Blackstone Valley Tourism Council

Educational River ProgramsPatti McAlpine

The Blackstone Valley Tourism Councilproviding access for people of all ages

on the Blackstone River

Students

Residents, Seniors and Visitors

Blackstone Valley Tourism CouncilRiver Access for All since 1989

•1989 Guided historic interpretative canoe tours, Albion/Ashley/Berkley Mill Villages

•1991 Glass bottom boat Demonstration program provides first tours on the river

•1993 Blackstone Valley Explorer launched

•1995 Spirit launched providing access for smaller groups, handicapped

1999 Chinese Dragonboats provide access to the river teams Central Falls in Pawtucket

2000 Samuel Slater Canal Boat provides overnight access on the Blackstone River. Sleeps four and offer tea tours of groups of 10-12 for a unique and serene way to enjoy the river

2004 Six Taiwanese Dragonboats provide opportunity for local groups, businesses, teachers to participate in practice & races on the river.

Launched in 1993

First Riverboat on the Blackstone in 175 years

Carried over 350,000 passengers

Handicapped accessibility

49-passenger riverboat

Built in Rhode Island by Blount Marine

The Blackstone Valley Explorer

Reconnaissance of the River on Tourism One

An early exploration of the Blackstone in Woonsocket with Representative Kennedy

The Spirit of the Blackstone Valley Launched in 1995 in Cumberland

Dragonboats providing recreational opportunities for 10 years

The Canal Boat Samuel Slater

Launched in 2000 for the Millennium

Built in Cambridgeshire England by C.T. Fox expressly for BVTC Millennium

Only Bed and Breakfast on the River

Celebrates the sister relationship between the Amber Valley England and Blackstone Valley

The Blackstone Valley Explorer, The Spirit of the Blackstone Valley and The Canal Boat Samuel Slater

at the Central Falls Landing.

River Places The Explorer Has BeenBlackstone Canal, Massachusetts at RiverBend Farm

Blackstone River, Massachusetts at Blackstone Gorge

Providence River

Woonasquatucket River

Narrow River, South County

Woonsocket

Central Falls

Cumberland

Pawtucket

North Smithfield

The Blackstone Valley Explorer

Educational Programs:

•Eco-Discovery- an environmental and heritage tour

•River Science Investigation

•Heritage Exploration

•Wild About Wetlands

Over 150,000 students have participated in the program that uses the following standards: •Flexibility

•Adaptability

•Hands-On

•Awareness

•Observation

•Inquiry-Based

•River Advocacy

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS RIVERCLASSROOM

Narragansett Bay CommissionCity of PawtucketCity of Central FallsCadillac MillsKnights of ColumbusEPANavigant Credit UnionBristol County Savings BankAudubon Society of Rhode IslandSave the BayCumberland OCYL Girl Scouts of Rhode IslandMuseum of Work & CultureHelping HandsBank of AmericaPawtucket Credit UnionHospital Trust

Community Support for our River Education Programs

Public Tours provide Visitors and residents an opportunity to explore and learn about the Blackstone River

Citizens Bank Foundation fund Free Sundays on the River for past 3 years

Rivers Day Celebration Free Tours sponsored by JHC Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor

Tours on the Explorer provide an opportunity for all ages and all mobilities

Strengths, Weaknesses & OpportunitiesStrengths Access for All Federal Funding to use the Explorer for extended researchCarried over 350,000 passengers since 1989 Is a known resource by media, groups, schools for river access

Weaknesses Landings are not sufficient Difficulty in spending the Landing funds easily Funding not sufficient for easy growth

Opportunities More capability for use of the boat Availability for partnerships Safer access for passengers Threats Flooding Severe weather events Vandalism