DUNLAP-WHEELER PARK UPGRADES CONSIDERED
MIDDLETOWN, RI (MARCH 18, 2026) – To some, the lower Aquidneck Avenue area of Middletown is an unpolished gem waiting to sparkle.
The town is considering improvements to Dunlap-Wheeler Park there to help boost those ambitions.
At a meeting earlier this week, the Town Council gave its endorsement of conceptual designs featuring low-impact walking paths, seating and viewing areas as well as extensive beachside upgrades to “harden” the park from storms and sea-level rise.
Before any work takes place, local leaders made it clear the town needed to complete final design, secure necessary permits and an estimated $1.6 million to pay for the project, likely relying on grants and other non-tax dollars for funding.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski thanked the Open Space & Fields Committee, Tree Commission, residents and businesspeople for their involvement and passion for the 1.3-acre park by the Newport city line. He said 170 separate surveys were returned during the public comment period, most making it clear they didn’t want the use of the park amplified.
“I think what you’ll see is (we’re recommending) a fairly limited amount of changes to the park,” Wolanski said. “What we started with was more ambitious ideas, and through the work with the committees and the public input that we received through a public survey, it became clear that sometimes less is more.”
Going back two decades, Middletown has talked about a dynamic plan to remake the entire beachfront neighborhood overlooking Atlantic Beach and Easton’s Beach in Newport.
Known as the Atlantic Beach District Master Plan, new sidewalks, street lighting, crosswalks, roadwork and more have been contemplated to help bolster the walkability, safety and viability of the area. Plans for these “streetscape” improvements are currently in development.
To view the latest with that proposal, go to https://www.middletownri.gov/224/Atlantic-Beach-District-Master-Plan online.
The state Department of Transportation has identified streetscape and roadway improvements in its State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) to make it safer for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. Under the latest schedule, construction on both of those projects is planned to start in Fiscal 2031.
There’s also been talk of creating a new boardwalk north along Easton and Green End ponds to link the section of town to other parts of the community, including Middletown Valley Park behind the Aquidneck Shopping Centre.
Complicated and costly plans to underground utilities are also being considered, with the Town Council expected to make a decision on whether to proceed with that aspect of the improvements once cost estimates are available and potential funding options are identified.
In September 2024, the town hosted a kickoff meeting to discuss the future of Dunlap-Wheeler Park and what should happen with the property — if anything. BETA Group of Lincoln, RI, was hired to assist with the park's redesign.
From the beginning, town officials said there were a number of options up for consideration and community input would be a critical part of the process.
Wolanski said the town’s Open Space & Fields Committee and Tree Commission played an important role in the process.
It was noted during the presentation to the Town Council that based on feedback from the surveys and input from local boards and commissions, it was clear most did not want to see the park change much and the general use amplified. Many were hesitant to do anything to tailor the park more to the tourist traffic in the area.
BETA Group Senior Project Manager Nathan Socha presented a detailed computer slideshow of the existing conditions at the park and what was suggested to change.
He said if the town decided to move forward, most of the cost of the project would be dedicated to protecting the park from the ocean.
To view his presentation, visit https://www.middletownri.gov/DocumentCenter/View/23181/Dunlap-Wheeler-Park-concept-slides online.
“The intent (of the project) is low profile, with native plantings and we’d work to increase those buffers…” Socha said. “(There’s) been great community input and that really guided us through the process."
After Socha’s presentation, there were a number of questions from the council, everything from where the money would come from for the work to why buildings weren’t included and more.
Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan said title research indicated no structures like gazebos or bridges could be built at the park given the current conservation easements. He said that could be amended if the will was there from the town, but not without significant legal work in Superior Court, with the State Attorney General’s office and other related entities.
Council members said they liked the plan before the community, especially that it wouldn’t shift the existing uses of the park.
“I think this is great, that we have scaled this back…” Councilor Charlie Roberts said. “It’s such a beautiful area and I think what you guys have (recommended) definitely enhances that…I would like to see what kind of (external) funding we can get for this.”
Council President Paul Rodrigues said like almost everything else for the town, whether any work progressed was about the bottom line.
“I don’t want to speak for my peers, but the plan looks really nice,” Rodrigues said. “It’s like anything else — it comes down to dollars and cents to make it a reality. Based on what I see tonight, I really like it and I hope at some point we can secure funding for it — not tax dollar money hopefully — and make it happen."
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-DWP
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality 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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401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.gov