Leaders in the northeastern American city of Newport, Rhode Island, are facing a difficult question: Should the city continue to rebuild its famous Cliff Walk?The question is a hard one because parts of the wall keep falling into the sea.Last week, coastal erosion caused nine meters of the path to break into the sea below.Erosion is the slow destruction of something by natural force.The Cliff Walk is one of the most popular places to visit in Rhode Island.It is a central part of Newport's identity.It offers visitors beautiful views of Rhode Island's coastal environment.The five-kilometer path travels next to huge costly homes that sit high above the rocky coastline.A 2018 study found that about 1.3 million people visit the Cliff Walk each year.In 2012, a powerful ocean storm washed out parts of the path.The path was repaired then at a cost of $5 million in federal money.
