. The Sakonnet Greenway Trail will enable the public to directly benefit from the years of committed conservation work by the Land Trust as the trail will run through the Sakonnet Greenway which contains hundreds and hundreds of conserved acres.”

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, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org or call (401) 849-2799.

As always, thank you for your continued support
for conservation on our Island.

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 csabato@ailt.org.