PORTSMOUTH — A second public workshop on the development of Mt. Hope Park will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, at Portsmouth Middle School, 125 Jepson Lane.

In January 2016, the Town of Portsmouth and the Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT) purchased about 5 acres of property — including about 1.5 acres of dry land jutting out into Mt. Hope Bay — for $900,000. Of that amount, $600,000 came from town funds allocated in the previous budget for bonding. The remaining $300,000 came from ALT.

Under the arrangement, the town holds ownership and ALT holds the conservation easement, which permanently protects the property as open space and parklands. ALT and the town plan to develop it as a new, permanently conserved park.

The parcel, located at the intersection of Bayview Avenue and Bristol Ferry Road, features scenic views of the bridge and surrounding water. 

At the first workshop on Feb. 1, abutters expressed concerns over parking, trash, the property’s stability and the project’s overall scope.

Horsley Witten Group, Inc., the consulting firm that conducted a site analysis of the property, took comments and priorities from that workshop and, combined with online survey responses and the conservation easement, developed a draft conceptual development plan.

For more information, updates, and how to get involved, visit www.mthopepark.com.