Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan - Existing Conditions | Page 86

Newport Comprehensive Land Use Plan District. The Redwood Library & Athenæum is the oldest lending library in American and holds more than 160,000 volumes. The library gets its name from its founder, Andrew Redwood. The Newport Art Museum is located in the southwest corner of the Old Beach neighborhood. The museum was originally run by an association called the Art Association of Newport (AAN) and they showcased its first exhibition in 1912. The AAN incorporated an art school into its facility just a year later. The museum officially became a public art museum in 1915. Goat Island This neighborhood is a small island located in Narragansett Bay, connected to the mainland only by Gladys Carr Bolhouse Road. This island previously housed the U.S. Navy Torpedo station, which manufactured torpedoes during WWI and WWII. The island was redeveloped into a marina in the 1960’s. Goat Island got its name due to the early Newport residents who pastured goats on it. Goat Island is home to the Newport Harbor Lighthouse. This lighthouse was constructed in 1842 and was built as a replacement for an earlier lighthouse that wasn’t adequately lighting the reefs on the north end of Goat Island. The Newport Harbor Lighthouse underwent renovation in 2006 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rose Island This neighborhood is an 18 acre island, one mile into Narragansett Bay. The island is home to the Rose Island Lighthouse and museum as well as a wildlife refuge. The lighthouse is in operating condition and is open for visitors from July 1 to Labor Day. The Rose Island Lighthouse was built in 1869 was renovated in 1984. The lighthouse is unique in that it is operated fully by working vacationers. Those who wish to operate the lighthouse signup for a week at a time and assist in its operation. The Rose Island Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lily / Almy Pond Lily / Almy Pond is located along Newport’s southern border along the Atlantic Ocean. The neighborhood surrounds two large ponds—Lily and Almy. This neighborhood is characterized by large open spaces with the two ponds as the neighborhood’s center. Most of this neighborhood, except for the residential area on the east side, is in the Historic District. Housing rents here are amongst the highest in Newport. The scenic Ocean Avenue also extends from the Ocean Drive neighborhood into the Lily / Almy Pond neighborhood. This neighborhood also has three beaches within its borders, including Hazard’s Beach, Gooseberry Beach, and Reject’s Beach. Hazard’s Beach became privatized in the 1950’s and prides itself on being a family beach. Gooseberry Beach is setback in a cove and features a café that serves its patrons. Gooseberry is technically a private beach even though it is open to the public. Reject’s Beach is at the southeast end of Bailey’s Beach and has no parking, beach staff, or clubhouse. As patrons have to access Reject’s Beach on foot, this beach it is often times less populated and more private than Newport’s other beaches. Fifth Ward The Fifth Ward neighborhood is located in south-central Newport, partially abutting the Newport Harbor. The neighborhood contains mostly residential properties, both low and medium density, a handful of commercial sites and the City’s High School. In general density is higher in the neighborhood’s northeast section. The Breakers Stable & Carriage House is located in the Fifth Ward. The Stable & Carriage House was owned by the Vanderbilt family who also owned The Breakers mansion located in the Bellevue Avenue and Estates neighborhood. The Fifth Ward neighborhood is also characterized by its parks and open spaces. King Park, Spencer Park, Morton Park, and Murphy Field all reside within the neighborhood. King Park features a gazebo that is used for concerts, a small beach area, open space for picnicking, and a concrete boat ramp. Page 6-6 Draft Existing Conditions (March 2016)