Fort Adams State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fort Adams State Park
Fort Adams State Park Location in Rhode Island
Location	Newport, Rhode Island, United States
Area	105 acres (42 ha)
Elevation	7 ft (2.1 m)
Established	1965
Administrator	Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Parks & Recreation, and the United States Department of Defense
Website	Fort Adams State Park

Fort Adams State Park is a really cool place in Newport, Rhode Island. It's a big park that protects an old military fort called Fort Adams. This fort was used by the military for a long time, starting way back in 1841. It sits right at the entrance of Newport's harbor. Today, the park is famous for hosting awesome music events like the Newport Jazz Festival and the Newport Folk Festival. It's also home to Sail Newport, where you can learn about sailing, and the historic Eisenhower House.

Exploring Fort Adams State Park

Fort Adams State Park is a public area where everyone can have fun and learn about history. It's a great spot to visit if you're in Rhode Island. The park helps keep the old Fort Adams safe and open for people to explore.

A Look at the Park's Past

The land where Fort Adams State Park now stands was once owned by a person named William Brenton. He called this area "Hammersmith." You can still see this name today in the nearby Hammersmith Farm. After being a military base for many years, the State of Rhode Island took over Fort Adams. This happened in 1965, and that's when it officially became a state park.

Fun Things to Do at the Park

There are so many exciting things you can do at Fort Adams State Park!

Amazing Views and Outdoor Fun

You can enjoy incredible views of the harbor and Narragansett Bay. It's a perfect place for taking pictures! The park also offers lots of outdoor activities. You can go swimming, boating, or have a picnic with your family and friends. There are even big fields for playing sports.

Sports and Rugby

The park has a special rugby field called the Joseph "Jay" Kirwin Memorial Rugby Pitch. This is where the Newport Rugby Football Club plays. Rugby teams from Salve Regina University also use these fields. Besides the main rugby pitch, there are two other fields that can be used for soccer or rugby. Every summer, the park hosts the annual Newport Rugby Sevens Tournament, which is a fast-paced rugby event.

Guided Tours and History

If you want to learn more about the fort, the Fort Adams Trust offers guided tours. These tours happen during certain seasons. You can explore the historic Fort Adams itself. You can also see the Fort Adams Advanced Southern Redoubt, which was another part of the fort's defenses. Another cool spot is the Eisenhower "Summer White House," a historic building with an interesting past.

Fort Adams State Beach

The park also has a small beach called Fort Adams State Beach. It's a shallow area that's roped off for safe swimming. The sand can be a little rocky, but it's still a nice spot to cool off. Right next to the beach is the Dr. Fred Alofsin Special Events Building. This building has bathrooms, showers, and picnic tables. There's also a small parking lot nearby for visitors.