CRMC, Save Bristol Harbor celebrate five adopted ROWs

WARWICK – Officials from the Town of Bristol, along with the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council and Save Bristol Harbor, will gather at one of the town’s CRMC-designated Rights-of-Way on Monday, November 19 to celebrate the adoption of five local ROWs through the CRMC’s Adopt-an-Access Program.

Bristol Town Administrator Diane C. Mederos, members of the town council, CRMC officials and staff and representatives from Save Bristol Harbor will visit the Walley Street (S-6) Right-of-Way at 11 a.m. to celebrate that and four other Bristol ROWs that the group recently adopted by Save Bristol Harbor. The others include Poppasquash Road (S-19), Oliver Street (S-22), Constitution Street (S-4) and Union Street (S-5).

“The Walley Street and other Rights-of-Way are prime public access points in Bristol, with access to the beach and are great spots for recreational fishing,” said CRMC Chairman Michael M. Tikoian. “It’s vital that we preserve these designated public access points for all members of the public."

The CRMC Adopt-an-Access program ensures that ROWs are maintained and protected as scenic access points that lead to quality fishing sites, to be utilized and enjoyed by the public. The adopted locations are protected from the rapid development of the coastline, and the lapse of time, which has left many other ROWs overgrown and difficult to access. Under the program, the CRMC, adoptive partner and the town in which the ROW is located enter into an agreement that permits the partner to install Adopt-an-Access signage with logos of both the CRMC and that group.

“We are proud to showcase these five Rights-of-Way as an example of what the CRMC does to protect the public’s right to access, and the success of the Adopt-an-Access Program,” Tikoian said. “Hopefully others throughout the state will be adopted by organizations and concerned citizens through our program, to provide them regular maintenance and additional protection from development. We applaud Save Bristol Harbor in their efforts and their commitment to public access in Bristol.”

Directions: Walley Street- From Rt. 195E take exit 8 to Rt. 114 heading south toward Bristol. Stay on Rt. 114 through East Providence, Barrington, Warren and Bristol (Rt. 114 is Hope Street in Bristol). Stay on Hope Street, passing through downtown Bristol. Walley Street is just south of the downtown district, and it is the street after Burnside Street. The ROW is identified by a blue and white CRMC public access sign on the shoulder of Hope Street. Access the ROW parking lot by taking a right turn off Hope Street just after the ROW sign.