The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is inviting the public to help shape the future of Fort Adams State Park during a workshop tonight at the Newport Public Library.
The public workshop, part of the Fort Adams State Park Master Plan process, will run from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the library, located at 300 Spring St.
RIDEM officials say the session will focus on gathering community insights about how residents and visitors currently use and enjoy the 105-acre park. The master plan will include strategies to protect and engage the site’s historic and natural resources to support future generations’ use of the park.
From morning walks to sunset gatherings and iconic music festivals, sailing regattas and community events, Fort Adams has been a cornerstone of Newport life for generations. The scenic waterfront park offers sweeping views of Narragansett Bay and is home to the historic Fort Adams fortification, which dates to the early 19th century.
The park is home to several key tenants, including Sail Newport, the Newport Festivals Foundation, and the Fort Adams Trust.
The park is also home to the historic Eisenhower House, built in 1873, which once served as the summer White House of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The state acquired the mansion in the 1960s, and it now operates as an event space for weddings and corporate functions.
The park hosts numerous annual events, including the Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival, and serves as a hub for recreational activities year-round.
Those with questions about the master plan process can contact RIDEM at DEM.Projects@dem.ri.gov.
More information about Fort Adams State Park is available at riparks.ri.gov/parks/fort-adams-state-park.
