The Newport Open Space Partnership will be animated by the Master Plan’s vision and goals: The citywide vision ensures the future success of Newport through economic sustainability, improved transportation and safe and reliable access to trees, parks, and open space. Deep and inclusive public and stakeholder engagement was integral to the planning process and development of the Master Plan and will continue to be a priority as the Master Plan is implemented. Improved engagement processes will continue to encourage greater public participation in planning and stewardship activities and help our open spaces to flourish and contribute to the greater well-being of our city for years to come
Moving forward this transparent and participatory process of the Master Plan requires leadership that encompasses all aspects of the engaged process. To create that leadership, the Newport Open Space Partnership (NOSP) was created. The partners include:
- City of Newport
- Newport Tree & Open Space Commission
- Aquidneck Land Trust
- Aquidneck Island Planning Commission
- Newport Tree Conservancy
The NOSP plans on bringing in other affiliated partners who are leaders in community health, transportation, environment and sustainability who can serve on subcommittees and help inform new projects and initiatives.
Ultimately the NOSP would like to inform and collaborate, as well as assist groups working in open spaces, on projects that impact the natural and open space in Newport. To insure that the public can be informed at public meetings about public and private projects that impact their trees, parks and open spaces, they will have agenda items on the monthly Newport Tree and Open Space Commission Agenda. These meetings are publicized and open to the public.
We hope this comprehensive planning effort will demonstrate Newport’s commitment to open space planning and development that is forward-thinking, historically sensitive, environmentally aware, economically sound – and based on a foundation of shared goals, wide community involvement, and pragmatic and civil consensus-building.