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News Advisory
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
FOR AP AND METRO NEWS DAYBOOKS:
Date: October 22, 2007

Time:

 2:00 p.m.
Location: Van Zandt Fishing Pier, Van Zandt Ave. & Washington Street, Newport
Event: Newport & DEM Officials to Showcase First Phase of Improvements at Van Zandt Public Fishing Pier; DEM to Announce Availability of New Round of Grants for Historic Park and Recreation Development

For Release:

 October 19, 2007
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM AND NEWPORT OFFICIALS TO SHOWCASE FIRST ROUND OF IMPROVEMENTS AT VAN ZANDT FISHING PIER

PROVIDENCE - DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D. will join Newport officials at 2 p.m. Monday, October 22 at an event marking the completion of the first phase of improvements at Van Zandt public fishing pier.

Located on Washington Street, Van Zandt Pier is Newport's only free public fishing pier. The historic wooden structure was built prior to 1929 and has survived a number of hurricanes. Van Zandt Pier continues to be a place used by Newport residents and visitors alike to enjoy passive recreation activities such as reading, painting, and viewing the western side of Narragansett Bay, and for active recreation including fishing and swimming.

Funding for the first phase of the reconstruction project included a $150,000 state open space recreation grant for historic and passive parks awarded in 2006, along with a 10 percent local match from the City of Newport. The funds have been used to stabilize the base supports of the entire pier, replace the entire western wooden end of the pier, and repair the concrete platform. The City of Newport will need to apply for an additional grant from DEM for the second phase of the project, which will include replacement of the pier's wooden decking, rails, benches, safety ladders, and signage.

At the event, DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D. will announce the availability of a new round of passive and historic park development/recreation grants. The grants, from the 2004 Open Space bond fund, will provide up to 90 percent funding to municipalities to acquire, develop, or renovate passive and/or historic parks.

Participating in the event will be DEM Director W. Michael Sullivan, Ph.D., Newport Senator M. Teresa Paiva Weed, Mayor Newport Mayor Stephen Waluk, and Newport City Manager Edward Lavallee.

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Directions: From Providence Follow Rt. 95 South to Route 4 South to Route 1 South to Rt. 138 South toward Newport. Once you cross over the Pell Bridge take the first exit toward downtown Newport. At the first light turn right and go over the railroad tracks. The pier is located at the intersection of Van Zandt Ave. and Washington Street. When you reach the water the pier is straight ahead; parking is available along Washington Street.
For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer