To say that Newport’s Cliff Walk is a beautiful stroll is like saying Mount Rushmore is a big sculpture.
The public 3.5 mile National Recreation Trail, now restored following damage done by Hurricane Sandy to the tune of $5.2 million, is a monument to the beauty and power of the sea as well as the glory of the Gilded Age.
The walk is part of what makes Newport such an interesting and essential part of the Rhode Island experience.
Now another part of the city’s heritage is looking for a different kind of recognition. A state commission has been tasked with securing placement on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
A previous attempt to gain inclusion on the list fell short, but a new approach, one that moves beyond the classic Colonial architecture, separation of church and state and royal charter story – and includes the slave trade and the problematic relationship with the local Native American tribes – would seem to hold more appeal to an international audience.
The commission’s work is important, as Newport deserves recognition for its past contributions to the world we live in today. •