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Many conversations have taken place over the past six months that have resulted in a revised design for Queen Anne Square by renowned landscape architect Maya Lin.

Beloved by many, the park elicits strong opinions for and against the changes proposed for it by the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF).

Newport This Week spoke with many of the key players in the debate, asking the questions that our readers wanted answered.

What is going to happen to the trees?

Scott Wheeler, Newport’s Tree Warden and Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds, said: “Members of the Tree Society, the Open Space Commission, and I met with Pieter Roos (executive director of NRF) and also had an on-site walk through the square.

In early May, I compiled two pages of notes regarding maintainability, and also offered quite a few suggestions about lighting, irrigation and handicap access. I gave the input to Ed Lavallee, the city manager, and Pieter. A key piece of feedback was to keep an unobstructed view corridor from the park looking up to Trinity Church. Initially, 23 trees were to be removed, but now because of our input, only nine trees will be relocated or cut down.

Basically, those that are out of character are going, and there will be a more naturalized landscape. I have been involved in many controversial projects, like the one at the Newport Library. My job is to look at the project, and not be in favor or object, but evaluate the implications. For example, will stone dust be too near a drinking fountain?”

What has been your biggest concern with the project?

Kate Leonard, council member for the ward which contains the park, said: “The park belongs to the public, and that means, to me, total transparency. The public and the council need to know exactly what the result will be.

The maintenance agreement is also a major concern of mine, and what the associated costs will be. All of those things need to be looked at, not in a vacuum, but with public input. We need to look at it with open eyes and not with conjecture.”

Will there be any seating with backs?

Pieter Roos, Executive Director of Newport Restoration Foundation, said: “At first, seating with backs was not in the plan, but as time went on, and we received feedback, we need to have some more traditional seating with backs, and that is now a firm part of the plan.