East Coast Construction recently wrapped up trail work in Middletown Valley, making the High Street park even more of an oasis in the center of #MiddletownRI.
TRAIL WORK FURTHER IMPROVES MIDDLETOWN VALLEY
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (SEPTEMBER 24, 2024) – Trail improvements to the southern end of Middletown Valley have finished up.
East Coast Construction of Portsmouth recently completed the updates, including laying hundreds of feet of new stone dust trail, installing fencing and related work that’s received rave reviews.
“I think it looks great and every time I’m by the Valley, I see people out using the trails,” public works Director Robert Hanley said. “That’s what these spaces are for, to get people out and about in Middletown.”
“A number of people have mentioned to me about how great the Valley looks,” said Will Cronin, who oversees the town’s parks as part of his duties for Middletown. “It’s a great location and when you’re out there, it’s so quiet and relaxing. It’s a wonderful spot.”
Tree Commission Chairperson Karen Day the volunteer board has been very happy with the maturation of Middletown Valley. The group thanked the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and town for funding the trail extension work.
“We are delighted the trail has been expanded to the newly extended park,” Day said. “The walkways were done with a grant the town wrote from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and supplemented with funds from the town. We hope, when there are funds available, to further expand the walkways and create even more walkways which will connect to the previously created pathways.”
Day said it’s amazing to see so many people using Middletown Valley and what a popular place it has become.
“As I drive by, it certainly seems to be quite a popular site for walkers and we will continue to seek funding sources to expand upon what has all ready been done and to hopefully build on our planting plan,” Day said. “Right now, however, allowing the natives to grow has created a wonderful habitat that supports pollinators, birds and wildlife. It's a wonderful place to catch a view of migrating birds and butterflies.”
East Coast started working in the area along High Street in late June and completed its efforts over the past several weeks.
The new trails are the latest addition to the Valley, which was purchased in March 2004 amid development pressure. Once known as “Kempenaar Valley,” the close to 50-acre site was rebranded several years ago as Middletown Valley.
As part of the first phase of the Valley work behind Aquidneck Shopping Centre, about 125 native species of trees were planted, with tree plantings continuing today.
For many, the park and approximately two mile trail network serves as a quiet oasis in the center of town to get away from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, whether to walk a leashed dog or take in the scenery by Bailey Brook.
Longterm, local officials have said they’d like to link Middletown Valley to a town wide system of walking paths from lower Aquidneck Avenue to the Sakonnet Greenway Trail system around Newport National Golf Club in the northern section of the community.
The thinking is the trail network would be a safe, secure way for people to move from one end of Middletown to the other without accessing the major roads in town.
“Middletown Valley is one of those projects I think everyone is really proud of in Middletown,” Town Planner Ronald Wolanski said. “It’s cherished by the people who live around it and so many others in Middletown. It’s just one thing that makes our community great.”
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-Trails
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant community located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
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Matt Sheley
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401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.com