Warwick Beacon — In search of a ‘common-sense solution’

Warwick legislators and representatives of Safe Harbor marina on Arnold’s Neck met last Thursday before walking to view a public access to a sandy beach on Apponaug Cove. Pictured, from left, are Patti Doyle of Patti Doyle Communications, Rep. David Bennett, marina General Manager Mary Hunt, state Sen. Mark McKenney, Councilman Jack Kirby. 

Beacon Media photos by John Howell

December 11, 2025

By John Howell — WARWICK, RI — Danelle DeBye, who has filed suit against Safe Harbor marinas to ensure that she as well as emergency-response vehicles have access to her Arnold’s Neck home is hopeful the matter can be resolved without court action.

That would be the preference, too, of City Councilman Jack Kirby, Rep. David Bennett and Sen. Mark McKenney, who met with Safe Harbor representatives last Thursday morning.

 DeBye’s home offers a panoramic view of Greenwich Bay and the Safe Harbor Marina, formerly owned by the John Dickerson family. The address is Midgley Avenue, which was abandoned when Dickerson owned the boatyard and the house. However, when the house was sold independently, a right of way wasn’t established even though DeBye’s garage faces the boatyard and the driveway extends to the marina property line.

“I think they have seen the light that they have to do something,” Kirby said following the meeting, which started off in the marina office followed by the group walking to a beach on Apponaug Cove to the north. They followed a right of way that was negotiated by the state Coastal Resources Management Council when Dickerson was looking for approval to expand the marina in 2002. It’s a nice public amenity, but it’s not what the officials had come to talk about last Thursday.

Their attention was focused on DeBye’s house and a rocky beach that faces the Chepiwanoxet peninsula and the two Safe Harbor Cowesett marinas on Folly Landing Road. 

“The purpose of the meeting was simply to introduce the Safe Harbor Cowesett management team to the local elected officials and to underscore our ongoing commitment to maintain public access to the shore while also ensuring public safety, as Safe Harbor Cowesett is an active boatyard.” Doyle accompanied the Safe Harbor staff and legislators on a tour of the access to a small beach on Apponaug Cove and then viewed the rocky beach abutting DeBye’s property. 

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