Bike Newport Launches 'Explore Our Neighborhood' Activity Trail

NEWPORT, RI — The North Side and Broadway neighborhoods of Newport are home to a new, bright, and engaging activity trail. The multi-part project is planned by residents; produced by Bike Newport and the Newport Health Equity Zone; funded by the RI Department of Health and the national organization People for Bikes; hosted by Newport Housing Authority, Trinity Management, and the City of Newport; and illustrated by a cadre of creative neighborhood youth.

The colorful collection of signs and medallions is a new point of pride and activity – just in time for the summer season of being outdoors – and declares to all “Explore Our Neighborhood!”

Forty sign posts in Newport’s North Side and Broadway neighborhoods encourage walking and biking with a duo of messages – one piece of artwork adapted from illustrations by local youth, and one interesting fact that encourages biking and walking to local destinations. For example: “Did you know … that being outside is good for your physical and mental health?” and “Did you know … that roads in Newport were first paved for bicycles?” The drawings feature Miantonomi Tower, trees, houses, and lots of bicycles.

The signs are complemented by destination markers on the signs and sidewalks that guide people walking and biking to eight popular neighborhood destinations: Miantonomi Park and Tower, Abruzzi Baseball Field, CCRI, Pell Elementary, Thompson Middle School, and RIPTA routes 60 and 63. The origin of the activity trails is the Florence Gray Center, 1 York Street, where a large sign explains the project and where a cluster of bike racks and a bike FixIt Station will support bicycle use.

The community is invited to join in the launch and tour of “Explore Our Neighborhood” – a delightful neighborhood activity trail featuring the art of our children - on Friday, June 23rd at 4pm at the Florence Gray Center.

After the event, all are invited to Bike Newport, 62 Broadway in Newport, to view the original children’s artwork in a special exhibit which will remain installed through the months of July and August.

For additional information, please visit www.newporthealthequity.com/explore. Or call Olivia Kachingwe, Health Equity Zone Coordinator (401) 236-8344.