2026-04

CITY OF NEWPORT

RESOLUTION

OF THE
COUNCIL

No. 2026-04

WHEREAS: With over 1.4 million annual visitors, the Cliff Walk is not only a defining feature of Newport’s identity but also a critical economic and environmental asset; and

WHEREAS: The on-going maintenance, management, visitor experience and public safety of the Cliff Walk are overseen by the Cliff Walk Commission, in coordination with the division of Parks, Grounds & Forestry of the Public Services Dept; and

WHEREAS: The van Beuren Charitable Foundation (vBCF) in partnership with the City of Newport through the Department of Resilience & Sustainability and in coordination with the Planning and Public Services Departments, is supporting the development of an actionable and sustainable framework to guide future capital investment, management, and resilience improvements for the Cliff Walk; and

WHEREAS: Cliff Walk: Planning for a Resilient Future is a comprehensive planning initiative that will integrate advanced data collection, community engagement, and interagency coordination to guide restoration, enhancement, and long-term stewardship of this iconic coastal asset, ensuring continued safety, accessibility, and resilience for generations to come.; and

WHEREAS: The grant funded project closely aligns with the City’s adopted Comprehensive Plan and Green Infrastructure Plan, as well as the State’s Municipal Resilience Program and the Aquidnock Island Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED: that The City Council of Newport hereby authorizes the Grants Office within the Department of Resilience & Sustainability, in collaboration with the Division of Parks, Grounds & Forestry and the Cliff Walk Commission, to accept a $150,000 grant award from the van Beuren Charitable Foundation for the purpose of completing Cliff Walk: Planning for a Resilient Future, including data-driven analysis, stakeholder engagement, and development of a comprehensive management and resilience master plan.

IN COUNCIL
READ AND PASSED

Laura C. Swistak, CMC
City Clerk