AQUIDNECK STONEWALL INITIATIVE
Enhancing our Historic Landscapes
Stone walls stand as enduring symbols of Aquidneck Island’s agricultural past, enriching its scenic character and sense of place. However, the island’s historic landscapes are fragmented, often in disrepair, and increasingly threatened by development. By restoring stone walls along vital transportation corridors, we aim to revitalize the landscape and enhance the island's historic and visual appeal.
In 2024, the Aquidneck Stone Wall Initiative proudly completed restoration projects at three essential sites: the Norman Bird Sanctuary, Glen Farm, and Miantonomi Park. These restoration efforts, which began in 2020 through the Aquidneck Stone Wall Volunteer Program, shifted in the past year to engage more skilled stone masons for more extensive repairs. Now that the work is complete, we can reflect on the profound impact of our talented volunteers and partners. The initiative has not only helped beautify Aquidneck Island but also deepened community appreciation for these historic structures, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
Norman Bird Sanctuary
The Norman Bird Sanctuary (NBS), a wildlife sanctuary and environmental education center, encompasses over 325 acres of diverse habitats and 7 miles of scenic hiking trails. It proudly features miles of historic stone walls, including one that runs parallel to Hanging Rock Road and extends north along Third Beach Road. This area serves as a picturesque intersection for walkers, runners, cyclists, and vehicles, situated in the heart of Middletown's cherished historic district: Paradise Valley. Restoration efforts commenced along Third Beach Avenue and continued just beyond the sanctuary’s entrance.
Glen Farm
Glen Farm, a valuable greenspace in Portsmouth, is owned by the Town of Portsmouth and provides a hub for community activities, offering recreational fields, walking trails, and housing town offices. Its main entrance on Linden Road features two elongated stretches of historic stone walls that line the roadway leading to the historic Leonard Brown House. These walls, previously weathered and damaged by foot traffic from nearby youth sports fields, have undergone a remarkable transformation through this program.
Miantonomi Park
Miantonomi Park, situated in the North End of Newport, represents a significant collaboration with the City of Newport to expand our initiative's reach. After years of neglect, the city harnessed this partnership to finally initiate vital repairs. A substantial barrier wall at Miantonomi Memorial Park along Gerald Avenue now enhances the park’s entrance, providing a clear delineation into this historically significant site, the North End's primary greenspace.
Special Thanks
Through these restoration efforts, we celebrate not only the visual enhancements to Aquidneck Island but also the renewed community commitment to preserving our historic landscapes for generations to come. These projects would not have been possible without the generous funding provided by the van Beuren Charitable Foundation and the Scenic Aquidneck Coalition, a collaboration between Preserve RI, The Preservation Society of Newport County, and Aquidneck Land Trust.
Special thanks go to the talented and dedicated stone masons, particularly Robert Faraone of Faraone Stonework and Masonry Services, who led the Aquidneck Stone Wall Volunteer Program at Glen Farm and the Norman Bird Sanctuary, training over 80 volunteers in the art of dry stone walling. This past year, we also engaged Ramos Masonry for the project at Miantonpomi and Luke Driver for the main entrance at the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Their commitment to preserving these landscapes has been invaluable.
While we are not currently offering volunteer opportunities, those interested in learning the art of dry stone walling can visit The Stone Trust – "In Stone We Trust" to find information about regional training sessions being offered.