The renovation of a waterfront park in Barrington earned the community a Rhode Island Smart Growth award recently. 

The Walker Farm resilience and revitalization project was selected as one of four Outstanding Smart Growth Projects during the 13th annual Rhode Island Smart Growth Awards, which was sponsored by the organization Grow Smart RI.

“The Walker Farm Resilience and Revitalization Project provides a regional template for successful action in the face of relentless climate impacts,” stated a press release from Grow Smart RI. “Highlights of the project include: restoring ecological function and habitats, increasing boating, shoreline and water access, adapting key infrastructure for resilience to flooding and storm events, improving food production and harvesting access and infrastructure, improving recreational and educational facilities, and connecting key walking and biking networks.”

According to previous reporting, the Walker Farm project included improvements to the coastline to protect the park against sea rise, and the installation of a new low-profile dock which will be handicap accessible. 

Early parts of the project started in 2022 and the final phase, the installation of the dock, are scheduled for completion next month. 

The initial cost estimate for the work was $750,000, with approximately $233,321 coming from a RI Department of Environmental Management grant; $143,706 coming from a RI Infrastructure Bank Municipal Resilience Program action grant; $45,000 from the RI Coastal Resources Management Council Habitat Restoration Fund grant; and local funding from various municipal accounts, including the Barrington Parks and Trails Capital Reserve Account. 

Bid approved

At a special Barrington Town Council meeting on Friday, April 11, officials discussed funding for the final phase of the Walker Farm project. Barrington Director of Planning, Building and Resiliency Herb Durfee told the councilors that the town had received a bid to drop in dock anchors and connect them with flexible cables about two years ago — the bid was for $23,000. Town officials have since re-bid the work, and the new figure was $40,000.

Durfee explained that the initial bid was only an estimate and did not include the full design. He also said the cost of the anchors and cables will be reimbursable. 

Barrington Town Council President Braxton Cloutier asked how much of the cost would be reimbursable, but Barrington Town Manager Phil Hervey cautioned that figuring out that amount was a little complication. He said some of the cost will be off-set. 

Councilor Jordan Jancosek said it would be nice to know the exact amount. Town officials proposed the funding come from the Barrington Parks and Trails Capital Reserve Account, and Jancosek said she was a little hesitant on pulling the money from that account since there are so many other needs for the town’s parks and trails. 

A short time later, Jancosek said she understood that the work needed to move forward. Hervey explained that there had been an issue with the project contractor more than a year ago, requiring the town to apply for and receive an extension for the work.

Jancosek asked when the work would be completed. Durfee said “No later than May 15.” He added that he was hopeful the project would be wrapped up earlier, by May 1, but definitely no later than May 15. 

He said that the dock anchors is the final step in the project; officials are hoping to hold a celebration for the completion of the Walker Farm renovations in May. 

Cloutier made a motion to approve the bid for $40,000. Jancosek seconded the bid, which passed 3-0. 

Award details

The 13th annual Rhode Island Smart Growth Awards “celebrate and honor the passionate, creative and resourceful people who continue leading the charge to strengthen Rhode Island through neighborhood revitalization, expanded housing and transportation choices, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunity that benefits the many, not just the few.”

Other award winners include Barbara Sokoloff and Clark Schoettle (Outstanding Smart Growth Leaders), Chepachet Village Revitalization Plan (Outstanding Smart Growth Plan), and newportFILM, Residences at Riverside Square and United Theatre (Outstanding Smart Growth Projects).