New on Bellevue: Preservation Society Enhances the Avenue Experience

Signing the agreement. Trudy Coxe & Ted Clement

Supporters and members of The Preservation Society and the Aquidneck Land Trust arrived on a cold day to celebrate another step in preserving the beauty and historic nature of Bellevue Avenue, as the Society granted a conservation easement on Rovensky Park to the Land Trust. The ceremony and celebration was a happy event, held in a charming heated tent within the park, with elegant hors d'oeuvres and hot beverages served.

Under the new agreement, The Preservation Society will retain sole ownership and management of the property, which was deeded to the organization in 1959 by John E. Rovensky in memory of his wife, subject to the condition that it “be kept and maintained…as a park, and for no other purpose.” The easement will ensure that the park will continue to be maintained as an pastoral park in perpetuity

Jonathan Pardee, David Thalmann of ALT, Rod O'Hanley

and Bettie Pardee

“This action will provide an extra level of protection, over and above the wording of the deed, legally protecting the character of Rovensky Park as a bucolic park forever,” said Preservation Society CEO & Executive Director Trudy Coxe. “By granting this easement we are ensuring the public will always be able to enjoy this beautiful property, and also demonstrating our support for the protection of Newport’s historic landscapes as part of our overall mission of historic preservation.

The conservation easement will maintain the park as it is, legally prohibiting any subdivision, siting of recreational buildings, permanent billboards or parking lots, unnecessary planting or cutting of trees and plants, dumping, and general use of motorized vehicles.

Ted Clement, of ALT, at the convocation

“We applaud the Preservation Society’s long-term vision, leadership and generosity along with this creative partnership of historic preservation and conservation interests,” said Ted Clement, Executive Director for the Aquidneck Land Trust. “Too often, parks conserved with conservation intent alone or basic deed restrictions have been wholly or partially lost to development pressures. This is why the Aquidneck Land Trust’s Newport Conservation Initiative has a parks component. We need to ensure the perpetual protection of our cherished parks for our long-term well-being.”

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island is a non-profit organization accredited by the American Association of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes and decorative arts.

Trudy Coxe, of the Preservation Society, as Ted Clement of ALT
(l) looks on

The Aquidneck Land Trust, the only nationally accredited land trust in the state of Rhode Island, is a non-profit organization with a mission to conserve Aquidneck Island’s open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community. To date, the Aquidneck Land Trust has conserved over 2,300 acres on 60 properties.

Seen were Jonathan & Bettie Pardee, Ronald Dick, Rod O'Hanley, Bill Lucey, of the Newport Daily News, Bunny Duckman, whose mother donated a piece of the land of Rovensky Park, John Rodman, Philip Pelletier, Board members Jim Mason, Charles Cronin, researchers Holly Collins, Rebecca Kelly, Caitlin Emery, and many supporters.

John Rodman, of the Preservation Society, and Jim Moore

Bill Lucey and David Leys speaking to a guest

Ronald Dick, a great supporter of Rovensky Park

A Newport and Bellevue Aveue treasure, Rovensky Park

In winter!

The commemorative plaque

Historic Markers Unveiled on Bellevue Avenue

Former Mayor Jeanne Napolitano

speaking

In an earlier dedication ceremony at the historic Isaac Bell House, The Preservation Society unveiled new historic markers placed on 11 properties along Bellevue Avenue, which contain detailed histories of the properties on which they are placed, and are meant to inform visitors of the avenue's proud history.

Trudy Coxe heralded it as a marker event, former Mayor Jeanne Napolitano was on hand to congratulate, as were the overseer of the project John Tschirch, Architectural Historian, Curator of the Preservation Society Paul Miller, Ronald Fleming, former Trustee of the Board of The Preservation Society, who originated the idea, and was there to celebrate its fruition.

The series of 11 markers detail the history and preservation of the street, beginning at the Newport Casino and continuing to Doris Duke's mansion. Rough Point. Many markers are located on the Preservation Society's properties — the Isaac Bell House, The Elms, The Preservation Society headquarters, Chateau-sur-Mer, Rosecliff, Marble House and Rovensky Park, as well – the stories told on each are inclusive of the history of entire blocks and buildings lost to demolition.

Trudy Coxe welcome visitors

"They're meant to tell and preserve the stories of the avenue, from the architecture to the families, to the rise and fall of the buildings," said Mr. Tschirch. Tschirch had research and writing assistance from Holly Collins, and editing and fact-checking assistance from Rebecca Kelly and Caitlin Emery.

Mayor Napolitano said "This is so important as we progress in Newport, that everybody be able to enjoy all that we have to offer."

The Preservation Society cited assistance from the Newport Restoration Foundation, Salve Regina University for the marker at the Pell Center for International Relations, David Bazarsky for the marker at Bellevue Plaza, and Aram Garabedian for the marker at the Bellevue Gardens Shopping Center.