Written by Mike Radwanski, Newport City Commissioner
Festival Park is more than a venue on a calendar. It’s a shared front porch for our city—a place where neighbors gather, ideas collide, and community comes to life. That’s why, when we set out to shape the future of Festival Park in 2021, we did something simple but powerful: we asked the community to help lead the way.
And they showed up.
From public workshops and surveys to conversations at events and informal meetings, residents made their voices heard—clearly, passionately, and constructively. Families talked about wanting a shaded green space that felt welcoming and safe. Artists and event organizers shared ideas about flexibility and creativity. Local businesses weighed in on how Festival Park can drive foot traffic and economic activity. Young people, seniors, long-time residents, and newcomers alike all had a seat at the table.
What struck me most wasn’t just the volume of participation—the thoughtfulness. They asked smart questions about accessibility, sustainability, noise, and neighborhood impacts. They pushed us to think bigger, but also to plan smarter. That kind of engagement doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when people trust that their input matters—and when government is willing to listen.
As a Commissioner, I believe our job isn’t to dictate from City Hall. It’s to convene, to listen, and to turn community values into public action. The process around Festival Park reflected that philosophy. Engagement wasn’t a box to check at the end—it was a foundation we built on from the start. I am personally grateful for those who took time out of their busy schedules to provide feedback along the way.
The result is a clearer, stronger vision for Festival Park—one rooted in local priorities and shared ownership. When residents help shape a space, they don’t just use it; they protect it, promote it, and take pride in it. That’s how public spaces thrive.
Festival Park belongs to the community. The process proved it. Soon, we will have upgrades to Festival Park that we can all take pride in and be proud of.