Friends of Ballard Park in Newport RI

As with any nonprofit organization, the breadth of our programming is reliant on the generosity of the community. Funds raised from Friends of Ballard Park's Annual Appeal and Memberships help to offset general operating expenses not covered by grants or corporate sponsorships. Donations to the Annual Appeal are 100% tax deductible and all donors will receive confirmation of their donation as well as recognition in our Annual Report and on our web site www.ballardpark.org.

Friends of Ballard Park formed as a nonprofit organization in 1996 with the mission of preserving, protecting and maintain Newport’s Only Nature Preserve. The park’s thirteen acres form an important habitat corridor for a diversity of wildlife including deer, mink, otter and many unique birds while offering a nature trail system on which the public can experience habitats and terrain unique to Aquidneck Island.

Over the years Friends of Ballard Park have worked to strike a balance between keeping the park in as natural state as possible and making it a place that is inviting to the public. Educational programs and cultural events have been designed to encourage stewardship, exploration and enjoyment of the natural environment. They also discourage negative park activities such as vandalism and underage drinking parties.

Memberships help to ensure that needed resources are available to preserve one of Newport’s hidden gems and provide quality outdoor education and events free or at little or no cost to the community.