Distribution of Open Space – Greenbelts

The spatial distribution of open space and low density residential land will play an important role in how well indigenous wildlife populations will adapt to continuing community development. Greenbelts are also important in terms of public access, panoramic views, and the physical
character of the town.

The parcels of land that exist in Narragansett can be viewed as a series of residential and commercial clusters separated by greenbelts. The swaths of undeveloped land have survived in a generally natural state due to various developmental constraints such as high water tables, wetlands, lack of sewers, or owners for whom residential development has thus far been a low priority.

When viewed as a positive land use rather than the absence of development, greenbelts help to preserve high water quality, biological diversity, forest resources, community identity and a sense of place. Greenbelts protect scenic views and other resources of interest for local tourism. They help to define the three distinct areas of town, differentiating the Pier area from the South and North Ends. In the future, greenbelts may accommodate economic growth provided proper
site planning and design practices are observed. In Narragansett, greenbelt areas are currently used for purposes, including conservation and recreation, a golf course and developments, without significantly compromising the natural values of the landscape.
Regulations favoring cluster development, buffers and open space protection will result in higher level of habitat protection and
pollution control. Conversely, continued sprawl development without buffers, as is present in most of the older plats will encourage continued damage and disruption to wildlife. The greater the diversity and continuity of the various habitats, the greater is the potential for preserving an intact and balanced wildlife resource in Narragansett.

Most of Narragansett’s shoreline has been cut into small parcels resulting in negative impacts on use and enjoyment of the shoreline by the public. These include impediments to travel along the shore (a constitutional right in Rhode Island), visual clutter or total obscurement of ocean views, intensified development impacts on the shore and near shore via seawalls, dock construction and bacterial/petroleum from septic system roadways. While many of the land use patterns are already in place, new shoreline development can be designed to avoid the loss of commonly held resources.

Despite resources of notable beauty, views of the resource by the pedestrian or motorist are often blocked. Where views are available they should be maintained and enhanced (center of town, Bridgepoint Commons, Sunset Farm). Development via cluster and maintenance of visual buffers should be a standard design practice.

Source: NARRAGANSETT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2005 – 2008

The Bonnet Shores Greenbelt

Please use this map to take a journey through our proposed Bonnet Shores Greenbelt, designed by the green line. It becomes apparent that a considerable amount of this land is already in conservation status. The green areas are owned by the Bonnet Shores Land Trust, the orange by the Audubon Society, and the purple by the Narragansett Land Trust. The Fire District continues to own all of the streets in Bonnet Shores. Therefore those paper streets noted in red already fall into the watershed for Wesquage Pond. Your Land Trust has targeted the lots on those undeveloped roads in an appeal for a tax-deductible donation by the owners.

Bonnet Maps - LT Land - Audubon Land - Paper Roads 2018

  Paper Roads

When Bonnet Shores was originally platted in the 1930’s, there were no zoning, conservation, set back, septic, road, wetlands, etc., restrictions as we know them today.  Because of the prohibitive costs to meet modern codes, the Fire District is not motivated nor does it have the resources to provide the infrastructure to develop these paper streets and provide drainage in this mostly wetlands area.

October 1st 2015 Minutes - Legal opinion on Bonnet Shores Paper Roads

 Is your property on a paper road? If so you may want to consider donating!

Click map below and see.

 Paper Roads of Bonnet Shores PDF 3-2015

Source: Bonnet Shores Brochure of 2001