If you’ve never been to Newport’s only nature preserve, this is the summer to put it at the top of your "to-do" list! Directly across from Rogers High School on
the corner of Hazard and Wickham Roads, Ballard Park is thirteen acres of wild
and natural open space. With over a mile of trails to hike, spectacular vistas
of the ocean and surrounding neighborhoods, a one acre vernal pond, historic
rock quarry and three acre meadow, Ballard Park is the perfect spot to get away
from the hustle and bustle of downtown or let your kids blow off some steam.
Plus, Friends of Ballard Park is hosting a terrific lineup of events over the
next few weeks and most are free!

July is Jenkins Construction Music Month. Friends of Ballard Park is excited to
welcome Jenkins Construction back as the title sponsor of the series which
features four free outdoor concerts. The series kicks off Wednesday, July 11
from 6:30 to 8 p.m. with a performance by Milkbread.

Winners of the fifth and final Molly Finn Battle of the Bands, Milkbread is a large
jazz ensemble that incorporates a bit of hip hop into their songs. The band
members, former jazz majors at the University of Rhode Island who wanted to
“bring thought provoking, theoretically complex and emotionally moving music to
the masses,” are Ben Shaw on vocals and tenor sax, Dylan LaGamma on bass, Dylan Sevey on drums, Brendan Moore on keyboard, Chris Gagnon on alto and tenor sax, Matt Regan on guitar and Seth Bailey on trumpet. The band has performed at AS220, The Met, The Roosts Café, The Wheelhouse Tavern and The 201. Take a listen to their groovy sound and visit their blog for the inside scoop on the upcoming show.

All Jenkins Construction Music Month concerts will be held in Ballard Park’s quarry
meadow which is accessible through the Hazard Road entrance. In the event of
rain, concerts will be held the following evening. Seating is on the grass.
Concert goers are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs, as well as a picnic dinner!

Because it’s a distance from the entrance, the quarry meadow is the perfect
spot to let kids run around and meet new pals while parents catch up with their
own friends. And, if you don’t feel like cooking, stop by Blue Rocks Market at
7 Carroll Avenue and pick up one of their yummy sandwiches on your way to the
park! You can call and place an order at 847-9668 before you leave the house.

The 2012 concert lineup also includes performances by:

• The Honky Tonk Knights on July 18^th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm
• The Toe Jam Puppet Band on July 25^th from 10:00 to 11:00 am
• The Skinny Millionaires on July 25^th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm

The series is also sponsored by Kiki Finn and Nina Poanessa with support from Salve Regina University, Newport Grand and Stagecraft Sound & Lighting.

Visit www.ballardpark.org or call 619.3377 for more information or to sign up to receive invitations to all of the events happening at Ballard Park.