The Newport Spring Leadership Committee is pleased to report that construction on the new Spring Park has begun! Barring unforeseen complications, completion of Spring Park is planned for summer 2023. The park will memorialize Newport’s historic spring around which the city was founded and celebrate a founding value of the new city, religious freedom.
Now that the design and engineering plans for the site are completed, first construction steps have included the removal of contaminated soil from decades of use as a gas station. Next is the installation of an innovative below-ground Silva Cell system, a high-quality tree care and stormwater management tool used to improve ecological function in urban areas.
The cells provide support for tree roots and management of stormwater runoff. The Silva Cells system was identified by Newport’s Superintendent of Parks, Grounds and Forestry Scott Wheeler, who says “the system will provide the park’s shade trees with the high-quality organic soil they need to thrive while also providing the structure needed to support a safe, stable walking surface for visitors. It has the added benefit of catching stormwater to sustain the trees and to reduce runoff.”
The system is being installed by the managing contractor, R.P. Marzilli, under the direction of Lirio Landscape Architecture. Work will continue as long as weather permits. Further construction details will be reported as progress is made.
The Spring Leadership Group is grateful for the community-wide support this special project has received. The park will be an important and welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike. When completed, Spring Park will be donated to Newport.