Help Casey Farm, and pedestrians

From Historic New England's site manager at Casey Farm, on Boston Neck Road.

Dear Friends,

As you may know, Casey Farm has been granted permission from the State of Rhode Island to put a crosswalk across Boston Neck Road at the intersection of Casey Farm’s main entrance and the entrance to the trails leading to Casey Point at Narragansett Bay. Support from our neighbors and members, the Town of North Kingstown, the State Traffic Commission, and many efforts by Historic New England’s staff over several years will finally result in a painted crosswalk this Spring to be installed by the State. Historic New England is taking this opportunity to re-grade and improve our entrance drive for better pedestrian access and so cars are less likely to scrape undercarriages. I can hear the cheering from drivers and pedestrians already!

Also in the good news department, a private foundation has funded a civil engineer we hired to design the crosswalk, accessible sidewalk landings on either side, re-graded driveway apron, and to file drawings and plans with the State. This funding will extend to covering construction costs for Casey Farm’s responsibilities for the project. More cheers!

What we still need is funding for two solar-powered LED flashing crosswalk signs. For purchase and installation, these signs cost $15,000. As many of you have expressed, we see them as a must-have for both sides of the crosswalk to catch the attention of drivers as they cruise by the fantastic views leading to the crosswalk location. Farm teachers with children in our education programs, farm staff, tourists, hikers, and neighbors needing to cross can press a button to make the signs blink and stop motorists just when needed.

So many of you have been supportive in this collaboration between the farm, the town, and our neighbors. Would you consider a donation toward these signs so we can make the farm a safer place for everyone? A convenient opportunity is coming up from March 31 through April 3: The 401 Gives Campaign with the United Way. Here is the link, and all of us at Casey Farm would be grateful if you donate toward our solar-powered crosswalk signs. https://www.401gives.org/ (Enter "Historic New England" or "Casey Farm" in the search box.)

Feel free to share this email or our Facebook posts. I’m happy to share more about the project with anyone by phone or email, and thank you,

Jane M. Hennedy Site Manager, Southern R.I.

(she/her) Historic New England Casey Farm

2325 Boston Neck Rd.

Saunderstown, RI 02874 401-237-7474 HistoricNewEngland.org Virtual tour: Casey.Farm