Improvements Coming to Morton Park!
October 8, 2019
We are excited to announce that improvements are coming to Morton Park in Newport! Playground equipment intended for children ages 2-5 will complement the existing equipment geared for 5-12 year olds.
Through a generous donation by the Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, these improvements allow us to better serve our community by providing a park that is appropriate for all ages to enjoy. The park will also be handicap accessible.
Residents will see the equipment being installed throughout the month of October, with some excavation and regrading to make it handicap accessible. Morton Park was named as one of Newport Residents’ favorite parks, when surveyed for the Newport Open Space Master Plan in 2017 and has been beloved by generations of children for its sledding hill.
This historic park, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, was donated to the City by Levi Morton, a future Vice President of the United States, who drove one of the first rivets into the Statue of Liberty’s big toe as the Ambassador to France. This picturesque park includes a volleyball court and a large picnic area. Morton Park is permanently protected with an Aquidneck Land Trust Easement, ensuring its role as an integral part of Newport’s open space.
Dory Hamilton Benson, HFCT Board Member, says, “The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust believes that creative playgrounds can be the heart of our communities and provide gathering spaces for kids of all ages. Children learn social, physical, and emotional skills at community playgrounds. We are happy to support inventive spaces where children can interact with one another, become stronger physically, challenge their imaginations, and have fun. We hope to provide additional pre-school play spaces to other community parks in Newport in the future.”
The Newport Open Space Partnership is a collaboration between the City of Newport, Newport Tree & Open Space Commission, Aquidneck Land Trust, Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, and Newport Tree Conservancy – and is working to plan for the next century of Newport’s parks, trees, and open spaces.
Check our blog and follow our Facebook page to receive updates about the installment of the equipment and a future ribbon cutting ceremony!
Newswire:
Newport Now – New Toddler Playground at Morton Park By Newport This Week Staff | on October 07, 2019
What’s Up Newp –Newport Open Space Partnership: Toddlers to have new toddling space at Morton Park By News Desk – October 7, 2019