A small west side park in Newport could be transformed into a community garden under a resident-led proposal aimed at creating a space that serves more of the neighborhood.
Residents have proposed converting Freudenberg Park, located in the 700 block of Liberty Street, from a playground into a community garden with raised beds, landscaping, fencing and gathering space. The city and residents discussed the possibility at a Sept. 28 caucus meeting. No action was taken during the meeting.
Newport Assistant City Manager Brian Steffen said the playground is more than 17 years old, and its equipment could need replacement within about five years. City officials and residents involved in the proposal say the park appears to be underused, particularly as other nearby parks offer larger playgrounds and more amenities.
The proposal originated with resident Kyle Randall and other west side residents. Rather than eventually replacing the playground equipment, they envision developing the garden in phases as volunteers raise money and pursue grants.
“The park as it is right now exists for a very niche audience, which is like that primary school-age kid,” Randall said. “The plan here is to really make a space that’s inviting to all.”
Plans call for garden plots along with two elevated beds designed for people with limited mobility. Randall said several beds could also be reserved for open community use or educational programs rather than rented to individual gardeners.
He said improvements at nearby Bernadette Watkins Park have also given families another option for recreation, while Freudenberg Park’s small size limits what it can offer as a traditional playground.
The city has not formally committed to removing the playground, and officials said they want additional neighborhood input before moving forward.
Newport Commissioner Aaron Sutherland suggested finding a way to better gauge how frequently the playground is currently used. Steffen said the city does not want the project to be perceived as taking recreation space away from children.
“Obviously, it could have a very bad image to it that the city’s taking a park away from children, and that’s not the intent here,” Steffen said.
If the project moves forward, the neighborhood would lead the development and management of the garden. The city could assist with work that is more difficult for volunteers, including removing and storing the existing playground equipment, establishing water service, extending fencing and removing aging trees.
Newport City Manager John Hayden said that arrangement would allow Newport to support the project without taking responsibility for building and managing the garden.
“We always want to be very supportive when our neighborhood group comes and says, ‘We want to take this project on. We want to do the heavy lift,’” Hayden said.
He said that the city’s costs would be “significantly less” than a full park renovation.
Newport Vice Mayor Julie Smith-Morrow said she was encouraged by the planning residents had already put into the proposal and particularly liked the idea of developing it gradually.
“I do see it as a community asset,” Smith-Morrow said.
West side resident Katherine McElwain spoke at the meeting and said raised garden beds could be particularly useful because residents may lack adequate space or suitable soil for growing produce.
“Raised bed is probably the best way to grow plants, and I wholly support it,” McElwain said.
Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. said demand for community garden plots has remained strong and pointed to Newport’s existing gardens as examples of residents using the spaces not only to grow food but also to build relationships.
“This is an absolute need in the community,” Guidugli said. “Every time plots have been available, they’ve been filled.”
City officials said they will continue gathering neighborhood feedback as residents further develop the proposal.
