public access to the rhode island coast

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Public Accessto the Rhode Island Coast

A guide to parks, wildliferefuges, beaches, fishingsites, boat ramps, pathways,and views along the RhodeIsland coast

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Block Island

Please NoteOf all the hundreds of potential public coastal access sites to the shoreline, including street ends and rights-of-way, this

guide represents a selection of sites that are both legally available and suitable for use by the public. This guide is not a legaldocument; it is simply intended to help the public find existing access sites to the coast. As of winter 2003–04, all descriptions areaccurate to the best of our knowledge. Each site was visited and descriptions verified to the best of our ability. However,inaccuracies may still exist in the text, since conditions are constantly changing and more sites are being adopted and managedfor public use.

Please send comments to: Monica Allard Cox, Rhode Island Sea Grant, University of Rhode Island Graduate School ofOceanography, Narragansett, RI 02882.

Additional copies of this publication are available from the Rhode Island Sea Grant Communications Office, University ofRhode Island Bay Campus, Narragansett, RI 02882-1197. Order P1696.

Loan copies of this publication are available from the National Sea Grant Library, Pell Library Building, University of RhodeIsland Bay Campus, Narragansett, RI 02882-1197. Order RIU-H-04-001.

This publication is sponsored by R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council, by Rhode Island Sea Grant under NOAA GrantNo. NA 16RG1057, and by the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center. The views expressed herein are those of theauthors and do not necessarily reflect the views of CRMC, CRC, or NOAA or any of its sub-agencies. The U.S. Government isauthorized to produce and distribute reprints for governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation that may appearhereon.

Sustainable Coastal Communities Report #4404

This document should be referenced as:Allard Cox, M. (ed.). 2004. Public Access to the Rhode Island Coast. Rhode Island Sea Grant. Narragansett, R.I. 84pp.

Designer: Wendy Andrews-Bolster, Puffin Enterprises

Printed on recycled paper

ISBN #0-938412-45-0Rhode Island

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Public Accessto the Rhode Island Coast

Written byRhode Island Sea GrantCoastal Resources CenterUniversity of Rhode Island

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Acknowledgements

This second edition of Public Access to the Rhode Island Coast is updated from Lee, V. and P. Pogue.1993. Public Access to the Rhode Island Coast. Rhode Island Sea Grant, Narragansett, R.I. 75pp.

I would like to thank Adam Zitello who, as a University of Rhode Island (URI) Coastal Fellow, visited thesites and photographed and catalogued them. His work was instrumental in capturing the breadth of informa-tion included in this guide. I would also like to thank Kevin Cute, Marine Resources Specialist, R.I. CoastalResources Management Council, who, with tireless advocacy for public access to the coast, has helped tomake this guide as inclusive and accurate as possible.

Special thanks goes to Wendy Andrews-Bolster for her many hours of painstaking work in designingthis guide to be both beautiful and usable.

I also gratefully acknowledge the efforts of the following people in providing content and/or reviewingsite listings and maps for accuracy.

• Tom Ardito, Narragansett Bay Estuary Program• Kim Botelho, R.I. Department of Environmental Management• Theresa Burke• David Byrnes, R.I. Saltwater Anglers Association• Carl G. Carvell, Weekapaug Fire District• Michael Cassidy, Pawtucket Department of Planning and Redevelopment• Marilyn Cohen, North Kingstown Department of Planning• Betsy de Leiris, Norman Bird Sanctuary• James W. Farley, The Mount Hope Trust• Charlie Festa, University of Rhode Island• Lynn Furney, City of Cranston• Arthur Ganz, R.I. Department of Environmental Management• Dan Geagan, City of Warwick• Robert Gilstein, Town of Portsmouth• Geoff Grout, R.I. Economic Development Corporation• William Haase, Town of Westerly• Charlotte Johnson, Rose Island Lighthouse• Richard Kerbel, North Kingstown Harbor Management Commission• Bob Kilmarx, Barrington Conservation Land Trust• Mil Kinsella-Sullivan, Common Fence Point Improvement Association• Karen LaChance, R.I. Economic Development Corporation• Eugenia Marks, Audubon Society of Rhode Island• Steve Medeiros, R.I. Saltwater Anglers Association• Don Minto, Watson Farm• Bob Moeller, R.I. Saltwater Anglers Association• Larry Mouradjian, R.I. Division of Parks and Recreation• Bill Mulholland, Pawtucket Parks and Recreation Department• Lisa Nolan, Southeast Lighthouse Foundation• Andrew Nota, Narragansett Parks and Recreation Department• John O’Brien, R.I. Department of Environmental Management Division of Fish and Wildlife• Becky Pellerin, Town of North Kingstown• Michael Rubin, Rhode Island Special Assistant to the Attorney General• Bob Rutkiewicz, Warren Conservation Commission• Lee Schisler, Audubon Society of Rhode Island• Frances Segerson, R.I. Department of Transportation• Raymond Sousa, Town of Barrington• Lori Urso, Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association• Lee Whitaker, Town of East Greenwich• Tim Wolken, Town of South Kingstown• Sandra Wyatt, Barrington Conservation Land Trust

And thanks to Rhode Island Sea Grant staff for their assistance in preparation of this guide. Maps wereadapted from base maps provided for the first edition by the URI Environmental Data Center.

—Monica Allard Cox, EditorRhode Island Sea Grant Communications

North Light, Block Island

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Table of Contents

Block Island

Introduction ......................................................................... 4Public Access: A Tradition of Value ................................ 5How to Use This Guide ...................................................... 6Saltwater Sportfishing Laws and Licensing....................................................... 7Safety Tips ........................................................................... 7

Public Access Locations ................................................... 9Block Island ......................................................................... 11Westerly ............................................................................... 15Charlestown ........................................................................ 19South Kingstown................................................................. 19 Continues on page 26Narragansett ....................................................................... 19Jamestown .......................................................................... 31North Kingstown ................................................................. 31 Continues on page 38East Greenwich................................................................... 37Warwick ............................................................................... 37Cranston ............................................................................... 43Providence........................................................................... 43Pawtucket ............................................................................ 43East Providence .................................................................. 43Barrington ............................................................................ 53Warren ................................................................................. 53Bristol ................................................................................... 59Portsmouth .......................................................................... 65 Continues on page 70Tiverton ................................................................................. 65 Continues on page 70Little Compton ..................................................................... 69Middletown.......................................................................... 69Newport ............................................................................... 75

CRMC Rights-of-Way ......................................................... 82Index ..................................................................................... 83

Coastlines

Fall Fishing in South County .............................................. 8Coastal Birding in Rhode Island ....................................... 10The Wood and Pawcatuck Rivers ................................... 15Narragansett Bay ............................................................... 20Ninigret Pond ...................................................................... 21Surfing in Rhode Island ..................................................... 25Designing Providence’s Riverfront Revival .................... 44A Century of Change: Providence Harbor Shorelines .................................... 45Bringing Back the Blackstone ......................................... 46Salt Marsh ........................................................................... 52Osprey .................................................................................. 58The Quahog ......................................................................... 64Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve ....................................... 65American Holly .................................................................... 74Piping Plover ....................................................................... 74CRMC’s Public Right-of-Way Process ............................ 80

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Rhode Island is richly endowed with a magnificent shoreline. Access to this shore is an essential part ofthe heritage of the people of the Ocean State. As a consequence of a long tradition of a variety of commercial

uses of the shore, combined with forward-looking government policy to purchase coastal open space for public use,Rhode Island has a multitude of coastal access areas. This is a guide to 344 popular public access sites chosen from themany hundreds that exist. It is a guide to the variety of different kinds of access and recreational opportunities theyprovide, whether you wish to launch a boat on the Bay, swim at the ocean beaches, picnic at coastal parks, photograph ducks during fall migration, or seek solace and solitude along the shore.

Sites chosen for this guide are either (1) owned by federal, state, or municipal government andmanaged for the public, (2) owned by private organizations who welcome the public, or (3) rights-of-waythat have been officially designated by the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and are

suitable for public use.There are, of course, many opportunities for wonderful experiences on our

coastal waters that are not in this guide. For instance, manypopular commercial operations are not included, and

every city street that ends at the shore is notincluded.

Introduction

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Public Access: A Tradition of Value

The value of safeguarding access to the shoreline has along history in Rhode Island, reflected in the names of favoritesites.1 Places that were special to the Indians, such asMisquamicut (red fish or salmon) and Matunuck (lookout), arenow state beaches. Neighborhood rights-of-way or street endsstill provide access to the Kickemuit River (source of water),Apponaug Cove (place of oysters), Sakonnet (place of blackgeese), and the Woonasquatucket River (as far as the tide goes).Pettaquamscutt Rock (round rock), site of one of the earlypurchases of land from the Narragansett sachems by Britishcolonists, still offers a lofty view of the Narrow River and themouth of Narragansett Bay. At the head of Narragansett Bay inPawtucket (at the falls) is the Slater Mill, where the power ofwater was first harnessed by Samuel Slater to drive textilemachinery, and where the American Industrial Revolution began.

For the colonists, access to the shore was also essential: forfishing—a source of food and income—for transportation beforethe highways were constructed (South Ferry, Fogland Point Ferry),for pasturing animals (Ram Point, Hog Island), and for gatheringseaweed to fertilize crops. Many rights-of-way originated as“driftways”—areas used seasonally for gathering seaweed thathad drifted onto shore and carting it away to spread overfarmlands. Stinky Beach, so called because of the abundance ofrotting seaweed that once collected there, is located just north ofScarborough Beach, one of the most popular state beaches today.

Access to the shore was crucial for the rise of maritimecommerce. Some of the lighthouses that were essential beaconsfor safe shipping now mark favorite access sites on Block Island,Watch Hill, Point Judith, and Beavertail. Ida Lewis Rock in New-port Harbor is named for the lighthouse keeper who became anational heroine for her decades of courageous service to theships and sailors of Newport. At Point Judith, the stone breakwa-ters, now often lined with fishermen, were originally constructedas a harbor of refuge for the thousands of sailing ships andsteamboats that passed the point each year.

The importance of coastal access for transportation is stillevident in the stone piers of Jamestown Harbor and of South FerryRoad in Narragansett that were former ferry landings. For over 200years before the bridges were built, these ferries and others werethe highway links across the Bay. The ferry from Bristol toPrudence Island has provided continuous service since the 1700s.

Shoreline access has also been critical for military defense.Forts and staging areas were constructed along our coast forevery major war in our history. These fortifications have beenturned to public use by the federal government and have becomesome of the most popular public parks: Fort Adams in Newport,Fort Wetherill and Fort Getty in Jamestown, and the gun emplace-ments at Fort Greene in Narragansett, now part of Fishermen’sMemorial Park.

Public and Private RightsThe shoreline can be defined as that part of the shore that is

regularly covered by the tide. It is considered by common law tobe public land, held in trust for the public by the state. Each statehas a different interpretation of what activities the public has aright to pursue in these areas. The Rhode Island Constitutionspecifically protects citizens’ rights to fish from the shore, togather seaweed, to leave the shore to swim in the sea, and to walkalong the shore. In Rhode Island, state waters of public domain

extend from mean high water three miles out to sea. Above meanhigh water, land and resources can be, and often are, privatelyowned.

Access along the shore has been a common expectation andlegal right for generations of Rhode Islanders. Trespassing acrossprivate property to reach the shore, however, is illegal. Since mostwaterfront property in Rhode Island is privately owned, thoseseeking to reach the shore without trespassing must rely on thevarious public lands and access ways that dot the coast.

Role of CRMCAs trustee of Rhode Island’s coastal resources and in

accordance with state and federal statutory mandates, CRMC has aresponsibility to ensure that public access to the shore is protected,maintained, and, where possible, enhanced for the benefit of all.

CRMC recognizes that well-designed and maintained publicaccess sites and improvements to existing public access sites canenhance the value of adjacent properties. In addition, properlydesigned, maintained, and marked public access facilities, in-cluding adequate parking areas, can reduce the pressures for useof or infringement upon adjacent properties.

Certain activities that require the private use of public trustresources to the exclusion of other public uses necessarily impactpublic access. In general, these activities include commercial,industrial, and residential developments and redevelopmentprojects, or activities that involve filling and/or building on or overtidal waters. This would also include the construction of structuralshoreline protection facilities.

Projects involving the alteration of coastal areas, includingthose that affect public rights-of-way to the coast, require permitsfrom CRMC. CRMC requires applicants to provide, where appropri-ate, access of a similar type and level to that which is beingimpacted as the result of a proposed activity or developmentproject. Once projects receive council approval with public accesscomponents, these projects are eligible for limited liability protec-tion under R.I.G.L. 32-6-5(c). Projects seeking council approvalshould also follow the general public access guidelines. For moreinformation, visit the CRMC website at www.crmc.state.ri.us.

Role of the R.I. Department of EnvironmentalManagement

The R.I. Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)oversees the management, including maintenance and acquisition,of state parks and beaches. RIDEM also oversees the managementof open space bond money for state or municipal acquisition and/ordevelopment of various coastal open space areas. RIDEM maintainsboat ramps for fishing access to salt and fresh waters statewide.

What You Can DoConcerned about public access to the shore? Your involve-

ment is important. If you believe that you know the location of apotential right-of-way or have any information that can assistCRMC at any point in the designation process, please contactCRMC at (401) 222-2476.

1 Wright, M.I. and R.J. Sullivan. 1982. The Rhode Island Atlas. Rhode IslandPublications Society, Providence, R.I. 240 pp.

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How to Use This GuideThis guide is designed to help you locate some of the different types of public access

to the Rhode Island shore. The sites vary from small dirt paths that lead to fishing spots onthe shore to local community parks, beaches, and state facilities managed for publicrecreation; from national wildlife refuges to privately held conservation lands that providean opportunity for nature study.

This guide is divided into six geographic regions starting with Block Island, continuingaround the state’s coast from the south shore beach area to the harbors of the West Bayand Jamestown, to the urban shoreline of the Providence and Seekonk rivers in the upperBay, to the East Bay, including the Sakonnet River and Mount Hope Bay, and ending atNewport. Insert maps of larger scale are provided for Newport, Bristol, Portsmouth, andBarrington.

Each region is color-coded and has a map with sequentially numbered sites and adescription of each coastal access site and its facilities. Because the sites are dividedgeographically, some towns listings are divided. See the table of contents to find all townlistings. Rights-of-way designated by CRMC are listed at the back of the guide. The moresuitable of these sites appear on the maps of this guide.

It is expected that changes will occur after this information is compiled, as a result ofchanges in maintenance and use. The authors and publisher are not responsible for thesechanges.

Public Park

Path to Shore

Boating

Beach withLifeguards

Wildlife Refuge

Scenic View

Hiking/Walking

Historic

Fishing

Ferry

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Key to Primary Uses

Block Island Boat Basin

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Safety TipsMany areas of Rhode Island’s shoreline can be hazardous. Twice a day, high tide floods the shoreline with over 3 feet of

water. Consult tide tables before exploring rocky beaches and tide pools. Check marine weather forecasts and stay on trailsand paths. Steep or eroding bluffs and cliffs, rocky shores slippery with sea spray, rain, or ice, dilapidated piers, and treacher-ous coastal waters are dangerous. During the winter, Rhode Island’s coastal waters can be so cold that they may causehypothermia in anyone exposed for more than a few minutes. Dangerous, swift currents can be hazardous to boaters orswimmers, particularly near breachways or inlets. A number of beaches and coastal areas do not have lifeguards. Thefollowing tips can help you stay safe while enjoying Rhode Island’s shoreline:

• Always accompany children into the water, even if it is shallow.• When exploring rocky shores, avoid slippery rocks that are partially covered by algae in the warmer months and by

ice during the winter season.• Beware of broken glass on the shore. Safely dispose of any sharp fragments.• Keep away from surf-casting fishermen. Do not attempt to pull out fishhooks from the skin, but seek medical attention

immediately.• Stay away from storm-water and sewage outfalls. Unsanitary and toxic wastes are health hazards.• Do not shellfish in waters posted as unsafe for shellfishing. RIDEM may change postings as they monitor during the

year.• Boaters: Watch your wake. Always have children and non-swimmers wear personal flotation devices. All vessels,

rowboats, and canoes must carry one approved life preserver for each person on board.• Be especially careful when operating boats in any area where swimmers or divers may be present. Divers are easily

recognized by the required red flag with a white diagonal slash that marks the approximate center of their activities.Leave a 50-foot radius around a dive flag to insure the safety of the divers below the surface.

• All vessels, if operated after sunset and before sunrise, are required to have lights.• Swim only near lifeguards. Watch out for rip currents, which are strong but narrow seaward flows. If you get caught

in one, don’t panic; swim parallel to the shore until you get out of the current, then return to the shore. If you can’tescape the current, call or wave for help.

Saltwater Sportfishing Laws and LicensingInformation is available from the RIDEM website at: www.state.ri.us/dem/. A pamphlet

on general recreational and commercial fishing laws is available from the RIDEM Division ofFish and Wildlife by calling (401) 423-1920. All marine licenses are issued by RIDEM’slicensing section, 235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908, or call (401) 222-6647.

ShellfishingDuring open season, no license is necessary for residents of Rhode Island. Any

resident may take, in any one day during open season (if applicable), not more than a half-bushel each of quahogs, soft-shelled clams, surf clams, oysters, and mussels, and not morethan one bushel of scallops, provided that none of these shellfish be offered for sale. Theholder of a nonresident shellfishing license may take, on any one day, not more than onepeck each of oysters, quahogs, soft-shelled clams, surf clams, or mussels. There is no takingof lobsters, blue crabs, or bay scallops by nonresidents. Licenses are required for lobstersand are only available to residents of Rhode Island. Additional restrictions apply in shellfishmanagement areas.

FinfishingNo license is necessary for saltwater fishing in Rhode Island.

Minimum Size, Catch Limit, Closed AreasThere are strictly enforceable minimum size and catch limits for fish, shellfish,

lobsters, and crabs. For further information on minimum sizes and catch limits call RIDEMDivision of Fish and Wildlife at (401) 423-1920. For current information on pollution andseasonal closures, call RIDEM Division of Water Resources at (401) 222-3961.

Charlestown Breachway

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Autumn is a great time for fishing from shorealong the South County coast. Schools of fish cruisethe shoreline, coming within reach of novices andexperts alike as they follow the smooth sandbeaches that serve as fish “highways” for the fallmigration. Here and there, natural structuresinterrupt the highways, rerouting the fish to createconcentrations of different species among the points,rock piles, sandbars, and sloughs. Because thesenatural structures harbor baitfish, the sportfish tarryto find food. Anglers can tell by the flocks of divingseagulls that baitfish are plentiful and gamefish areactively feeding. Point Judith, Deep Hole, Watch Hill,and Napatree Point are some of the most familiarareas that lure both fish and anglers for goodhunting.

Detours along the migration route also promiseproductive fishing. Breachways at Charlestown,Quonochontaug, and Weekapaug ponds distractmigrating fish with opportunities for resting andfeeding. The travelers’ respite rewards anglers withaccess to a generous variety of edible species, fromthe large striped bass to the smaller scup.

For some of the most popular recreationalspecies, good fishing means timing the outing tomatch fishes’ feeding schedules. Dawn and dusk areprime times to fish for striped bass, bluefish, andweakfish. Daylight hours assure better successcatching species such as tautog and scup.

Lures and bait are equally effective forattracting fish, and making the best choice is a partof the adventure. Swimming plugs, metal squids,poppers, and bucktail jigs are favored lures forgame fish during the fall migration. Options for baitinclude sea worms, clams, and squid strips, whichentice scup all along the South County coastline.Crabs, clams, or mussels work well for blackfish ortautog lingering around rocky areas. Squid, eels,and cut menhaden are morsels of choice for bothstripers and bluefish.

Rhode Island has some of the best surf fishingin the United States, and the South County coastlinehas easy access to great fishing locations. Week-end anglers can cast a leisurely line from abreachway jetty. Kids can discover the thrill of thattelltale tug from the safety of a sandy beach. Andhard-core rod-and-reelers can reap the best ofautumn’s bounty from their own undiscoveredfishing spots.

—By David Beutel and Tony Corey, Rhode IslandSea Grant

Fall Fishing in South County

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Public Access Locations“The public shall continue to enjoyand freely exercise all the rights offishery, and the privileges of theshore, to which they have beenheretofore entitled under thecharter and usages of this State.”

—Rhode Island Constitution,Article I, Section 17

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Napatree Point, WesterlyWeekapaug Breachway, WesterlyQuonochontaug Pond and Breachway, CharlestownNinigret National Wildlife Refuge, CharlestownCharlestown Breachway and Marsh, CharlestownGreen Hill Pond, South KingstownTrustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge and Moonstone

Beach, South KingstownMatunuck Management Area and Succotash Marsh,

South KingstownGalilee Bird Sanctuary, NarragansettPoint Judith and Camp Cronin, NarragansettPettaquamscutt Cove and Middle Bridge, NarragansettRome Point and Bissell Cove, North KingstownApponaug Cove, WarwickConimicut Point, WarwickIndia Point Park, ProvidenceSeekonk River, Providence/East ProvidenceEast Bay Bike Path: Watchemoket Cove to Boyden

Conservation Area, East ProvidenceTouisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, WarrenASRI Environmental Education Center, BristolColt State Park, BristolFogland Point, TivertonEmilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, TivertonSeapowet Marsh, Tiverton

Coastal Birding in Rhode Island

Rhode Island has a long and varied coastline thatprovides excellent birding opportunities throughout theyear. Each season offers its own species: songbirdsand shorebirds that migrate up the coast in spring,wading birds and terns that nest here in summer,hawks and swallows that funnel down the shore in fall,and waterfowl that spend winters here.

Return visits to each of the birding hot spots listedbelow are likely to result in different species in eachseason. The viewing spots, all accessible by car or bya relatively short walk, range from tidal marshes andbrackish ponds to rocky shorelines, barrier beaches,mud flats, and fresh water. The diverse habitats are thereason for the variety of birds.

The Audubon Society of Rhode Island (ASRI), incooperation with the Rhode Island Ornithological Club,publishes a Checklist of Rhode Island Birds that lists322 species that may be seen in the state at varyingtimes through the year, along with 90 other speciesthat have wandered here but are only rarely found. Thechecklist is available at ASRI’s nature shops (12 San-derson Road, Smithfield, and 1401 Hope St., Bristol).

Birding programs are offered by ASRI, the NormanBird Sanctuary, Save The Bay, the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService, and the Narragansett Bay National EstuarineResearch Reserve. These interpreted walks often usecoastal access points as destinations.

A good field guide and a pair of binoculars or aspotting scope are usually the only equipment needed,but also take along an updated visitors’ road map sincespace here does not permit detailed directions to thesuggested viewing areas. Among the best birdidentification guides for use in Rhode Island (alsoavailable at ASRI and other nature shops, as well as atmost commercial bookstores) are the following:

• Peterson’s Field Guide to the Birds East of the Rockies• The Sibley Guide to Birds• National Audubon Society Field Guide to Birds,

Eastern Region• Stokes Field Guide to Birds, Eastern Region• National Geographic Society Field Guide to the

Birds of North America

Nannaquaket Pond, TivertonSakonnet Point, Little ComptonSachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, MiddletownBrenton Point Park and Ocean Drive, NewportMarsh Meadows, Fox Hill Pond, and Sheffield

Cove, JamestownBeavertail State Park, JamestownBlock Island National Wildlife Refuge, New Shoreham

—Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Coastal Birding Hot Spots in Rhode Island:

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Standing boldly atop the Mohegan Bluffs of Block Island, the Southeast Lighthouse has testifiedto the power of ocean storms since its creation in 1874. The tower stands 67 feet high and sits on anoctagonal-shaped granite base. Both the keeper’s residence and light tower were constructed prima-rily of brick, with a cast iron lantern gallery perched at the tower’s pinnacle. The gallery houses aparapet lantern magnified by a large lens imported from France.

The lamp first burned oil, but was converted to kerosene in the 1880s. In 1907, the lamp wasreplaced with an oil lamp, which increased the light’s intensity to 45,690 candlepower. In 1929, arotating mechanism was installed to accomplish a flashing effect and the signal was changed from awhite light to a green light in order to help mariners differentiate between the signals of other nearbylighthouses. The green flash could be seen as far out to sea as 22 miles. In 1990, the U.S. Coast Guardordered the lamp to be replaced by a white electric aircraft beacon, which remains in the lighthousetoday.

Perhaps the most notable moment of the lighthouse’s history came in 1993, when the 2,000-tonstructure was hydraulically lifted from its original location and transported 360 feet inland via atemporary rail system to avoid almost certain destruction by erosion, which had brought the edge ofthe cliffs within 55 feet of the lighthouse. Today, the lighthouse rests at a location that scientists sayshould be safe for another century (see page 13).

Block Island

Southwest Point Southeast Lighthouse

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GreatSaltPond

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Clayhead Nature Trail

Block Island

Public Park

Path to Shore

Boating


Wildlife Refuge

Scenic View

Fishing§

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Key to Primary Uses

1. Block Island NationalWildlife Refuge

The refuge encompasses the north-ern tip of Block Island (Sandy Point)and includes the historic North Light-house. The shoreline of the refugeconsists of a cobble beach that ex-tends from the Settler’s Rock parkingarea to Sandy Point, and a sandy/cobble beach that extends severalmiles along the west side from SandyPoint to Great Salt Pond. The uplandsof vegetated dunes provide a rook-ery for seagulls, and Sachem Pond isa feeding area for a wide variety ofwaterfowl. This is an ideal area forwalking, bird watching, and enjoyingthe view in all directions. Four-wheel-drive vehicles with permits may driveout to Sandy Point, where fishing is apopular activity. This is an environ-mentally sensitive area—stay offvegetation and out of the dunes. Donot swim at Sandy Point, as it hasdangerous tidal currents. Parking isavailable.• Trash receptacles

2. Settlers’ Rock

At the end of Corn Neck Road, near acobble beach on Rhode Island Sound,a rock with a plaque marks the land-ing site of the European settlers onBlock Island in 1661. Across the roadis scenic Sachem Pond, with a small,sandy beach great for wildlife obser-vation. The parking area marks theaccess to Sandy Point, the BlockIsland National Wildlife Refuge, andthe northern end of the ClayheadNature Trail.• CRMC ROW#: E-1• Picnicking, trash receptacles

3. Clayhead Nature Trail

This scenic nature trail winds throughshrubs, fields, and wetlands to theClayhead Bluffs along Block Island’snortheast shore. The trail starts atCorn Neck Road and continues for aquarter mile along a dirt road to aparking area with bike racks. Fromhere the trail narrows and winds itsway to the coast. There is a smallbeach where the trail reaches theshoreline that is often very rocky due

to strong surf. The main trail thenwinds north along high coastal bluffsto Settler’s Rock. This trail and themaze of trails leading off from it pro-vide wonderful walking and birdwatching with views of farms, ponds,and the coast. No mopeds areallowed on the road, and no mopedsor bikes are allowed on the trail. Thisis an environmentally sensitive area.• Picnic tables/benches

4. Mansion Road

At the eastern end of MansionRoad—a sandy lane and right-of-way—is a beach below the bluffsthat overlook the Atlantic Ocean.Ample on-site parking is available. Itis an excellent site for picnics andswimming in the summer and forwildlife observation off-season. Thisright-of-way is circled by a one-wayaccess road.• Fishing, hiking/walking

5. Scotch Beach Road

This right-of-way is located at theScotch Road end, off Corn NeckRoad, with access to the northernend of Frederick Benson TownBeach.• CRMC ROW#: E-2• Swimming, hiking/walking

6. Frederick BensonTown Beach

A long, sandy beach off Corn NeckRoad on Rhode Island Sound, this isa popular location for walking, sun-bathing, and swimming, with a viewof the ocean and Old Harbor. Thebeach has a large parking area, bikeracks, and a pavilion. It is managedby the town of New Shoreham. Ac-cess may also be gained from CornNeck Road.• Picnic tables/benches, conces-sions, toilets, trash receptacles

7. Old Harbor Dock

Located east of the ferry dock onWater Street in Old Harbor, this towndock has guest slips available. Thedockmaster’s office is located hereand the dock is close to the centerof town, restaurants, shops, hotels,

and the ferry to Point Judith. Parkingis limited to 30 minutes in the ferrydock lot.• Picnic tables/benches, toilets,trash receptacles

8. Ballard’s Beach

Located off Water Street, at the east-ern end of Old Harbor, this sandybeach is owned by Ballard’s Inn andis open to the public. The beach haspicnic tables, lifeguards, and volley-ball nets, and there is a restaurantwith a deck overlooking the beach.There is a great view of Rhode IslandSound and Old Harbor from the beachand from the harbor breakwater.Parking is available.• Toilets, trash receptacles

9. Southeast Lighthouse

Completed in 1874, Southeast Light-house is a museum open to the pub-lic for a nominal fee during the sum-mer season. The lantern is 204 feetabove the water and can be seen 35miles out to sea. The property aroundthe lighthouse is open to the publicand offers a spectacular view of theocean and Mohegan Bluffs. There isno access to the beach at this site.Parking is available.• Wildlife observation, trash recep-tacles

10. Mohegan Bluffs

Off Southeast Light Road, MoheganBluffs drop 150 feet to the sandybeach and crashing surf below. Ashort trail from the parking area leadsto a vantage point at the edge of thebluffs. A long, wooden stairway leadsdown to the beach. This state-man-aged site is well known for its excel-lent view of the island’s dramaticsouthern coastline and of historicSoutheast Lighthouse.• Picnic tables/benches, swimming,fishing, hiking/walking, trashreceptacles

Ballard’s Beach

Mohegan Bluffs

Old Harbor Dock

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11. Scup Rock Property

This hard-to-spot right-of-way at thesandy extension of Pilot Hill Roadleads to a small parking lot. A 150-footpath can then be taken to a beautifulvista overlooking Mohegan Bluffs.• CRMC ROW#: E-3

12. Snake Hole Road

At the intersection of Mohegan Trailand Lakeside Drive, a gravel roadheads south to a grassy path leadingto the shore. The path is steep attimes so access should be reservedfor the sure-footed.

13. Rodman’s Hollow

In a natural ravine located south ofCooneymus Road, a network of trailswinds through the conservation areato the southern coast of the island.These trails provide a scenic locationfor walking and bird watching. Thisis an extremely sensitive area; stayon the trails. No parking is available.

14. Southwest Point/Cooneymus Road

Located on the southwest side of theisland, just north of Bluff Head, thisright-of-way consists of a sandy pathextending west from the intersectionof Cooneymus Road and West SideRoad to a cobble beach bordering theocean.• CRMC ROW#: E-4• Wildlife observation, fishing

15. Charlestown Beach

Located on the west side of the is-land on six acres of ASRI property,this right-of-way consists of a pathextending from Coast Guard Road toBlock Island Sound. This site is oneof the few places in Rhode Islandwhere one can see the sun set overthe water. No parking is available.• Swimming, wildlife observation,fishing

16. Coast Guard Station/Coast Guard Road

This town right-of-way is located atthe end of Champlin Way, just westof the New Shoreham Coast GuardStation. It is a small but popular swim-ming beach in the protected waters

of Great Salt Pond. Parking is avail-able at the road end.• CRMC ROW#: E-5• Fishing, historic interest, hiking/walking, wildlife observation

17. Champlin’s Marina

Located off West Side Road, this is afull-service marina on Great SaltPond with guest slips available. Thissite provides shopping, a playground,a video arcade, a movie theater, anda variety of rentals. Parking is avail-able.• Dock, picnic tables/benches, toilets,trash receptacles

18. Veterans Park

Located on West Side Road, this siteaffords a nice view of Great SaltPond. A playground and parking arealso available. Though there is nodirect access to the water, it is a greatplace to take a break from biking.

19. Block Island BoatBasin

A full-service marina on Great SaltPond with guest slips available, thissite has picnic tables, a barbecuearea overlooking the harbor, and asmall beach. Bike, car, and mopedrentals are available. This is the ter-minal for the Block Island-New Lon-don ferry. The harbormaster’s officeis also located here. Parking is avail-able. Fee.• Dock, concessions, toilets, trashreceptacles

20. Payne’s Dock

This is a full-service marina in NewHarbor on Great Salt Pond located atthe end of Ocean Avenue with guestslips available. For the non-boater,the docks offer a spectacular view ofthe pond. This is also the high-speedferry terminal. No parking is available.• Picnic tables/benches, conces-sions, toilets, trash receptacles

21. Indian Head NeckRoad

A gravel strip between Dead EyeDick’s and Smuggler’s Cove restau-rants leads from Ocean Avenue to aboat ramp on Great Salt Pond. Tradi-West Beach Road

Charlestown Beach

Mosquito Beach

Ocean Avenue Bridge

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tionally, this spot has been used as alaunching ramp and a public fishingarea.• Picnic tables/benches, trashreceptacles

22. Ocean Avenue Bridge

This bridge crosses over Trims Pond,a tidal pond that is connected toGreat Salt Pond in New Harbor. Thissite is most often used by the publicfor fishing, walking, shellfishing, andkayak launching.• Historic interest

23. Beach Avenue/Dunns Bridge

The bridge over the Harbor PondChannel, this site has traditionallyprovided public access for fishing,scenic enjoyment, and shellfishing.No parking is available.• Wildlife observation

24. Mosquito Beach

Located on the southeast shore of theGreat Salt Pond, this parcel is westof Corn Neck Road. The area encom-passes 80,000 square feet and ischaracterized by salt marsh andbeach. Shellfishing and landing smalldinghies are traditional uses of thissite. Parking is available for about 10cars at the boardwalk.• Wildlife observation

25. Andy’s Way

This right-of-way consists of a dirtand sand road extending west fromCorn Neck Road to a sandy beachbordering Great Salt Pond. Histori-cally, this area was the site of thecolonial fishing settlement on theisland.• CRMC ROW#: E-6• Fishing, wildlife observation, trashreceptacles

26. West Beach Road

This is a sandy road on the northwestside of the island, extending westfrom Corn Neck Road, past the land-fill, to a sandy cobble beach (WestBeach) bordering Block IslandSound.• CRMC ROW#: E-7• Wildlife observation, fishing

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A watchtower and beacon were first installed at Watch Hill in West-erly around 1745, giving the Watch Hill area its name. After the towerwas destroyed in a storm, Thomas Jefferson signed an act in 1806 to erecta full-scale lighthouse at Watch Hill. Completed in 1807, the 35-foot-tallWatch Hill lighthouse, constructed of wood, was the second built inRhode Island after Beavertail in Jamestown. To prevent destruction of thetower by erosion, it was replaced in 1856 with a square granite lighthouse further inland. A two-story keeper’shouse was built that same year along with a granite seawall that encircled the property.

The lighthouse alone could not prevent all mishaps from occurring along Westerly’s treacherous shores.In 1872, the steamer Metis, traveling to Providence, collided with a schooner. At first it was believed the damagewasn’t serious, but less than a mile from Watch Hill the Metis began to sink. Local residents saved 33 people, butabout 130 others aboard the Metis lost their lives. A U.S. Life Saving Service Station was established a few yearslater at Watch Hill.

During the Hurricane of 1938, lighthouse keeper Lawrence Congdon reported that waves broke over the topof the lighthouse, smashing the lantern glass, damaging the lamp and sending seawater into the tower. Congdonand his assistant keeper, Richard Frick, weathered the storm, but it took several weeks to repair the damages.

The light was automated in 1986 and the Fresnel lens replaced with a modern optical lens. The lighthouseand all buildings are leased to the Watch Hill Lightkeepers Association.

Westerly

The Wood and Pawcatuck river system, which may beaccessed from starting points in Exeter, South Kingstown, andseveral midpoints in between, offers 53 miles of accessible,canoeable river corridor. Touted as Rhode Island’s most pristineriver system, the Wood and Pawcatuck rivers annually hostthousands of residents and visitors who enjoy canoeing,kayaking, fishing, and hiking.

Even the novice can enjoy a paddle along the Wood River, andaccess is available at the Route 165 check station in Exeter, thePines access in Arcadia, at the Barberville Dam on Arcadia Roadin Hope Valley where the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Associa-tion (WPWA) campus is also located, the Hope Valley baseballfield, Switch Road in Hope Valley just south of the I-95 overpass,and Woodville Dam in Woodville. There are a few smaller, lesser-known put-ins as well. The major challenges faced on the WoodRiver include those caused by blow downs, or large trees thathave fallen across the river. The impact of blow downs varieswith the level of the water. High water in the spring could burythe tree trunks, or cause them to emerge slightly from thesurface. If the water is low enough, as it can be in the summer, itcan be possible to pass beneath the trees—or be completelyblocked from passage. The WPWA monitors river corridorpassage and removes blow downs on a fairly regular basis.

The Pawcatuck River, though also suitable for the novice ingeneral, does have areas where whitewater can present a bit ofa challenge in high-water conditions. The Pawcatuck emergesfrom the Great Swamp at Wordens Pond in South Kingstown.

Though a challenge, youcan put in on the eastside of Wordens Pondand canoe across to thePawcatuck. A stronghead wind makes this aworkout! Once crossed, however, you will encounter the mostpristine, and wild, section of the river—wonderful for explora-tion. The Pawcatuck, from its origination at Wordens Pond toits confluence with the Queen-Usquepaug River, is also knownto some as the Charles River. There are public access points tothe Pawcatuck in Charlestown, Richmond, and Westerly, inRhode Island, and in Pawcatuck, Conn., as well. In the villageof Carolina there is an access to the Pawcatuck River justbefore the Route 112 bridge. Those who enter there inspringtime enjoy the rapid ride to Richmond. In addition, thehistoric villages of Burdickville, Potter Hill, and White Rock canbe found along the Pawcatuck route.

The Wood and Pawcatuck rivers offer numerous opportuni-ties for outdoor enjoyment and scenic experiences forindividuals, families, or organized groups. Canoe rentals areavailable in the area, and some businesses offer transportationof boats for convenience. More information on canoeing andkayaking the Wood and Pawcatuck rivers can be located in theWood-Pawcatuck River Guide map, produced by the WPWAand available at retail stores throughout the region.

—By Lori Urso, Executive Director, Wood-Pawcatuck Water-shed Association

The Wood & Pawcatuck Rivers

Misquamicut State Beach

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Napatree Point

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WesterlyKey to Primary Uses

Public Park

Path to Shore

Boating


Wildlife Refuge

Scenic View

Fishing

5. Frank Hall Boat Yard

This boatyard and marina facility islocated on India Point Road and of-fers a dock. Parking is available. Fee.• Toilets, trash receptacles

6. Lotteryville Marina

Believed to be the oldest in the na-tion, this marina is located onAvondale Road on the PawcatuckRiver and is privately owned. A boatramp is available to nonmembers onlyon weekdays only due to a lack ofparking on the weekends. Parking islimited. Fee.• Dock, trash receptacles

7. Watch Hill Boatyard

Located on Pasadena Avenue, thissite offers public access to thePawcatuck River (Colonel WillieCove). Ramp, moorings, and transientslips are available for a fee. Openyear round, it is busy, and sometimesfull, on summer weekends. Parking isavailable for a fee.

8. Watch Hill Dock

Off Bay Street, on the edge of WatchHill Harbor, a small park with sixbenches offers a great opportunity tostroll or sit and observe the harboractivity. The municipal dock is alsoavailable for picking up or droppingoff boaters just over the seawall. Lim-ited parking is available.• Handicap access, historic interest,trash receptacles

9. Napatree PointConservation Area

At the southwestern tip of RhodeIsland, a long sandy spit separatesLittle Narragansett Bay from theocean. Napatree Point is owned,maintained, and managed primarilyby the Watch Hill Fire District. Itoffers a mile-long walk along thesandy spit either on the beach faceor on the nature trails. This area isone of the most important migratoryshorebird stopover points on the EastCoast and provides a foraging areafor wading birds and year-round habi-tat for a variety of species. There arespectacular hawk, songbird, andmonarch butterfly flights in autumn.

The area also offers excellent fishingfrom the rocky shore near the ruinedfort at the far end of the point.Napatree Point is accessible fromtwo paved parking lots on Bay Street.• Swimming, historic interest, trashreceptacles

10. Watch Hill Lighthouse

Two-tenths of a mile from the inter-section of Bluff Avenue and LarkinRoad, this 1856 granite lighthousesits at the end of a private road.Vehicle access is restricted to localresidents, senior citizens, and handi-capped persons by special arrange-ment. Although entrance to thelighthouse is prohibited, on a clearday, the driveway past the gate of-fers a picturesque view of NapatreePoint, the Watch Hill mansions, andBlock Island to the east. No parkingis available.• Picnicking, fishing, trash recep-tacles

11. Bluff Avenue

This right-of-way offers a 500-footpath that leads to a long stretch ofsandy beach. Just east of Watch HillLighthouse, beautiful views of themansions, rocky cliff faces, and BlockIsland can be seen. No parking isavailable.• CRMC ROW#: A-2 (on appeal)• Swimming

12. Manatuck Avenue

Located at the road end of ManatuckAvenue, this right-of-way provideseasy access to an extensive sandybeach. It is well marked, but no park-ing is available on site.• CRMC ROW#: A-3 (on appeal)• Swimming

1. Main Street BoatRamp

This site is located on the PawcatuckRiver between Union Street andSchool Street. This state-owned con-crete boat launch, in excellent con-dition, is located upriver from theMargin Street Launch. Ample park-ing is available for vehicles and trail-ers.• Handicap access, fishing

2. Viking Marina

Located off Margin Street on the tidalportion of the Pawcatuck River, theViking Marina is privately owned buthas one small boat ramp available forpublic use. The ramp is 10 to 12 feetwide and public parking is locatedone-half mile away. A restaurant andstore are located on the premises.Fee.• Dock, toilets, trash receptacles

3. Margin Street Launch

Located on the right as you pull intoWesterly Marina, the Margin StreetLaunch is a town boat ramp and re-stricted to use by town residents.Parking is available on site for 15 to20 cars with trailers.• Dock

4. River Bend Cemetery

With an entrance at the corner ofBeach (Route 1A) and Hubbardstreets, this beautiful old cemeteryalong the Pawcatuck River consistsof rolling lawns, trees, and interest-ing gravestones. Although not anideal site for access to the river, thisarea offers many great views andexcellent birding. Incorporated in1844, the cemetery’s ornate monu-ments and gravestones are examplesof the fine granite quarried in West-erly more than a century ago. Park oninterior roads only.• Hiking/walking

Napatree Point

Watch Hill Lighthouse

Viking Marina

Watch Hill Dock

River Bend Cemetery

Bluff Avenue

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13. Misquamicut StateBeach

Located on the south side of AtlanticAvenue, Misquamicut Beach isRhode Island’s largest state-ownedbeach with 3,600 feet of frontage onthe Atlantic Ocean. The parking lot isopen from Memorial Day to LaborDay. Public changing facilities, park-ing, bathrooms, and changing roomsfor the handicapped are available.The beach is part of 102 acres ofstate-owned land that also bordersWinnapaug Pond. Fee.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, concessions, hiking/walking, trash receptacles

14. New Westerly TownBeach

Located on both sides of Atlantic Av-enue, in close proximity to Mis-quamicut State Beach, this 3.12-acretown-owned property contains al-most 300 feet of beach frontage andis open to the general public. Chang-ing rooms are available. This stretchof beach is popular with surfers, whoare encouraged to visit during sum-mer evenings and off-season to mini-mize conflicts with other beachgoersand sunbathers. Parking is available.• Concessions, toilets, trash recep-tacles

15. Atlantic Avenue #7

This right-of-way is located adjacentto Pole 72 and is a 12-foot-wide sandypath extending from Atlantic Avenueto the beach. No parking is permittedon Atlantic Avenue. This marked pathis very accessible to the public.• CRMC ROW#: A-11• Swimming, hiking/walking


This right-of-way to the beach is lo-cated within Atlantic Beach Park onAtlantic Avenue, adjacent to Pole 91.It is a 12-foot-wide marked path ex-tending south from Atlantic Avenueover a paved parking area and a shortstretch of sand to the beach.• CRMC ROW#: A-13• Swimming, hiking/walking


This right-of-way is located betweenPoles 46 and 47 and is a 12-foot-widesandy path extending south from At-lantic Avenue to the beach. No park-ing is permitted on Atlantic Avenue.A sign denotes the path location.• CRMC ROW#: A-7• Swimming, hiking/walking

18. Westerly TownBeach

Located south of Atlantic Avenue, thistown-owned beach consists of ap-proximately 10 acres with 550 feet ofocean frontage. The beach pavilionhas showers, bathrooms, lifeguards,first aid, and a food concession stand.The beach is restricted to Westerlytaxpayers. Parking for the beach isavailable at two parking lots with atotal of 400 spaces. Handicappedbathrooms and parking are available.From the bathhouse, there is a niceview of Winnapaug Pond to the north.Fee.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, hiking/walking, trashreceptacles


This right-of-way near Pole 54 is a 12-foot-wide sandy path extending southfrom Atlantic Avenue to the beach.No parking is permitted on AtlanticAvenue. A sign denotes the path lo-cation.• CRMC ROW#: A-6• Swimming, hiking/walking

20. WeekapaugBreachway

Located at the corner of Atlantic andWawaloam avenues, this state-man-aged fishing area offers parking onboth sides of the breachway. Thereare concrete stairways built into therocks at three different locations oneach side of the breachway thatserve as ideal areas to sit and fish.

21. Weekapaug PointOverlook

Located on Spring Avenue, this sce-nic site overlooks a rocky, exposedportion of the coast. Limited excur-sions down onto the rocky beach arepossible, tide and weather permitting.Parking is limited.• Fishing, wildlife observation

22. QuonochontaugConservation Area

Quonochontaug Beach is one of thefew remaining undeveloped, privatelyowned barrier beaches in Rhode Is-land. The Quonochontaug BeachConservation Commission (QBCC), anumbrella organization of the NopesIsland Association, Weekapaug FireDistrict, Shelter Harbor Fire District,and Shady Harbor Fire District, man-ages the area. Swimming areas withlifeguards are restricted to propertyowners and require a pass. The QBCCallows the public to park at this siteduring specified times, primarily off-season, and to gain access to thebeach and pond via well-markedsand trails. A pamphlet of regulationsand guidelines for use of the site isavailable from the QBCC.

Atlantic Avenue #1

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Atlantic Avenue #7

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Weekapaug Breachway

Lotteryville Marina

Manatuck Avenue

Misquamicut State Beach

Watch Hill Dock

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Charlestown

South Kingstown

Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, Narragansett Indians inhabited the region now known asCharlestown. They lived off the land, hunting, fishing, and raising crops. When the first Europeansettlers arrived in the mid-17th century, plantations were quickly established to exploit the fertile coastallands. On August 22, 1738, a portion of Westerly was divided and named Charlestown after KingCharles II. Today’s town boundaries were finally established in 1748 when the town of Richmond wasdivided at the Pawcatuck River.

In the early 19th century, residents of Charlestown began harnessing the Pawcatuck River to powertextile mills. As the industry grew, so did the surrounding area. Other mills sprang up along the river,including saw, cotton, and wool mills. Over the years most of the mills have been converted intooffices, but Kenyon Mills continues to produce textiles and serves as a symbol of the town’s history.

Originally called King’s Towne and incorporated in 1674, the area included the present towns ofSouth Kingstown, North Kingstown, and Narragansett. The first settlement was in South Kingstown,and it was there, in the Great Swamp Fight of 1675, that colonial soldiers from Rhode Island, Massa-chusetts, and Connecticut gave King Philip his greatest defeat.

Farming was the main activity in early times. Prior to colonial settlement, however, theNarragansetts occupied the area, farming, hunting, and fishing. Although corn was their principalcrop, they also produced squash, beans, and strawberries. Venison, cod, and shellfish were theirprimary sources of protein.

Ronald Robinson settled and purchased the land along the western shore of Narragansett Bayfrom the Narragansett Indians in the late 17th century. Incorporated as a town in 1901, Narragansett’searliest industry was a shipbuilding operation located at Middle Bridge on the Narrow River. As shipsize outgrew the capacity of the Narrow River, the town turned to tourism as its primary source ofincome.

By the turn of the 20th century, Narragansett was an elegant summer resort. Many small summercottages, as well as upscale hotels, were erected to accommodate the increasing number of tourists tothe area. Soon, larger estates also dappled the shoreline. Many wealthy city families spent theirweekends in Narragansett by taking the day ferry from Providence.

Perhaps the most well-known landmark of its time was the Narragansett Casino. Located at thecorner of Ocean Road and Narragansett Beach, the casino was Narragansett’s central attraction until1900, when a devastating fire destroyed all but the main entrance towers. Today, the towers serve asthe Narragansett Visitors’ Center.

Narragansett

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Narragansett Bay is an estuary—a semi-enclosed inlet of the sea inwhich seawater is diluted by freshwater. Compared to other estuaries,Narragansett Bay is small- tomedium-sized. Chesapeake Bay, thelargest estuary in the United States,covers more than 30 times the areaof Narragansett Bay. Still, Nar-ragansett Bay is big enough to takea good-sized bite out of little RhodeIsland. It reaches two-thirds of theway up the state—with the resultthat no Rhode Islander is more thanhalf an hour’s drive from theshoreline—and covers about 10percent of the state’s area.

There are three entrances toNarragansett Bay: the WestPassage, the East Passage, and theso-called Sakonnet River, which isnot really a river but an arm of thesea. Only the East Passage, with anaverage depth of 44 feet, is deepenough for large ships.

The Bay’s three largest islandsare Aquidneck (the Indian namemeans “longest island”), Conanicut,and Prudence. Some 30 smallerislands, many of them little morethan large rocks, also dot the Bay.

Life in the BayOne-celled floating algae called

phytoplankton are the basis of theBay’s food chain—or, moreaccurately, food web. Like landplants, these microscopic plantsuse photosynthesis to convertcarbon dioxide into organic mater-ial that ultimately nourishes allother life in the Bay.

Narragansett Bay, like anyestuary, provides a variety ofdifferent habitats for living things.Certain plants and animals areconcentrated in particular areaswhere salinity and other conditionsare best suited to their needs. Forexample, the most productivequahog beds are in the less salty,more nutrient-rich waters of theupper Bay. On the other hand,lobster and blue mussel prefer themore oceanlike conditions of thelower Bay.

Geological History ofNarragansett Bay

25,000 years ago: With thePleistocene Ice Age in full forceand sea level 300 feet lower thantoday, Rhode Island lay buriedunder an ice sheet 400 feet thick.The glacier extended as far asBlock Island. Southward from there,some 70 miles of frozen tundra ledfinally to the Atlantic coast.

10,000 years ago: Earth waswarming. The glacier had recededfrom Rhode Island, and the oceanwas rising but had not yet reachedits present level. Prehistorichumans lived in the valleys thattoday are the passages ofNarragansett Bay. They could walkacross Rhode Island by simplycrossing the small streams that ranthrough these valleys.

9,000 years ago: As sea levelcontinued to rise, the AtlanticOcean entered the East Passage ofthe Bay.

5,000 years ago: NarragansettBay was filled almost to its presentlevel.

Narragansett Bay

FisheriesThe Bay’s commercially importantspecies include:• Demersal (bottom-dwelling) fish:winter flounder, summer flounder,tautog, black sea bass• Pelagic fish (fish that feed in thewater column): bluefish, stripedbass, scup, squeteague (weakfish),menhaden, Atlantic herring, andalewife (for use as lobster bait)• Shellfish: quahog, oyster• Lobster• Squid

The demersal fish, as well as thequahog and oyster, are Bayresidents that are able to live in theBay year round and during allstages of their life cycles. Most ofthe commercially important pelagicfish, as well as squid, migrate toNarragansett Bay in May or June.Each year, about 100 differentspecies may visit the Bay at onetime or another.

Physical Characteristicsof Narragansett Bay• Length: 25 miles• Width: 10 miles• Volume: 706 billion gallons atmid-tide• Shoreline: 256 miles, includingisland shorelines• Drainage basin (watershed):1,853 square miles

—Excerpted from “An Overview ofNarragansett Bay” by Eleanor Ely,published by Rhode Island SeaGrant

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Also known as Charlestown Pond, this 1,711-acre coastallagoon is totally located within the town of Charlestown. A smallchannel under Creek Bridge connects Ninigret with Green HillPond in South Kingstown. The pond is bounded on the south bybarrier beaches, to the west by the village of Quonochontaug, andon the east by Charlestown Beach. The ocean breachway in thesoutheastern end connects with Block Island Sound, and freshwater flows into the pond from numerous small brooks andsprings.

Fishing and shellfishing are very popular. Marine fisheries lawsand regulations are available at Burlingame State Park and at alllocal marinas and bait shops. No licenses are needed for RhodeIsland residents, but nonresidents must be licensed to harvestshellfish. Licenses are available at Ocean House Marina andWesterly Wal-Mart. Commercial shellfish licenses are availableonly to Rhode Island residents and nonresident property owners,and may be obtained at RIDEM headquarters in Providence; call(401) 222-3576. No license is required for rod-and-reel fishing, butmaximum daily limits and minimum sizes must be obeyed.

Shellfishing is prohibited in two areas. One lies east of a lineacross Tockwotten Cove to a point on the south shore adjacent toFlorence Street and is closed because of pollution. The second, ashellfish spawner sanctuary in the western end, is closed toprotect shellfish brood stock; this forms a triangle, bounded by aflag pole at the Ninigret Conservation Area to the south, and tothe north by an orange-and-white sign at the end of KennedyLane and a sign at Lavin’s Landing Marina.

The range of boating activity is dependent on the depth of thewater. Ninigret is generally shallow, with an average depth of lessthan 6 feet. The southern areas have been shoaled to an evenmore shallow depth by storm surges and windblown sand.

The central basin is generally free of navigational obstructions.Rocks are located along the north side of “The Narrows,” locatedbetween Hall and Grassy points, south of the National WildlifeRefuge. Open fairway runs north through Fort Neck, but thechannel leading to the ocean breachway is shallow andtreacherous. The harbormaster marks thechannel with stakes; however, the breachwayitself is dangerous and requires experienced sea-manship. Strict adherence to rules of the road andto the no-wake regulations are a must.

Public access is available at several points.Four launching facilities provide parking for a fee.The state ramp is at the end of CharlestownBeach Road; the other three are owned by localmarinas: Ocean House, Lavin’s Landing, andShelter Cove. The three marinas offer restrooms,and Ocean House provides complete marinaservices.

Windsurfers, kayakers, and canoists findNinigret a mecca for their enjoyment. Launchingmay take place from the Ninigret ConservationArea, all marinas, and at Creek Bridge,Charlestown Beach Road, where kayak rentalsare available.

Recreational activities oceanside and pondside are plentiful.Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is located off Route 1,bordering the northwestern side of the pond. There are twowell-marked nature trails and plenty of parking at this federallymaintained site. Walking access to the pond is provided at therefuge and at the conservation area.

Ninigret Park, a former naval air station, is north of thewildlife refuge and offers nature trails, basketball, volleyball,tennis, and baseball opportunities, BMX bike courses,freshwater swimming at Little Nini Pond, and the Frosty DrewNature Center, which offers nature programs.

Ocean swimming is available at Blue Shutters Town Beach,Ninigret Conservation Area (state-owned) at the west end, andCharlestown Town Beach at the eastern end of the pond.

East Beach barrier beach is undeveloped and owned byRIDEM and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Vehicles mayaccess the back dunes with a permit obtained at theBurlingame State Park facilities.

For further information:Charlestown Harbormaster: (401) 364-6810Burlingame State Park: (401) 322-8910RIDEM Law Enforcement: (800) 498-1336

—By Arthur Ganz,Salt Ponds Coalition andRIDEM Supervising Biologist

Ninigret Pond


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Charlestown, South Kingstown & NarragansettKey to Primary Uses

Public Park

Path to Shore

Boating


Wildlife Refuge

Scenic View

Fishing

Charlestown

1. QuonochontaugBreachway

A popular fishing spot for stripedbass, winter flounder, snapper, andbluefish, this state-owned 49-acreparcel runs parallel to the east sideof the Quonochontaug Breachway.Parking is available at the end ofWest Beach Road for cars and boattrailers. The boat ramp located at thissite provides access to Block IslandSound, but it is very dangerous dueto swift currents running through thebreachway. This site includes aRIDEM shellfish management area.A walk toward the wetland areafringing Quonochontaug Pondaffords a beautiful view of the entirepond and some excellent bird watch-ing.• Toilets

2. Blue Shutters TownBeach

Located near the end of East BeachRoad, this town-owned property of-fers many amenities such as show-ers, on-site pay parking, and conces-sions. This beautiful, wide, sandybeach is located just west of theNinigret Conservation Area.• Picnic tables/benches, toilets,trash receptacles

3. Lavin’s LandingMarina

Lavin’s Landing Marina, located onMeadow Lane, offers bait, tackle,and fuel for sale. Parking is available.Fee.• Dock

4. East Beach/NinigretState Facilities

At the east end of East Beach Road,a two-mile-long barrier beach sepa-rates Ninigret Pond from Block IslandSound. Ninigret Pond offers excellentwindsurfing, canoeing, and shell-fishing. This is also a RIDEM shell-fish management area. Winterflounder, clams, quahogs, blue crabs,eel, and bay scallops can be found

here in season. On the ocean side, abeautiful sandy beach is great forsunbathing or walking. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed behind thedunes only with a RIDEM permit.Bring your binoculars: Waterfowl,wildlife, and shorebirds can be found,especially during the fall and springmigrations. Parking is available. Fee.• Handicap access, swimming,toilets, trash receptacles

5. Charlestown Breach-way Beach and BoatRamp

This state-managed parcel consistsof approximately 2 acres. It is locatedoff the west end of CharlestownBeach Road and borders NinigretPond on the north and Block IslandSound on the south. The area con-sists of a wide sandy beach on theocean, a rock jetty, which is a popu-lar fishing site, a recreational vehiclecampground along the east arm ofthe breachway, and a wetland areabordering Ninigret Pond. This is agreat family spot due to its guardedbeach and close fishing opportuni-ties. A boat ramp is located at thenorth end of the breachway on thepond. Activities include fishing,swimming, beach-walking, andwindsurfing. Ninety parking spacesare available on site, and there is anentrance fee during the summer sea-son.• CRMC ROW#: B-1• Picnic tables/benches, toilets, trashreceptacles

6. Charlestown TownBeach

South of Charlestown Beach Road, asection of the beach is owned by thetown and is open to the public. Payparking is available for approximately300 cars about 500 feet across theroad from the beach.• Hiking/walking, trash receptacles

7. Shelter Cove Marina

Shelter Cove Marina is located onCharlestown Beach Road. Parking isavailable. Fee.• Dock, concessions

8. Perry CreekAccessway

This site consists of a small dirt roadextending north from the town beachparking lot (off Charlestown BeachRoad) to a sandy shoreline area bor-dering Perry Creek. The tidal creeklinks Ninigret Pond to Green HillPond. This site is suitable only forsmall craft and kayaks due to theshallowness of the creek. Across thecreek on the north side is a small areawith a concession stand, bait shop,ramp, small boat docks, and a goodview of Ninigret Pond. Parking isavailable.• Fishing, wildlife observation

9. Ninigret NationalWildlife Refuge

Located just off Route 1, borderingthe northwestern side of NinigretPond, this 400-acre federally main-tained site consists of grasslands,brush and shrub, uplands, freshwa-ter ponds, salt marsh, a barrierbeach, and a portion of the formerCharlestown Naval Auxiliary LandingField. There are two well-marked na-ture trails—a must for nature photog-raphers and bird watchers. There isplenty of parking available. Watch outfor poison ivy and ticks.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, fishing, toilets, trashreceptacles Charlestown Town Beach

Blue Shutters Town Beach

Perry Creek Accessway

Quonochontaug Breachway

Green Hill Beach

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10. Ninigret Park

A former naval air station, NinigretPark is just north of the Ninigret Na-tional Wildlife Refuge. The park offersa wide variety of amenities, includ-ing nature trails, full-court basketball,volleyball, tennis, baseball, BMX bikecourses, freshwater swimming, fit-ness trails, and a senior center. Whilethe park does not offer direct shoreaccess to Ninigret Pond, there isfreshwater swimming available atLittle Nini Pond. Plenty of parking isavailable. Wildlife is abundant here,as seen from the nature trails. TheFrosty Drew Nature Center offers aseries of nature programs.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, concessions, historicinterest, toilets, trash receptacles

11. Fort Ninigret

Located at the end of Fort NinigretRoad, which extends south from PostRoad, near Cross’ Mills, the site ofFort Ninigret occupies a bluff over-looking the northern end of NinigretPond. Once an Indian stronghold andtrading center, the park is maintainedas a memorial to the Narragansettand Niantic tribes. Although there isno access to the pond, this is a greatplace for picnicking, kite flying, orviewing the pond and barrier beach.Parking is limited.• Wildlife observation

12. Ocean House Marina

Located off Town Dock Road on FortNeck Cove, Ocean House Marina isprivately owned, but offers a publicboat launch for a nominal fee. Themarina is situated in a well-protectedcove of Ninigret Pond in a pictur-esque setting. In addition to a boatramp, Ocean House also has a baitshop, boat repair, and trailer parkingfor customers.• Handicap access, dock, picnictables/benches, fishing, toilets,trash receptacles

South Kingstown

13. Green Hill Beach

Located off Green Hill Beach Road,this site is a sandy, dune-backedbeach offering no parking. Most ofthe beach is lined with residences,condominiums, and other beachfrontdevelopment. A right-of-way locatedhere consists of a sandy path lead-ing to Green Hill Beach.• Swimming

14. Trustom PondNational WildlifeRefuge

This 640-acre national wildlife refugesurrounds Rhode Island’s only unde-veloped coastal salt pond. Access isfrom Matunuck Schoolhouse Road.From the parking area, three miles ofgently sloping foot trails weavethrough the refuge leading to pointsalong the north shoreline of TrustomPond. The site has three wildlife ob-servation towers and is a beautifulplace to visit each season of the year.Because it is a wildlife refuge, dogs,bicycling, horseback riding, and mo-torcycling are prohibited.• Picnic tables/benches, swimming,toilets, trash receptacles

15. Moonstone Beach

Part of the Trustom Pond NationalWildlife Refuge, this is one of RhodeIsland’s more isolated and beautifulbeaches. The beach is fenced off ata mean high-water mark to protectthe sand dune habitat and the endan-gered piping plovers that nest on thebeach. The end of Moonstone BeachRoad is a public right-of-way. Noparking is available.• Swimming, hiking/walking

16. Roy Carpenter’sBeach

Hidden by the dense bungalow com-munity south of Cards Pond Road, thisprivate beach is open to the public fora fee. A wooden pavilion, beach rent-als, a general store, a snack bar, andparking for a fee are available.• Picnic tables/benches, toilets, trashreceptacles

Ninigret Park

Roy Carpenter’s Beach

Ocean House Marina

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge

Moonstone Beach

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Surfing has been an integral part of Rhode Island’s richcoastal culture since the mid-1950s. Rhode Islandestablished itself on the surfing world’s map by providingsurfers with well-known breaks such as Matunuck,Ruggles, and Point Judith. Having over 30 surf spots withinits 40 miles of open-water coastline, Rhode Island servesas the Northeast’s premier surfing location, rivaled only byCape Cod. Rhode Island’s coastline consists of sandy andgravel beaches, as well as rocky points, creating a varietyof surf breaks.

A rocky point break, such as Narragansett’s Point Judith,provides surfers with a diverse array of wave types,ranging from long, lazy rollers to heavy, hollow barrels. Thegeography of the point allows these large swells toapproach the land at an angle, causing each wave togradually break to the right or left. Such conditions preventthe waves from crashing over all at once, a phenomenonknown as “closing out” in the surfing community. Thegradually breaking waves at Point Judith provide surferswith longer rides and help to establish the point as apreferred surfing location. These waves are not forbeginners, however. Point Judith’s rocky shoreline, heavyundertow, and dangerously powerful waves render it a surfspot suitable for only the most experienced surfers. Duringstorm swells, such as those produced by late summeroffshore hurricanes, wave heights at Point Judith canreach and exceed 15 feet.

For a safer, more relaxed surfing experience, RhodeIsland also offers several beach breaks, such asNarragansett Town Beach or Newport’s Easton’s Beach.Although providing less consistent surf, Rhode Island’s

Surfing in Rhode Island

sandy beach breaks are a great spot for less experiencedsurfers to have as much fun as the experts. Waves at asandy beach break tend to provide shorter rides thanthose at a point. Since the swells are nearly parallel tothe shoreline, each section of the wave reaches shallowwater simultaneously, causing the wave to close out.However, bottom contour irregularities and sandbarscause some sections of a wave to break earlier thanothers and make the wave “ridable” for at least a shorttime.

During the summer, crowded beach conditions requireauthorities to designate sections of some beaches as“swimming only.” Although this helps to make thebeaches safer for swimmers, it inhibits surfers fromspreading out, and ultimately makes it difficult to surf oncrowded days. To avoid the crowds, try surfing in themorning or the evening, or avoid the popular beachesaltogether.

—By Charlie Festa, former URI Coastal Fellow for RhodeIsland Sea Grant

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Charlestown

South Kingstown

Prior to the arrival of the Europeans, Narragansett Indians inhabited the region now known asCharlestown. They lived off the land, hunting, fishing, and raising crops. When the first Europeansettlers arrived in the mid-17th century, plantations were quickly established to exploit the fertile coastallands. On August 22, 1738, a portion of Westerly was divided and named Charlestown after KingCharles II. Today’s town boundaries were finally established in 1748 when the town of Richmond wasdivided at the Pawcatuck River.

In the early 19th century, residents of Charlestown began harnessing the Pawcatuck River to powertextile mills. As the industry grew, so did the surrounding area. Other mills sprang up along the river,including saw, cotton, and wool mills. Over the years most of the mills have been converted intooffices, but Kenyon Mills continues to produce textiles and serves as a symbol of the town’s history.

Originally called King’s Towne and incorporated in 1674, the area included the present towns ofSouth Kingstown, North Kingstown, and Narragansett. The first settlement was in South Kingstown,and it was there, in the Great Swamp Fight of 1675, that colonial soldiers from Rhode Island, Massa-chusetts, and Connecticut gave King Philip his greatest defeat.

Farming was the main activity in early times. Prior to colonial settlement, however, theNarragansetts occupied the area, farming, hunting, and fishing. Although corn was their principalcrop, they also produced squash, beans, and strawberries. Venison, cod, and shellfish were theirprimary sources of protein.

Ronald Robinson settled and purchased the land along the western shore of Narragansett Bayfrom the Narragansett Indians in the late 17th century. Incorporated as a town in 1901, Narragansett’searliest industry was a shipbuilding operation located at Middle Bridge on the Narrow River. As shipsize outgrew the capacity of the Narrow River, the town turned to tourism as its primary source ofincome.

By the turn of the 20th century, Narragansett was an elegant summer resort. Many small summercottages, as well as upscale hotels, were erected to accommodate the increasing number of tourists tothe area. Soon, larger estates also dappled the shoreline. Many wealthy city families spent theirweekends in Narragansett by taking the day ferry from Providence.

Perhaps the most well-known landmark of its time was the Narragansett Casino. Located at thecorner of Ocean Road and Narragansett Beach, the casino was Narragansett’s central attraction until1900, when a devastating fire destroyed all but the main entrance towers. Today, the towers serve asthe Narragansett Visitors’ Center.

Narragansett

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Narragansett Bay is an estuary—a semi-enclosed inlet of the sea inwhich seawater is diluted by freshwater. Compared to other estuaries,Narragansett Bay is small- tomedium-sized. Chesapeake Bay, thelargest estuary in the United States,covers more than 30 times the areaof Narragansett Bay. Still, Nar-ragansett Bay is big enough to takea good-sized bite out of little RhodeIsland. It reaches two-thirds of theway up the state—with the resultthat no Rhode Islander is more thanhalf an hour’s drive from theshoreline—and covers about 10percent of the state’s area.

There are three entrances toNarragansett Bay: the WestPassage, the East Passage, and theso-called Sakonnet River, which isnot really a river but an arm of thesea. Only the East Passage, with anaverage depth of 44 feet, is deepenough for large ships.

The Bay’s three largest islandsare Aquidneck (the Indian namemeans “longest island”), Conanicut,and Prudence. Some 30 smallerislands, many of them little morethan large rocks, also dot the Bay.

Life in the BayOne-celled floating algae called

phytoplankton are the basis of theBay’s food chain—or, moreaccurately, food web. Like landplants, these microscopic plantsuse photosynthesis to convertcarbon dioxide into organic mater-ial that ultimately nourishes allother life in the Bay.

Narragansett Bay, like anyestuary, provides a variety ofdifferent habitats for living things.Certain plants and animals areconcentrated in particular areaswhere salinity and other conditionsare best suited to their needs. Forexample, the most productivequahog beds are in the less salty,more nutrient-rich waters of theupper Bay. On the other hand,lobster and blue mussel prefer themore oceanlike conditions of thelower Bay.

Geological History ofNarragansett Bay

25,000 years ago: With thePleistocene Ice Age in full forceand sea level 300 feet lower thantoday, Rhode Island lay buriedunder an ice sheet 400 feet thick.The glacier extended as far asBlock Island. Southward from there,some 70 miles of frozen tundra ledfinally to the Atlantic coast.

10,000 years ago: Earth waswarming. The glacier had recededfrom Rhode Island, and the oceanwas rising but had not yet reachedits present level. Prehistorichumans lived in the valleys thattoday are the passages ofNarragansett Bay. They could walkacross Rhode Island by simplycrossing the small streams that ranthrough these valleys.

9,000 years ago: As sea levelcontinued to rise, the AtlanticOcean entered the East Passage ofthe Bay.

5,000 years ago: NarragansettBay was filled almost to its presentlevel.

Narragansett Bay

FisheriesThe Bay’s commercially importantspecies include:• Demersal (bottom-dwelling) fish:winter flounder, summer flounder,tautog, black sea bass• Pelagic fish (fish that feed in thewater column): bluefish, stripedbass, scup, squeteague (weakfish),menhaden, Atlantic herring, andalewife (for use as lobster bait)• Shellfish: quahog, oyster• Lobster• Squid

The demersal fish, as well as thequahog and oyster, are Bayresidents that are able to live in theBay year round and during allstages of their life cycles. Most ofthe commercially important pelagicfish, as well as squid, migrate toNarragansett Bay in May or June.Each year, about 100 differentspecies may visit the Bay at onetime or another.

Physical Characteristicsof Narragansett Bay• Length: 25 miles• Width: 10 miles• Volume: 706 billion gallons atmid-tide• Shoreline: 256 miles, includingisland shorelines• Drainage basin (watershed):1,853 square miles

—Excerpted from “An Overview ofNarragansett Bay” by Eleanor Ely,published by Rhode Island SeaGrant

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Also known as Charlestown Pond, this 1,711-acre coastallagoon is totally located within the town of Charlestown. A smallchannel under Creek Bridge connects Ninigret with Green HillPond in South Kingstown. The pond is bounded on the south bybarrier beaches, to the west by the village of Quonochontaug, andon the east by Charlestown Beach. The ocean breachway in thesoutheastern end connects with Block Island Sound, and freshwater flows into the pond from numerous small brooks andsprings.

Fishing and shellfishing are very popular. Marine fisheries lawsand regulations are available at Burlingame State Park and at alllocal marinas and bait shops. No licenses are needed for RhodeIsland residents, but nonresidents must be licensed to harvestshellfish. Licenses are available at Ocean House Marina andWesterly Wal-Mart. Commercial shellfish licenses are availableonly to Rhode Island residents and nonresident property owners,and may be obtained at RIDEM headquarters in Providence; call(401) 222-3576. No license is required for rod-and-reel fishing, butmaximum daily limits and minimum sizes must be obeyed.

Shellfishing is prohibited in two areas. One lies east of a lineacross Tockwotten Cove to a point on the south shore adjacent toFlorence Street and is closed because of pollution. The second, ashellfish spawner sanctuary in the western end, is closed toprotect shellfish brood stock; this forms a triangle, bounded by aflag pole at the Ninigret Conservation Area to the south, and tothe north by an orange-and-white sign at the end of KennedyLane and a sign at Lavin’s Landing Marina.

The range of boating activity is dependent on the depth of thewater. Ninigret is generally shallow, with an average depth of lessthan 6 feet. The southern areas have been shoaled to an evenmore shallow depth by storm surges and windblown sand.

The central basin is generally free of navigational obstructions.Rocks are located along the north side of “The Narrows,” locatedbetween Hall and Grassy points, south of the National WildlifeRefuge. Open fairway runs north through Fort Neck, but thechannel leading to the ocean breachway is shallow andtreacherous. The harbormaster marks thechannel with stakes; however, the breachwayitself is dangerous and requires experienced sea-manship. Strict adherence to rules of the road andto the no-wake regulations are a must.

Public access is available at several points.Four launching facilities provide parking for a fee.The state ramp is at the end of CharlestownBeach Road; the other three are owned by localmarinas: Ocean House, Lavin’s Landing, andShelter Cove. The three marinas offer restrooms,and Ocean House provides complete marinaservices.

Windsurfers, kayakers, and canoists findNinigret a mecca for their enjoyment. Launchingmay take place from the Ninigret ConservationArea, all marinas, and at Creek Bridge,Charlestown Beach Road, where kayak rentalsare available.

Recreational activities oceanside and pondside are plentiful.Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is located off Route 1,bordering the northwestern side of the pond. There are twowell-marked nature trails and plenty of parking at this federallymaintained site. Walking access to the pond is provided at therefuge and at the conservation area.

Ninigret Park, a former naval air station, is north of thewildlife refuge and offers nature trails, basketball, volleyball,tennis, and baseball opportunities, BMX bike courses,freshwater swimming at Little Nini Pond, and the Frosty DrewNature Center, which offers nature programs.

Ocean swimming is available at Blue Shutters Town Beach,Ninigret Conservation Area (state-owned) at the west end, andCharlestown Town Beach at the eastern end of the pond.

East Beach barrier beach is undeveloped and owned byRIDEM and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Vehicles mayaccess the back dunes with a permit obtained at theBurlingame State Park facilities.

For further information:Charlestown Harbormaster: (401) 364-6810Burlingame State Park: (401) 322-8910RIDEM Law Enforcement: (800) 498-1336

—By Arthur Ganz,Salt Ponds Coalition andRIDEM Supervising Biologist

Ninigret Pond


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Rte 112

Rte 2

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CardsPond

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MoonstoneBeach Rd.

Matunuck

Schoolhouse Rd.

QuonochontaugPond

Ninigret Pond

Green Hill Rd.

TrustomPondGreen Hill

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South Kingstown continues on page 26.

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CHARLESTOWN &SOUTH KINGSTOWN

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Charlestown, South Kingstown & NarragansettKey to Primary Uses

Public Park

Path to Shore

Boating


Wildlife Refuge

Scenic View

Fishing

Charlestown

1. QuonochontaugBreachway

A popular fishing spot for stripedbass, winter flounder, snapper, andbluefish, this state-owned 49-acreparcel runs parallel to the east sideof the Quonochontaug Breachway.Parking is available at the end ofWest Beach Road for cars and boattrailers. The boat ramp located at thissite provides access to Block IslandSound, but it is very dangerous dueto swift currents running through thebreachway. This site includes aRIDEM shellfish management area.A walk toward the wetland areafringing Quonochontaug Pondaffords a beautiful view of the entirepond and some excellent bird watch-ing.• Toilets

2. Blue Shutters TownBeach

Located near the end of East BeachRoad, this town-owned property of-fers many amenities such as show-ers, on-site pay parking, and conces-sions. This beautiful, wide, sandybeach is located just west of theNinigret Conservation Area.• Picnic tables/benches, toilets,trash receptacles

3. Lavin’s LandingMarina

Lavin’s Landing Marina, located onMeadow Lane, offers bait, tackle,and fuel for sale. Parking is available.Fee.• Dock

4. East Beach/NinigretState Facilities

At the east end of East Beach Road,a two-mile-long barrier beach sepa-rates Ninigret Pond from Block IslandSound. Ninigret Pond offers excellentwindsurfing, canoeing, and shell-fishing. This is also a RIDEM shell-fish management area. Winterflounder, clams, quahogs, blue crabs,eel, and bay scallops can be found

here in season. On the ocean side, abeautiful sandy beach is great forsunbathing or walking. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are allowed behind thedunes only with a RIDEM permit.Bring your binoculars: Waterfowl,wildlife, and shorebirds can be found,especially during the fall and springmigrations. Parking is available. Fee.• Handicap access, swimming,toilets, trash receptacles

5. Charlestown Breach-way Beach and BoatRamp

This state-managed parcel consistsof approximately 2 acres. It is locatedoff the west end of CharlestownBeach Road and borders NinigretPond on the north and Block IslandSound on the south. The area con-sists of a wide sandy beach on theocean, a rock jetty, which is a popu-lar fishing site, a recreational vehiclecampground along the east arm ofthe breachway, and a wetland areabordering Ninigret Pond. This is agreat family spot due to its guardedbeach and close fishing opportuni-ties. A boat ramp is located at thenorth end of the breachway on thepond. Activities include fishing,swimming, beach-walking, andwindsurfing. Ninety parking spacesare available on site, and there is anentrance fee during the summer sea-son.• CRMC ROW#: B-1• Picnic tables/benches, toilets, trashreceptacles

6. Charlestown TownBeach

South of Charlestown Beach Road, asection of the beach is owned by thetown and is open to the public. Payparking is available for approximately300 cars about 500 feet across theroad from the beach.• Hiking/walking, trash receptacles

7. Shelter Cove Marina

Shelter Cove Marina is located onCharlestown Beach Road. Parking isavailable. Fee.• Dock, concessions

8. Perry CreekAccessway

This site consists of a small dirt roadextending north from the town beachparking lot (off Charlestown BeachRoad) to a sandy shoreline area bor-dering Perry Creek. The tidal creeklinks Ninigret Pond to Green HillPond. This site is suitable only forsmall craft and kayaks due to theshallowness of the creek. Across thecreek on the north side is a small areawith a concession stand, bait shop,ramp, small boat docks, and a goodview of Ninigret Pond. Parking isavailable.• Fishing, wildlife observation

9. Ninigret NationalWildlife Refuge

Located just off Route 1, borderingthe northwestern side of NinigretPond, this 400-acre federally main-tained site consists of grasslands,brush and shrub, uplands, freshwa-ter ponds, salt marsh, a barrierbeach, and a portion of the formerCharlestown Naval Auxiliary LandingField. There are two well-marked na-ture trails—a must for nature photog-raphers and bird watchers. There isplenty of parking available. Watch outfor poison ivy and ticks.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, fishing, toilets, trashreceptacles Charlestown Town Beach

Blue Shutters Town Beach

Perry Creek Accessway

Quonochontaug Breachway

Green Hill Beach

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10. Ninigret Park

A former naval air station, NinigretPark is just north of the Ninigret Na-tional Wildlife Refuge. The park offersa wide variety of amenities, includ-ing nature trails, full-court basketball,volleyball, tennis, baseball, BMX bikecourses, freshwater swimming, fit-ness trails, and a senior center. Whilethe park does not offer direct shoreaccess to Ninigret Pond, there isfreshwater swimming available atLittle Nini Pond. Plenty of parking isavailable. Wildlife is abundant here,as seen from the nature trails. TheFrosty Drew Nature Center offers aseries of nature programs.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, concessions, historicinterest, toilets, trash receptacles

11. Fort Ninigret

Located at the end of Fort NinigretRoad, which extends south from PostRoad, near Cross’ Mills, the site ofFort Ninigret occupies a bluff over-looking the northern end of NinigretPond. Once an Indian stronghold andtrading center, the park is maintainedas a memorial to the Narragansettand Niantic tribes. Although there isno access to the pond, this is a greatplace for picnicking, kite flying, orviewing the pond and barrier beach.Parking is limited.• Wildlife observation

12. Ocean House Marina

Located off Town Dock Road on FortNeck Cove, Ocean House Marina isprivately owned, but offers a publicboat launch for a nominal fee. Themarina is situated in a well-protectedcove of Ninigret Pond in a pictur-esque setting. In addition to a boatramp, Ocean House also has a baitshop, boat repair, and trailer parkingfor customers.• Handicap access, dock, picnictables/benches, fishing, toilets,trash receptacles

South Kingstown

13. Green Hill Beach

Located off Green Hill Beach Road,this site is a sandy, dune-backedbeach offering no parking. Most ofthe beach is lined with residences,condominiums, and other beachfrontdevelopment. A right-of-way locatedhere consists of a sandy path lead-ing to Green Hill Beach.• Swimming

14. Trustom PondNational WildlifeRefuge

This 640-acre national wildlife refugesurrounds Rhode Island’s only unde-veloped coastal salt pond. Access isfrom Matunuck Schoolhouse Road.From the parking area, three miles ofgently sloping foot trails weavethrough the refuge leading to pointsalong the north shoreline of TrustomPond. The site has three wildlife ob-servation towers and is a beautifulplace to visit each season of the year.Because it is a wildlife refuge, dogs,bicycling, horseback riding, and mo-torcycling are prohibited.• Picnic tables/benches, swimming,toilets, trash receptacles

15. Moonstone Beach

Part of the Trustom Pond NationalWildlife Refuge, this is one of RhodeIsland’s more isolated and beautifulbeaches. The beach is fenced off ata mean high-water mark to protectthe sand dune habitat and the endan-gered piping plovers that nest on thebeach. The end of Moonstone BeachRoad is a public right-of-way. Noparking is available.• Swimming, hiking/walking

16. Roy Carpenter’sBeach

Hidden by the dense bungalow com-munity south of Cards Pond Road, thisprivate beach is open to the public fora fee. A wooden pavilion, beach rent-als, a general store, a snack bar, andparking for a fee are available.• Picnic tables/benches, toilets, trashreceptacles

Ninigret Park

Roy Carpenter’s Beach

Ocean House Marina

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge

Moonstone Beach

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Surfing has been an integral part of Rhode Island’s richcoastal culture since the mid-1950s. Rhode Islandestablished itself on the surfing world’s map by providingsurfers with well-known breaks such as Matunuck,Ruggles, and Point Judith. Having over 30 surf spots withinits 40 miles of open-water coastline, Rhode Island servesas the Northeast’s premier surfing location, rivaled only byCape Cod. Rhode Island’s coastline consists of sandy andgravel beaches, as well as rocky points, creating a varietyof surf breaks.

A rocky point break, such as Narragansett’s Point Judith,provides surfers with a diverse array of wave types,ranging from long, lazy rollers to heavy, hollow barrels. Thegeography of the point allows these large swells toapproach the land at an angle, causing each wave togradually break to the right or left. Such conditions preventthe waves from crashing over all at once, a phenomenonknown as “closing out” in the surfing community. Thegradually breaking waves at Point Judith provide surferswith longer rides and help to establish the point as apreferred surfing location. These waves are not forbeginners, however. Point Judith’s rocky shoreline, heavyundertow, and dangerously powerful waves render it a surfspot suitable for only the most experienced surfers. Duringstorm swells, such as those produced by late summeroffshore hurricanes, wave heights at Point Judith canreach and exceed 15 feet.

For a safer, more relaxed surfing experience, RhodeIsland also offers several beach breaks, such asNarragansett Town Beach or Newport’s Easton’s Beach.Although providing less consistent surf, Rhode Island’s

Surfing in Rhode Island

sandy beach breaks are a great spot for less experiencedsurfers to have as much fun as the experts. Waves at asandy beach break tend to provide shorter rides thanthose at a point. Since the swells are nearly parallel tothe shoreline, each section of the wave reaches shallowwater simultaneously, causing the wave to close out.However, bottom contour irregularities and sandbarscause some sections of a wave to break earlier thanothers and make the wave “ridable” for at least a shorttime.

During the summer, crowded beach conditions requireauthorities to designate sections of some beaches as“swimming only.” Although this helps to make thebeaches safer for swimmers, it inhibits surfers fromspreading out, and ultimately makes it difficult to surf oncrowded days. To avoid the crowds, try surfing in themorning or the evening, or avoid the popular beachesaltogether.

—By Charlie Festa, former URI Coastal Fellow for RhodeIsland Sea Grant

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East Matunuck State Beach

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17. South KingstownTown Beach

Where Matunuck Beach Roadreaches the shore, there is a townbeach facility with picnic areas,boardwalks, a playground, a volley-ball court, and dirt paths leading tothe beach. Several stores withinwalking distance carry food,sundries, and beach supplies. Theparking facility accommodates ap-proximately 80 vehicles. The beachcharges a fee in the summer season,but is open to both town residentsand nonresidents.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, fishing, wildlife observa-tion, toilets, trash receptacles

18. Deep Hole FishingArea

Located near the end of MatunuckBeach Road, this small pocket ofsandy beach is set aside for RhodeIsland fishermen. However, compat-ible uses such as surfing are allowed.Parking is available for approximately30 cars.

19. Ocean Avenue

At the narrow end of Ocean Avenue,a stair pathway leads down to thewest end of East Matunuck StateBeach. Though this is great beachaccess, no parking is available.• CRMC ROW#: D-4• Swimming, fishing, hiking/walking

20. MatunuckManagement Area

Off Succotash Road, north of EastMatunuck Beach, this area encom-passes over 145 acres of salt marshand wetlands on Potter Pond, PointJudith Pond, and Block Island Sound.Popular activities in this area includecanoeing, bird watching, and fishing.It is an ideal setting to observe manymigratory bird and waterfowl speciesin the fall and spring. On occasion,nature walks are offered through thearea. Parking is available at the westend of the state beach lot for a fee.• Historic interest

21. East Matunuck StateBeach

Located south of Succotash Road,this state beach is popular during thesummer season for swimming andoff-season for walking. From thepavilion, there is a beautiful view overthe dunes of the Succotash SaltMarsh, a state-managed wetlandsconservation area. On a clear day,Block Island is visible on the horizon.Public parking is available all yearwith a fee in the summer.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, concessions, toilets, trashreceptacles

22. Kenport Marina

Located on Succotash Road, this pri-vately run marina has a boat rampavailable to the public for a nominalfee. Parking for non-customers isavailable on a first-come first-servedbasis. A bait shop and ship store arealso available. A restaurant and a fishmarket are situated nearby.• Dock, fishing, toilets, trashreceptacles

23. Gooseberry RoadTown Ramp

A town right-of-way at the end ofGooseberry Road, next to ChannelMarina, this public access has anasphalt boat ramp in good condition.This site is not frequently used be-cause there is no public parkingavailable.• Trash receptacles

24. Pond Street Ramp

At the end of Pond Street, this markedright-of-way on Billington Cove, PointJudith Pond, is one of the town’s fourpublic boat ramps. The site and theramp are in good condition. The rampis next to private marina facilities. Noparking is available.• Dock, fishing

Key to Primary Uses

Public Park

Path to Shore

Boating


Wildlife Refuge

Scenic View

Fishing

Ferry

25. Marina Park

This municipal park, just south ofRoute 1, is located at the head of PointJudith Pond on Salt Pond Road,across the street from several mari-nas, a town boat ramp, and a restau-rant. A large grassy area, formerlyknown as Heritage Field, is the sitefor a number of annual events suchas carnivals and boat shows. Also inMarina Park is the URI Sailing Club.Beginning and intermediate sailingclasses are offered during the sum-mer. The public can join the URI Sail-ing Club for a nominal fee. There arebenches available and 30 parkingspaces.• Dock, trash receptacles

South Kingstown Town Beach

Deep Hole Fishing Area

Ocean Avenue

Marina Park

Kenport MarinaMatunuck Management Area

Gooseberry Road Town Ramp

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26. Long Cove Marina

Located west of Route 108, approxi-mately one mile south of Route 1, thisprivately owned campground con-sists of 200 to 300 campsites for tents,campers, and recreational vehicles.There is public access to the boatramp that leads to Point JudithPond. Parking is available. Fee.• Picnic tables/benches, toilets, trashreceptacles

27. KnowleswayExtension

At the end of Knowlesway Extension,west of Route 108, a paved right-of-way provides access to Point JudithPond. This site consists of a smallgrassy park and a stairway to thepond.• CRMC ROW#: C-1• Picnicking, swimming, wildlifeobservation, hiking/walking, trashreceptacles

hNarragansett

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28. Fisherman’sMemorial State Park

West of Route 108, Fisherman’s Me-morial State Park is a campgroundthat has 182 campsites, three gamefields, and two tennis courts. Duringthe summer there is an entrance feeto the campgrounds, and advancereservations are recommended.There is a spectacular view of PointJudith Pond, Narragansett Bay, andBlock Island Sound from the overlookplatform located at the site of the oldbunker, part of U.S. Army Fort Greene.During the summer, RIDEM holdsevening nature education programsfor the public. On the grounds’ north-west corner, a pathway leads to astate shellfish management area.Parking is available.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, historic interest, fishing,toilets, trash receptacles

29. Galilee BirdSanctuary

Located south of the Galilee EscapeRoad and across the street fromRoger Wheeler State Beach is a 172-acre tidal wetland. This environmen-tally sensitive wetland habitat is idealfor bird watching. However, the areahas no access except along its outeredge. No parking is available.• Fishing

30. Bluff Hill Cove Access

North of the Galilee Escape Road isan area of wetlands and tidal flatsthat is a state shellfish managementarea. It is one of the state’s mostpopular recreational shellfishingsites. Parking is available along theGalilee Escape Road.• Wildlife observation

31. Galilee at GreatIsland Bridge

Located off the Galilee Escape Roadat the southeast end of the GreatIsland Bridge, this state-owned fish-ing access site has a boat ramp withparking for cars and trailers.• Dock, toilets

32. State Pier #3

In the heart of Galilee, next to theBlock Island Ferry terminal, this statepier bustles with activity supportingthe commercial fishing fleet andcharter deep-sea fishing boats.Southland Ferry Cruises offers boattours around Point Judith Pond dur-ing the summer. This site is extremelybusy; limited parking is available onnearby streets. Ample pay parking isavailable throughout Galilee.• Concessions, toilets, trash recep-tacles

33. Block Island FerryTerminal

The main ferry terminal for publictransport to Block Island is locatedin Galilee. When the ferry is not at thedock, this site provides an interest-ing view of harbor activities. There isample parking for a fee in nearby lots.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, concessions, toilets, trashreceptacles

34. State Pier #4

Across the breachway from the ferryterminal in Jerusalem, at the end ofSuccotash Road, a state-ownedproperty and pier provide access tothe main channel of Point JudithPond. This is a popular spot for rec-reational finfishing that can bereached by following SuccotashRoad to its end in Jerusalem. Jerusa-lem is part of Narragansett and wasonce connected to Galilee in the1800s before the U.S. Army Corpsconstructed the permanent breach-way in its present location. Parkingis available.

35. Salty Brine StateBeach

This small state beach is within theconfines of the protected Point JudithHarbor of Refuge. The adjacentbreachway, which is stabilized byrock jetties, connects Point JudithPond to the sea. The rock jettiesprovide access for fishing or for thesure-footed who want to watch theactivities in the harbor. Divers alsofrequent the area to dive for lobstersand observe the underwater world

Galilee Bird Sanctuary

Bluff Hill Cove Access

Knowlesway Extension

Fisherman’s Memorial State Park

Roger Wheeler State Beach

Salty Brine State Beach

Galilee at Great Island Bridge

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along the rocky shore. From here, onecan walk to Sand Hill Cove Beach, amile to the east. Although on-siteparking is available, the small park-ing lot fills quickly on nice days.• Concessions, toilets, trash recep-tacles

36. Roger Wheeler StateBeach

Popularly known as Sand Hill CoveBeach, this state-owned beach is lo-cated at the east end of Sand HillCove Road. A great place for the fam-ily, the beach offers ample parking (atleast 1,500 spaces), lifeguards,changing facilities, toilets, picnic ar-eas, concessions, and playgroundequipment. This site is a safe placefor swimming because of the long,wide, sandy beach and breakwater-protected, calm waters. Fee.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, hiking/walking, trashreceptacles

37. Point Judith State Park

Formerly Camp Cronin, a militarycamp, this site has a long rockyshoreline fronting the Atlantic Oceannear the Point Judith Lighthouse andis a good spot for surf fishing. BlockIsland is visible in the distance. Thissite also provides access to the eastarm of the Harbor of Refuge break-water, a popular fishing area. On-siteparking is available.• Swimming, hiking/walking, wildlifeobservation, toilets

38. Point JudithLighthouse

At the southern end of Ocean Roadstands the Point Judith Lighthouse,an octagonal brick building erectedin 1816. The lighthouse, which is stillin use, is not open to the public. Thegrassy slope around the lighthousehas a fine view of the ocean where,two miles off the coast, the last Ger-man U-boat was sunk during WorldWar II. Beware of the loud foghornsounding out to the passing ships onfoggy days. On a good day you willfind many of Rhode Island’s best surf-ers in the water. Parking is availablenearby.• Hiking/walking

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39. Rose NulmanMemorial Park

Adjacent to the Point Judith Light-house, this park provides scenicocean views and has ample parking.• Picnic tables/benches

40. Pilgrim AvenueExtension

Just north of Point Judith, at Pilgrimand Calef avenues (Pole 17), is a sce-nic right-of-way that consists of apaved roadway about 50 feet wideand 166 feet long that extends east-ward to a cobble beach. This is oneof several road ends in the area thatoffers surfing access.• CRMC ROW#: C-2

41. Calef Avenue

A right-of-way just north of PointJudith at Pole 8, this site consists ofa grassy strip 50 feet wide and 140feet long, extending east from the in-tersection of Louise Avenue andCalef Avenue to a cobble beach. Noparking is available.• CRMC ROW#: C-3

42. Conant Avenue RoadEnd

This scenic right-of-way overlooksthe ocean and consists of a rockyshoreline with a path used by surfersand kayakers. No parking is available.• CRMC ROW#: C-7• Fishing

43. Scarborough StateBeach

One of the state’s most popularbeaches, this facility has gazebos,picnic areas, benches, a woodenboardwalk with concessions, chang-ing facilities, toilets, and showers.The wide sandy beach is ideal forswimming, walking, and a variety ofoceanside activities. Includes Scar-borough South Side, which offersaccess to grassy playing fields andtailgating. Ample on-site parking isavailable and accessible from OceanRoad. Fee.• Handicap access, trash receptacles

44. Black Point

Located off Ocean Road, just north ofScarborough State Beach, this statefishing area consists of a wooded dirtpath that extends toward the Bayfrom a parking lot just north of the oldstone carriage house ruins. The pathleads to a dramatic rocky shore ofboulders and tide pools. This is agreat place to relax and throw out afishing line, but use caution whenwalking out on the rocks, particularlyduring periods of high waves. On-siteparking is available.• CRMC ROW#: C-5 (on appeal)• Wildlife observation

45. Bass Rock Road

A right-of-way extending east ofOcean Road, this site is difficult to findbecause it is unmarked and can beeasily confused with the many privatedriveways in the area. The site offersa terrific view of Narragansett Bayand the Atlantic Ocean and is oftenused by recreational fishermen. Be-ware of treacherous wave conditionsand dangerous rocky shoreline.• CRMC ROW#: C-6• Trash receptacles

46. Newton Avenue

At the end of Newton Avenue, offOcean Road, a well-worn footpathleads to a dramatic rocky shore. Thisis a site where ancient bedrock,known as Narragansett Pier granite,surfaces. Fishing and wildlife obser-vation are popular but dangerous dueto treacherous waves and slipperyrocks.• CRMC ROW#: C-13• Trash receptacles

47. Hazard Avenue

This site, a right-of-way at the end ofHazard Avenue, off Ocean Road,consists of a well-worn footpath tospectacular granite rock formations.Fishing is popular but dangerous dueto the treacherous waves and slip-pery rocks.• CRMC ROW#: C-9• Trash receptacles

Rose Nulman Memorial Park

Point Judith Lighthouse

Calef Avenue

Pilgrim Avenue Extension

Scarborough State Beach

Conant Avenue Road End

Newton Avenue

§ h 48. State Pier #5(Tucker’s Dock)

Located off Ocean Road, near thewell and the intersection of SouthPier Road, this site offers boatlaunching, fishing, surfing, and a sce-nic view of Narragansett Bay. Park-ing is available for about 15 cars.There is also a bulkhead with pilingsto tie up to in a small, usually well-protected cove. This site is commonlyknown as Monahan’s Dock. The rampis steep and slippery at low tide.• Concessions, historic interest, trashreceptacles

49. Ocean Road

A walkway extends 0.8 mile fromNarragansett Beach south alongOcean Road, under the Towers, toState Pier #5 (Tucker’s Dock). This isa popular place to walk, to watch thesunrise, or to sit on the wall andwatch the passersby. When the windis blowing and the surf is up, this areais populated with surfers. Free park-ing is available along Ocean Road butfills up quickly on hot summer days.• Concessions, fishing, trash recep-tacles

50. Casino Park

Located off Route 1A, across thestreet from Narragansett TownBeach, this grassy area with a dis-tinctive gazebo offers an ocean viewand is the site of concerts and artshows during the summer. There islimited parking along Ocean Road. Avariety of shops and restaurants isnearby. The area may be reserved forspecial events for a fee.• Picnic tables/benches, trash recep-tacles

51. Narragansett TownBeach

Located off Route 1A, this is a verypopular summer beach spot. Thewide, sandy beach is perfect forwalking, sunning, picnicking, swim-ming, kayaking, and surfing. The townoffers seasonal fitness classes, con-certs, beach camps, junior lifesavingprograms, and special events. Thereis a parking lot for which a fee ischarged during the summer daytimehours. A beach pavilion and chang-

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ing rooms are available, but there isa rental fee. A shopping area contain-ing several restaurants, public rest-rooms, and a grocery store is locatednearby. Fee.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, fishing, trash receptacles

52. Canonchet Farm

Located off Route 1A, oppositeNarragansett Town Beach, Can-onchet Farm offers hiking trails andfishing in salt ponds borderingPettaquamscutt Cove. South CountyMuseum is located here and containsarticles of early Rhode Island life andindustry. There are also an animalpetting farm and plenty of parking onthe grounds. The museum is open inthe summer, beginning May 1, Wed-nesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.• Wildlife observation, toilets, trashreceptacles

53. Narrow River Inlet

Just east of Sprague Bridge, on thesouth side of the Narrow River inlet,is a small parking area and a path tothe tidal waters of the Narrow River.This site offers access to a popularfishing site underneath the bridgeand an excellent place to launch akayak.• Trash receptacles

54. Old Sprague BridgeOverlook

East of Scenic Route 1A is the site ofOld Sprague Bridge. The bridge abut-ments provide a view of thePettaquamscutt Refuge and theNarrow River. Depending on tidalconditions, this area can be quitepopulated with shore birds. This is anice site for a picnic or a fishing ex-cursion. There is parking available forcars on both sides of the river.• Handicap access

55. Middle Bridge

Seasonal fishing is popular from thecauseway and bridge over the Nar-row River. At the southwest end of thebridge there is a path to the NarrowRiver identified by a historic marker.There is restricted parking alongMiddlebridge Road and at the eastend of the bridge on a private lot fora fee. Kayak rentals are on the eastside of the bridge.• Trash receptacles

56. Pettaquamscutt CoveNational WildlifeRefuge

Along the southeastern shore of theNarrow River, this federally desig-nated national wildlife refuge con-tains over 150 acres of tidal marshes,mudflats, and estuary and is home tothe black duck. An access road leadsoff the west side of Scenic Route 1Ajust north of the bridge over the Nar-row River. This is a great place tohave a picnic and watch the sun setover the river. Parking is available.• Fishing

57. Narrow River Boat Ramp (South Kingstown)

This state-owned boat ramp is ingood condition and offers severalparking spaces. Take MiddlebridgeRoad to Pollock Avenue. Boatersshould be aware that Narrow Riverhas several bridges along its lengththat could pose an obstacle to boatswith high superstructures or towers.Parking is available.• Fishing

58. Route 1A Overlook

A parcel of land owned by the R.I.Department of Transportation andknown as The Overlook extends fromBoston Neck Road (Route 1A) east-ward to the shore of NarragansettBay. The lot is just south of BrowningDrive. It slopes steeply down to theshore so that when it is mowed it pro-vides a spectacular view of the lowerWest Passage. No on-site parking isavailable.• Wildlife observation, hiking/walking

59. Pettaquamscutt Park(South Kingstown)

High over the Narrow River is the his-toric site of the original purchase ofsurrounding lands by British colonistsfrom three sachems of the Narra-gansetts in 1657. There is a trail to thetop of the rock and a sweeping viewof the Narrow River. The trail startsat the town park at the base of therock. Parking on the road is re-stricted.• Historic interest, hiking/walking,trash receptacles, picnic tables/benches

60. PettaquamscuttAvenue

This right-of-way at the end ofPettaquamscutt Avenue may be usedas a ramp to launch small boats orkayaks. Due to the shallow depth ofthe Narrow River, this site is bestused at high tide.• CRMC ROW#: C-10

61. South Ferry Road

The old Jamestown ferry landing atthe end of South Ferry Road off Route1A also consists of a small cobblebeach on the West Passage. DutchIsland, Jamestown, and the James-town Bridge may be seen in the dis-tance. This is a multi-use site forswimming, fishing, boating, andwindsurfing. The site is adjacent tothe URI Graduate School of Ocean-ography. Parking is available.• CRMC ROW#: C-8

SouthFerryRoad

Narragansett Town Beach

NarrowRiver Inlet

Ocean Road

Hazard Avenue

State Pier #5 (Tucker’s Dock)

Old Sprague Bridge

Pettaquamscutt Cove

Pettaquamscutt Avenue

View to Middle Bridge

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Beavertail Lighthouse was built in 1749. It was the first lighthouse in Rhode Island and third inthe country following the 1716 Boston Harbor light and the 1746 Great Point light on Nantucket.Although this wooden tower burned to the ground just four years later, the tower that replaced itlasted until the present granite lighthouse was constructed in 1856. The base of the older tower wasexposed by the Hurricane of 1938 and now is marked by a granite plaque erected by the JamestownHistorical Society.

Today, the lighthouse is part of a state park that has seen a major increase in visitors, many ofwhom come to Beavertail to sightsee, whether from the comfort of a vehicle, from one of the fourscenic overlooks, or from the rocky coastline. Also, Beavertail boasts some of the best saltwaterfishing around, and its rocky shoreline provides fishermen with countless locations to cast into thesurf.

Jamestown

Roger Williams established a temporary trading post in the Wickford area in 1637, and four yearslater, Richard Smith built a trading post there as well, on land he acquired from the Narragansetts.He later occupied the building, known as Smith’s Castle, with his family. It was burned during KingPhilip’s War, and later rebuilt and expanded as a plantation. Today, Smith’s Castle is owned by theCocumscussoc Association and is open to the public. It serves as an example of the type of plantationhouse and grounds that existed along the Rhode Island shore, from Wickford to Westerly, in the 18th

century.

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Mackerel Cove, Jamestown

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1. Spirketing Street

This right-of-way, at the end ofSpirketing Street, consists of a pathrunning alongside a neighboringdriveway and a set of concrete stepsleading down to a cobble beach. Thisis a great place to watch the sun setwith great views of West Passage.• CRMC ROW#: G-2

2. Garboard Street

This grassy, 10-foot-wide right-of-way at Pole 32 provides a short walkwest from the end of Garboard Streetand Seaside Drive. A path throughsome shrubs allows for access to acobble beach overlooking theJamestown Bridge.• CRMC ROW#: G-11

3. Seaside Beach

This town property on the west endof Seaside Drive is a multi-use site,including a grassy picnic area, sandybeach, rock jetty for fishing, and asandy boat ramp. The boat ramp is agreat place to hand-launch craft. On-site parking is available for about 15cars.• Picnic tables/benches, swimming,toilets, trash receptacles

9. Conanicut IslandSanctuary

Owned by the Conanicut Island LandTrust and located north of theJamestown Police Station onCanonicus Avenue, this site offerswell-maintained wooded trails out tothe east side of Marsh Meadows,with scenic views of the marsh andthe hills beyond. While there is noparking on site, parking is availablewith permission at the police stationacross the street.

10. Potter Cove/TaylorPoint

Two different parking areas locatedjust north of the Newport Bridge, offBayview Drive, provide a very scenicview of the East Passage. A long, nar-row beach hugging Potter Cove canbe reached by stairs descending fromone parking lot. Popular activities in-clude scuba diving, windsurfing,kayaking, fishing, clamming, and pic-nicking on the shale rock outcropssurrounding the cove and reachedfrom the easternmost parking lot.• Trash receptacles

11. East Ferry

In the heart of downtown Jamestownis the site of the old landing for theNewport-Jamestown ferry, with apublic fishing pier, a beach, a touch-and-go dock, and a boat ramp. Theramp is adequate, but there are “NoTrailer Parking” signs posted. Thisarea is close to stores, restaurants,and the commercial district ofJamestown. The town’s harborbustles with summer boating enthu-siasts. There is a grassy commonswith access along the waterfront forwalking, jogging, or just sitting on thebenches and observing the shipspassing through the East Passage tothe ports of Providence and Fall River.Public parking is available, but fills upquickly in the summer.• Trash receptacles

Gilbert Stuart Birthplace

Jamestown & North KingstownPublic Park

Path to Shore

Boating


Wildlife Refuge

Scenic View

Fishing

Historic

Hiking

Key to Primary Uses

Jamestown 4. Buccaneer Way

When traveling north on SeasideDrive, be on the lookout for this 15-foot-wide, grassy path to the waterlocated between Dory Street andChamplin Way. Scuba diving is popu-lar at this site.• CRMC ROW#: G-9

5. Capstan Street

This right-of-way at the end of Cap-stan Street offers a grassy path downto a cobble shoreline.• CRMC ROW#: G-12

6. Broad Street

At the end of Broad Street off EastShore Road, on the northeast end ofConanicut Island, is a right-of-way toa quiet, rocky beach with a spectacu-lar view of upper Narragansett Bayand the entrance to Mount Hope Bay.In the early 1900s, this was the loca-tion of a steamboat landing for travelbetween Providence, Jamestown,and Newport.• CRMC ROW#: G-1• Fishing, trash receptacles

7. Carr Lane

Where Carr Lane joins East ShoreRoad is a public right-of-way that maybe difficult to spot because there isno sign. A grassy path from EastShore Road leads about 20 yardsthrough a clearing to a cobble beach,which offers a spectacular view ofthe Newport Bridge to the south andthe Mount Hope Bridge to the north.This site is a suitable picnicking areafor cyclists or hikers.• CRMC ROW#: G-10• Fishing

8. Decatur Avenue

A grassy, 20-foot-wide path extendseast from the Decatur Avenue roadend to a cobble beach overlookingthe Newport Bridge.• CRMC ROW#: G-13• Fishing

Conanicut Island Sanctuary

Spirketing Street

Buccaneer Way

Seaside Beach &Boat Ramp

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12. RIDEM Fish andWildlife MarineFisheries Center

This scenic site, adjacent to FortWetherill State Park, offers a path,located in front of the visitor parkingarea, out to bluffs overlooking cobblebeaches. There is a pretty view ofAquidneck Island and lots of boattraffic. On the other side of the fish-eries center is an accessible dockarea that provides fishing access.Parking is available.• Handicap access

13. Fort Wetherill StatePark

This park is located on Fort WetherillRoad, off Walcott Avenue. In additionto the ruins of Fort Wetherill, much ofthis state facility consists of a grassylawn with picnic tables and benchesfringed by rock bluffs overlookingsheltered coves and cobble beaches.Several one-way roads wind aboutthe park and lead to small parking lotswith panoramic views of Nar-ragansett Bay. Many footpaths leadto rocky outcrops that provide spec-tacular views from 50-foot-high bluffs.The park has an access point forscuba divers eager to view the out-crops from below sea level. This sitealso has a steep boat ramp in poorcondition. Plenty of on-site parking isavailable.• Handicap access, fishing, toilets

14. Mackerel Cove Beach

Situated at the head of a long cove,there is a sandy cobble beach, whilethe remainder of the cove has a rockyshore. This well-protected, shallowcove is ideal for family swimming.Boats and windsurfers are allowedonly after 5 p.m. and during the off-season. On-site pay parking is avail-able.• Picnicking, concessions, toilets,trash receptacles

15. Beavertail State Park

At the end of Beavertail Road, at thesouthern tip of Conanicut Island, is thesite of Rhode Island’s first lighthouse.It offers a spectacular vista of theAtlantic coastline. This peninsula parkis bordered by a rocky shore acces-

sible through low brush or by stonestairs in numerous locations. Look outfor breaking waves and slipperyrocks close to the water. Fishing isgood. Educational signs describecoastal habitats and ships that fre-quent the East Passage. The park ispopular throughout the year as aplace to observe the sea both in calmand stormy weather from the roadthat loops through the park. Ampleon-site parking is available. The light-house museum is open from June toSeptember, Wednesday through Sun-day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.• Handicap access, picnicking,hiking/walking, wildlife observation,toilets, trash receptacles

16. Conanicut Battery onProspect Hill

This site, located off Beavertail Roadon Battery Lane, was the location ofan earthen gun battery during theRevolutionary War. In the 20th century,underground observation posts wereadded to help direct coastal batter-ies elsewhere in the West Passageof Narragansett Bay during WorldWars I and II. Well-kept trails providean easy walk around the site and outto beautiful views of the West Pas-sage, with interpretive signs provid-ing a self-guided tour. Parking isavailable.• Picnicking, wildlife observation

17. Fort Getty

Located on Fort Getty Road offBeavertail Road, this recreation facil-ity is the site of a World War I andWorld War II fortification to guard theentrance to Narragansett Bay. It ispopular in the summer for camping,boating, fishing, and swimming. Atotal of 115 campsites are available—15 for tents, 100 for trailers.Windsurfers and small sailboats fre-quent this area. The town maintainsan outhaul for tying up fishing boatsand a boat ramp that is in good con-dition. There is a fee to use the rampduring the camping season. The out-door pavilion and grills are availablefor group picnics with a permit. Therocky shore is inviting to the explorerand rock walker. Ample on-site park-ing is available. There is an entrance

East Ferry

RIDEM Marine Fisheries Center

Fort Wetherill State Park

Beavertail State Park

Taylor Point

fee in the summer, and advance res-ervations are recommended forcamping and recreational vehicles.• Dock, picnic tables/benches,hiking/walking, wildlife observation,toilets, trash receptacles

18. Fox Hill Salt Marsh

At the entrance to Fort Getty Park isan ASRI wildlife refuge of low-lyingmarshland. There is a good view ofthe entire refuge from atop the hillsand ruins of Fort Getty across thestreet. Parking is available at FortGetty (seasonal fee). Entry gainedwith permission of ASRI. The KitWright Nature Trail on the west sideof the marsh provides access to thewater.

19. Sheffield Cove Marsh

While parked at Mackerel CoveBeach, take a walk across the streetand along one of several pathsthrough the marsh grass for a beau-tiful view of both coves. Although thehead of the cove is cobble, it is bor-dered by low marsh grass and mayhave many beautiful birds. Owned byASRI, it is a place for birding, wildlifephotography, and painting. No on-siteparking is available.• Fishing

20. West Ferry

At the end of Narragansett Avenueand adjacent to the Dutch Harborboatyard, there is a long paved pierextending into Dutch Harbor. Thesouthern side of the pier is accessibleto the public by permit. The town pro-vides well-maintained pilings,outhaul stringers, and transient moor-ings. There is no on-site boat rampor dock. Sweeping views of DutchHarbor, Fort Getty, Dutch Island, andthe Jamestown Bridge to the northabound. No parking is available.• Trash receptacles

Broad Street

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21. Marsh MeadowsWildlife Preserve

Surrounding the east end of GreatCreek Marsh is a wetland wildlifeconservation area, rich in wadingbirds and ducks, with an osprey nest-ing pole. The marsh can be seen fromNorth Main Road as it crosses overthe marsh. ASRI owns the northernsection of the marsh. No parking isavailable.

22. Watson Farm

Watson Farm, on North Main Road,is an 18th-century working farm, withcattle, sheep, horses, and a largevegetable garden. Run by the Soci-ety for the Preservation of New En-gland Antiquities, the 280-acre farmoffers self-guided hiking trailsthrough pastures, hayfields, andwoodlands out to the western shoreof the island; group tours; and spe-cial events. Open Tuesday, Thursday,and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., fromJune 1 through October 15. There isa small entrance fee. Parking is avail-able.

23. Hull Street

This hard-to-spot right-of-way, situ-ated at Pole 11 in a residential neigh-borhood, is located off Beach Avenueand is the first street south of theJamestown Bridge. Look for an opengrassy area. There is a very steepdecline to a cobble beach that pro-vides a spectacular view of the WestPassage and the Jamestown Bridge.• CRMC ROW#: G-7• Fishing

West Ferry

Potter Cove/Taylor Point

Pathway at Beavertail State Park

Fox Hill Salt Marsh

Sheffield Cove Marsh

Fort Getty

North Kingstown

24. Walmsley Lane

Located at the end of Walmsley Laneoff Tower Hill Road/Route 1, thismostly wooded 5-acre parcel pro-vides limited access to the NarrowRiver as well as access to the adja-cent URI boat house. Access to thisarea is off a primitive dirt road withlimited on-road parking. The primaryuse of this area is for the launchingof kayaks, canoes, and other small,non-motorized watercraft. It also pro-vides a unique opportunity to enjoythe scenic beauty of the Narrow Riverand its abundant wildlife.

25. Gilbert StuartBirthplace

Located at the head of the tidal Nar-row River on Gilbert Stuart Road, offRoute 1A, this site is an operating 18th-century snuff mill, the first in Americawith a waterwheel. In early spring,herring swim up the Narrow Riverfrom the sea past the mill and intoCarr Pond to spawn. Limited on-siteparking is available. Open seasonally.Fee.• Picnic tables/benches, wildlifeobservation, trash receptacles

26. Chafee NaturePreserve

Located off Boston Neck Road, theChafee Nature Preserve, commonlyreferred to as Rome Point, consistsof 230 acres of state-owned land tra-versed by a series of trails leading toNarragansett Bay. The town of NorthKingstown holds a conservationeasement over the land. The preserveis often host to harbor seals, who haulout on rocks in the water during win-ter months. There are also several ar-chaeological and historic resourcesthroughout the site. There is a fee forspecial group tours of the site (con-tact RIDEM). Parking is available.• Fishing

Conanicut Battery

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27. Bissel Cove

Located at the end of WorsleyAvenue, this site allows users the op-portunity to access Bissel Cove andNarragansett Bay by foot, bicycle, orboat. Navigation is difficult herebecause of the rocks close to shore.Otherwise, this is a quiet area offer-ing a great location for canoeing,kayaking, and birding. Shellfishing onshore is prohibited. No parking isavailable.• Fishing, hiking/walking

28. North KingstownTown Beach

Located at the end of Beach Street,this is a pleasant place to picnic, towalk on the beach, or to swim in theroped-off area in the Bay. The sandybeach is long and narrow and backedby a 3-foot-high bulkhead. Just be-hind the beach is a large grassy areashaded by tall trees, with picnictables, grills, and playground equip-ment. Across the street are the NorthKingstown Senior Center, the ColdSpring Community Center, and theWickford Art Association. During thesummer, daytime parking is restrictedto town residents.• Handicap access, concessions,fishing, toilets, trash receptacles

29. Wickford MunicipalWharf

At the end of historic Main Streetfrom Brown and West Main streets,this municipal wharf is situatedamong other commercial piers andhosts both commercial fishing andrecreational boats. It is a pleasant

Bissel Cove

North Kingstown Town Beach

Intrepid Drive Boat Ramp

Wickford Municipal Wharf

place to park and watch the activityof Wickford Harbor. There are alsorecreational fishing opportunities.There is no public launching facilityhere.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, toilets, trash receptacles

30. Wickford MunicipalDock

This site is located off Brown Streetalong the shoreline adjacent to themunicipal parking lot. The town main-tains 160 feet of transient dockingfacilities. A ramp leads from the wa-terfront park to the docks. A water-front walkway parallels the shorelineand offers a great opportunity to en-joy the panorama of an active harbor.• Picnicking

31. Pleasant Street

This site is located at the end ofPleasant Street, off Main Street. Theright-of-way is situated between twoprivately owned establishments,Wickford Yacht Club and PleasantStreet Wharf. It is possible to launchsmall boats from this site. Limitedparking is available.

32. Wilson Park

This town-owned park on West MainStreet in Wickford contains a boatramp, sports fields, basketball andtennis courts, a playground, and ashort recreational path that windsaround Mill Cove. Parking fortrailered vehicles is available at theboat ramp at the end of Intrepid Drive.• Dock, picnic tables/benches, wild-life observation, trash receptacles

Wickford Harbor

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Incorporated in 1677 along the western shore of Narragansett Bay, East Greenwich, originallyGreen Town, was named after Greenwich County of Kent, England. The Old Kent County Court-house, built in 1805, served as a seat of Rhode Island state government until 1854. Listed in theNational Register of Historic Places, it is one of the five original state houses in Rhode Island and isrecognized as one of the few surviving Federal/Georgian buildings of its size in the state. In the early1990s it stood vacant and deteriorating, facing indefinite closure. Restoration began in 1993, and thecourthouse was finally reopened as East Greenwich Town Hall in 1995.

Prior to the colonial settlement of Warwick, the land was occupied by the Cowesett, Shawomet,and Pawtuxet tribes, all members of the larger Narragansett Indian tribe. The Narragansetts traveledseasonally in the area, taking advantage of the rich natural resources of the Bay in the summer andupland resources in the winter. Samuel Gorton purchased Warwick from the Narragansetts, and theland was cleared for farms.

Warwick is a particularly rich area for studying the prehistoric people of southern New England.In the 1950s, several sites near Apponaug Cove in Warwick were excavated. Evidence of the peoplewho settled there dates back 2,100 years. Prehistoric quahog shells and deer bones serve as evidencefor the Narragansetts’ hunting and gathering lifestyle.

East Greenwich

Warwick

North Kingstown continued

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Rte 117

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East Greenwich Overlook

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North Kingstown, Warwick & East Greenwich

North Kingstown

33. Compass Rose Beach

Located off Roger Williams Way inthe Quonset-Davisville Port and Com-merce Park, this area consists of an800-linear-foot sandy beach ownedby the R.I. Department of Transpor-tation, leased by the R.I. Airport Cor-poration, and managed by the R.I.Economic Development Corporation.While only beach launches are al-lowed, the site is frequently utilizedto launch small watercraft. In thesummer, Compass Rose Beach ishost to several races and other ma-rine-related recreational activities.Parking is available.• Swimming, fishing, hiking/walking

34. Allen HarborComplex

Within the Quonset Point IndustrialPark, Allen Harbor is a well-protectedharbor and an ideal site for boaters.Many public amenities are offered atthe town marina, including plenty ofparking, bathrooms, and picnicbenches. There is a concrete boatramp available for a small entry fee.Parking is available.• Dock, trash receptacles

Public Park

Path to Shore

Boating


Scenic View

Key to Primary Uses

1. Potowomut Neck

Several rights-of-way run from IvesRoad to Greenwich Bay. Located in avery quiet residential neighborhood,these sites are generally footpathssituated between private homes, of-fering no parking. Sandy Point Beachis located at the end of Ives Road,where there are approximately 12parking spaces. Another alternativefor the runner, bicyclist, or walkerwould be to park in Goddard StatePark (about three miles away) beforegoing to the area. Potowomut Neckoffers many scenic vistas of Green-wich and Narragansett bays and thehead of the Potowomut River. Therights-of-way located in this area are:Bradford Avenue, Elkins Avenue,Charlotte Drive and Sidney Avenueintersection, Charlotte Drive and Rob-ert Avenue boat ramp, Charlotte Driveand Collins Avenue intersection,Charlotte Drive and Hopkins Avenueintersection, Beachwood Drive, IvesRoad end, and Beachwood Drive andBaycliff Drive intersection.

2. Goddard State Park

Located on Ives Road, off Forge Road,this year-round facility is a wonder-ful park to escape to in the summerfor swimming, in the fall for hiking/walking the trails, horseback riding,and observing the changing leaves,and in the winter for cross-countryskiing. Situated on Greenwich Bay,the facility offers a number of activi-

Warwick ties. There is a public boat launchramp (high tide only) and a fishingarea with plenty of parking fortrailered vehicles at the west end ofthe park, a public golf course, anequestrian park and trails, ball fields,a popular swimming beach, rest-rooms, and many picnic areas. Thereis also a concrete walk, extending thelength of the beach, that is handicapaccessible and includes benches andsmall gazebos providing shade fromthe sun. Special events, such as sum-mer concert series, are offered at thepark’s performing arts center. Ampleon-site parking is available.• Wildlife observation, dock, trashreceptacles

East Greenwich

3. Rocky Hollow RoadAccess at CromptonAvenue

Off Crompton Avenue, south of theHarbor Heights condominiums andnext to a marina, is a public right-of-way to Greenwich Cove.• CRMC ROW#: H-2

4. Bridge Street Access atCrompton Avenue

A wide, grassy strip just north of theHarbor Heights condominiums onCrompton Avenue, this public right-of-way offers pedestrians access toGreenwich Cove. There is no parkingavailable.• CRMC ROW#: H-5

5. East Greenwich TownOverlook and BoatRamp

Situated off Water Street, next to themunicipal transfer station, the mu-nicipal overlook and boat ramp offerboth visual access and boating ac-cess to Greenwich Bay. Parking isavailable at the overlook, where youcan reach the water’s edge by a flightof stairs or at the boat ramp.• Handicap access, dock, picnictables/benches, fishing, trashreceptacles

Rocky Hollow Road Access

East Greenwich Town Overlook

Allen Harbor Complex

Long Street Access

Bridge Street Access

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10. Chepiwanoxet Island

Though called Chepiwanoxet Island,this site is actually a peninsulalocated on the western shore ofGreenwich Bay, halfway betweenGreenwich Cove and ApponaugCove. Access to this 10-acre parcel,purchased by the city with help fromthe Champlin Foundation and The Na-ture Conservancy, is via Alger Road.The site is unimproved and offerssweeping views of Greenwich Bayproper. Parking is available.• Wildlife observation

11. Masthead Drive

One block east of Post Road, this in-teresting area has a shipyard, mari-nas, restaurants, marine retail shops,and a scenic waterfront walk alongGreenwich Bay. There is a smallgravel path in front of one of the res-taurants overlooking the marina, witha large picnic table available for pic-nickers who want to observe the ac-tivities of the marina and shipyard. Onthe south side of the marina, a rockjetty offers some protection from thewaves and a good spot for rod-and-reel fishing. Plenty of parking is avail-able.• CRMC ROW#: J-37• Handicap access, dock, toilets,trash receptacles

12. Arnold’s Neck Park

This site is a nice area for picnics andfor observing the hawks, geese, andducks in the fringing marsh acrossthe cove. Parking is available for ap-proximately 60 cars and trailers.There are picnic tables, a municipaldock, and a restaurant nearby.• Handicap access, trash receptacles

13. Ray’s Bait

Ray’s Bait & Tackle owns this boatramp on Arnold’s Neck Drive, locatedoff Route 1 and next to the bait shop.Parking is available. Fee.• Dock, trash receptacles

14. Apponaug Cove

This is a well-protected cove locatedeast of Post Road and east of the rail-road track, in the northwestern partof Greenwich Bay. One of the townboat ramps is located here. The coveis busy with recreational and com-mercial boats, fishing boats, and sail-boats. The waterfront has private andpublic docking facilities. Public docksand parking are located along thewestern side of the cove.• Picnicking, wildlife observation,trash receptacles

15. Nausauket Road

This public access site, located at thesoutherly end of Nausauket Road,provides views from the northwestcorner of Greenwich Bay. Parking isprohibited.• CRMC ROW#: J-24

16. Sylvia Drive

This right-of-way is a 200-foot grassypath down a gradual slope to a sandybeach on Greenwich Bay. It is a greatplace to take a walk on the beach.• CRMC ROW#: J-9• Swimming

17. Warwick City Park

Located on Long Street, off WestShore Road (Route 117) about one-half mile east of Apponaug, this largecity facility has much to offer, frombasketball, tennis, and ball playing tosecluded nature walks, a beach, andplaygrounds. This is an excellentfacility for the handicapped and thosewith bikes or strollers because thereare benches and a boardwalk ex-tending the length of the beach alongBrush Neck Cove. The wetland areasat the ends of the beach are ideallysuited for observing shore birds andother coastal wildlife. There are alsomany miles of trails for hiking/walk-ing, running, or bicycling. There is anominal entrance fee to the water-front in the summer. Parking is avail-able.• Swimming, fishing, historic interest,toilets, trash receptacles

Arnold’s Neck Park

Nausauket Road

6. Barbara M. TuftsPlayground

Off Water Street, just north of themunicipal overlook, this town-ownedplay area offers fun for the kids and aspectacular view of Greenwich Coveand Goddard Park. Cement steps leaddown to Greenwich Cove. Publicparking is available.• CRMC ROW#: H-1• Picnic tables/benches, trashreceptacles

7. Long Street Access atWater Street

This right-of-way is located onWater Street among several marinas.No on-site parking is available, butparking is available on Queen Street.• CRMC ROW#: H-3• Trash receptacles

8. King Street Access atWater Street

A public right-of-way located offWater Street, just south of DivisionStreet, King Street ends at GreenwichCove. A seafood restaurant is locatedhere. No parking is available.• CRMC ROW#: H-4• Historic interest

9. Division Street Accessat Water Street

This site is located next to the EastGreenwich Yacht Club on WaterStreet. A five-minute walk from MainStreet, this area is ideal for watchingharbor activities. Goddard Park is lo-cated across the cove. Seafood res-taurants are a short walk away.• CRMC ROW#: H-6• Picnic tables/benches, trash recep-tacles

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Sylvia Drive

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Barbara M. Tufts Playground

Warwick

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18. Seaview Beach

This site is located at the west end ofSuburban Parkway, off OaklandBeach Avenue, across Brush NeckCove from City Park and adjacent tothe tidal channel. Although this siteis not well maintained, it is a popularlocal spot for soft-shell clam digging.Swimming is not advised becausethere are no lifeguards on duty andthere are strong currents in this area.On-site parking is available behindthe beach.• Fishing, trash receptacles

19. Oakland Beach

At the southern end of OaklandBeach Avenue, off Route 117 East, isa wide, sandy municipal beach onGreenwich Bay. The beach extendsabout 900 feet along the shore andprovides a shallow swimming areawith lifeguards on duty in the summer.The shoreline is engineered, as evi-denced by the rock groins, and de-signed to contain sand and preventerosion. These structures provide thevisitor with an added opportunity towalk along the rocks, to look for in-tertidal creatures, or to cast a line forfish. There are also a grassy com-mons area, a ball field, nearby con-cessions, and toilets available in thesummer. Two concrete boat rampsand a handicapped-accessible dockare available. There is a nominalparking fee during the summer.• Picnic tables/benches, trashreceptacles

20. One Bay AvenueRestaurant

One Bay Avenue Restaurant offers aboat ramp and dock and is located onSuburban Parkway. Parking is avail-able. Fee.• Trash receptacles

21. Wharf Marina

Wharf Marina is located on WharfRoad in Warwick Cove and offers aboat ramp in excellent condition.Parking is available. Fee.• Dock, toilets, trash receptacles

22. Narragansett BayAvenue

The road/right-of-way on the westernend of Narragansett Bay Avenue runsapproximately 500 feet from the cor-ner of Crawford Avenue to the shoreof Greenwich Bay. Parking is prohib-ited.• CRMC ROW#: J-28

23. Ogden AvenueExtension

Located in a quiet residential neigh-borhood between two private homes,at the intersection of Ogden Avenueand Burnett Drive, this site has asteep boat ramp best suited forlaunching smaller boats at high tide.There are “No Parking” signs postedon-site.• CRMC ROW#: J-38• Fishing

24. Longmeadow FishingArea

At the end of Samuel Gorton Avenue,this long, rocky beach is a good areafor walking. There is a boat ramp inpoor condition. Limited parking isavailable.• Trash receptacles

Oakland BeachLongmeadow Fishing Area

Warwick City Park

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Goddard State Park

25. Bayside Beach

Located at the end of Pender Avenue,between Conimicut Point and Long-meadow Beach, Bayside Beach issituated in a quiet residential area.This site is best suited for beachwalking along the cobbles and rockyshore and observing the WarwickLighthouse in the distance.• Trash receptacles

42

Warwick City Park

h26. Conimicut PointRecreation Area

This multipurpose recreation areahas boat access (Shawomet BoatRamp), fishing spots, picnic areas,several rights-of-way, and wonderfulviews of Narragansett Bay. The citypark is located at the tip of Point Av-enue and is well identified with direc-tional signs. The point extends as asandy spit jutting out into Narra-gansett Bay towards Conimicut Light-house. On the north side of the pointare the Shawomet Avenue rights-of-way and the Bellman Avenue right-of-way. On the south side of the point,a bit more isolated and protectedfrom boat wakes, is a sandy beachideal for sunbathing. The rotary at the

point provides limited parking closeto the beach and there is also an un-marked ramp for handicap access tothe paved walk around the rotary, thebeach, and the grassy picnic area.Restrooms and ample additionalparking are about 200 yards fromhere. The park is closed betweensunset and sunrise. Shellfishing northof the park on the point is prohibiteddue to pollution.• Picnic tables/benches, swimming,trash receptacles

27. Shawomet BoatRamp

At the end of Shawomet Avenue, offStokes Street and adjacent toConimicut Point Recreation Area onupper Narragansett Bay, this sandyboat ramp is suitable for hand-carriedboats or for trailered boats with four-wheel-drive vehicles. There is park-ing available for approximately 15trailered vehicles.• Fishing

43

In 1638, Roger Williams purchased what is now the eastern part of Cranston from the NarragansettIndians. The town was named for Samuel Cranston, governor from 1698 until 1727.

Cranston was incorporated as a town in 1754. Its early industry was mainly textiles. As the IndustrialRevolution took hold, immigrants from Ireland, Italy, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Greece, and Armeniaarrived to work in the mills.

For nearly 100 years, Cranston also served as home to Rhode Island’s famous Narragansett Brewery. In1888, six local businessmen organized the Narragansett Brewing Company with a brewmaster from Berlin,Germany. The company constructed a brick brewing house and produced its first beer in December 1890. TheNarragansett Brewing Company was situated on New Depot Avenue, Cranston Street, and Garfield Avenue.The brewery closed for good in 1983 due to high production costs.

Cranston

The worst hurricane to hit New England in recorded history struck on September 21, 1938. People inProvidence found themselves in the midst of a devastating storm virtually without warning. The so-called“Florida cyclone” killed some 600 people in New England and did at least $306 million in damage in 1938dollars (about $3.5 billion today). The storm’s intensity, direction, and timing combined to flood Providencewith a 20-foot storm surge.

The flood and the fear of similar future events prompted calls for restricting the ocean’s ability to flowinto the Providence River. Another severe hurricane struck in 1954, and construction on the Fox Point Hurri-cane Barrier began in 1960 and was completed in 1966. Located 750 feet upstream from Fox Point in Provi-dence, where the Providence River flows into the Narragansett Bay, the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier servestwo central functions. First, it serves to retard high tides from potential storm surges in Narragansett Bay, andsecond, it maintains river flow so that water levels do not get too high behind the barrier. The barrier can beseen from Corliss Landing (see page 49).

Providence

Warwick continued

During the late 18th century, Rhode Island pioneered the Industrial Revolution thanks in large part toSamuel Slater, who introduced textile-manufacturing technology to the United States. In 1790, Slater estab-lished his first mill—one of the first factories in the United States—on the Blackstone River. Three years later,in Pawtucket, he built Slater Mill, the first American factory to successfully produce cotton yarn with water-powered machines. Other mills were soon established throughout Rhode Island and New England. By thefirst half of the 19th century, there were more than 100 mills in Rhode Island that employed thousands of men,women, and children. Today, visitors can tour Slater Mill and meet costumed interpreters who explain anddemonstrate what life was like as America began moving from the farm to the factory (see page 50).

Pawtucket

East Providence was first settled by Roger Williams and his followers in 1636, after he had been banishedfrom the Massachusetts Bay Colony. When, only months after arriving there, Williams was informed that thearea was actually in Massachusetts, he was forced to move again to the area now occupied by the city ofProvidence. East Providence continued to be part of Massachusetts for over 200 years until 1861 when theU.S. Supreme Court ordered that its boundary line be relocated to fall within the borders of Rhode Island.

East Providence

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Designing Providence’sRiverfront Revival

Twenty years ago, the once-meandering rivers of downtownProvidence had become, essentially, a set of pipes. Over themsquatted “the widest bridge in the world,” a deck of roadwaysfeaturing the rotary known as Suicide Circle. The lowerWoonasquatucket and Moshassuck rivers—along with theirconfluence, the upper Providence River—were almost completelyhidden beneath a sea of asphalt.

In early 1982, William D. Warner, a planner and architect, proposeda study that would look at reconnecting Providence with its lostwaterfronts. The timing was fortunate, as the R.I. Department ofTransportation was just beginning a project to relocate the railroaddowntown. “So you can see we were under the gun,” said Warnerduring an interview at his office, a renovated mill in Exeter, R.I.“They’re already building this thing, and we’re getting funding tocommence a study.”

In 1983, Warner’s firm, William D. Warner Architects & Planners,embarked on the project with funding from the National Endowmentfor the Arts, the Providence Foundation, and the R.I. Department ofTransportation. From the outset, the study included public participa-tion workshops. “That was key,” said Warner, “because the peopledidn’t even know where their rivers were. I said, ‘Look, folks, it doesn’thave to be this way.’”

“We began to develop a groundswell of interest to uncover therivers,” he continued, “to make them accessible. At the same time, wesolved the traffic problem, which made it a real project because thefunding came from the Federal Highway Administration to build it.”The state’s transportation planners recognized the value of theproposal and, by late 1984, approved a $60-million project to unearththe rivers and extend Memorial Drive, improving traffic flow throughthe downtown. Construction was completed 12 years later, in 1996.

Warner designed 12 low, graceful, arched bridges to spanProvidence’s reborn rivers and designed Waterplace Park andRiverwalk. Now one can rent a kayak, ride a Venetian gondola, dineoverlooking the river, or simply stroll along the water’s edge. Sincecompletion of the project, more than a million people have attendedBarnaby Evans’ WaterFire, an occasional installation of flamingtorches and surreal music on the rivers. Many of these visitors were

undoubtedly unaware that thewatercourses were all but lost just twodecades ago.

In 1990, Warner’s firm turned itsattention to the state’s next majortransportation undertaking: rebuildingInterstate 195. Warner again teamedup with the Providence Foundationand the National Endowment for theArts and developed the Old HarborPlan, which proposed moving thehighway seaward of the Fox PointHurricane Barrier.

State transportation plannersapproved the proposal, and construc-tion has begun on the project, whichwill uncover 45 acres of waterfrontland in downtown Providence for useas parks, streets, and for privatedevelopment. The project includes theextension of the Riverwalk to FoxPoint, improving the pedestrianconnection between downtown andIndia Point Park. Warner’s vision will,once again, reunite a part of Provi-dence with a vital element of the city’sheritage—Narragansett Bay.

—By Tom Ardito, Editor, NarragansettBay Journal, and Outreach and PolicyCoordinator, Narragansett Bay EstuaryProgram

This article first appeared in theNarragansett Bay Journal, availableon-line at www.nbep.org/journal/.

Providence Riverwalk

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A Century of Change:

Providence Harbor ShorelinesOver the course of the 20th century, about 350 acres of coastal waters along the edges of the Providence River were

filled for shipping, roadways, and industry. The map on the left shows that, by 1894, the shoreline of downtown Providencehad largely been filled, but the banks of the lower Providence River were still largely natural, except for the construction ofrail lines. Salt marshes and tidal creeks occupied the edges of Watchemoket Cove in East Providence and the now-forgotten Corliss Cove in south Providence. The 1987 map on the right shows that, in less than 100 years, these naturalshorelines were completely buried beneath shipyards, oil tanks, the state’s largest wastewater treatment plant, and a stripjoint or two.

The same kinds of changes, on a lesser scale, have transformed shorelines all around Narragansett Bay. From QuonsetPoint to Fall River, salt marshes, coastal ponds, and shallow waters have been filled to build wharves, naval bases, andhighways, to dispose of mud from channel dredging, and to protect houses and roads from storms. The pace of changeslowed greatly after 1972, when the Clean Water Act gave federal and state governments the ability to protect wetlandsand water by limiting dredge-and-fill operations.

In the 21st century, some of Narragansett Bay’s shorelines may begin moving in the opposite direction, migratinglandward as sea level rises. More likely, this trend will lead to increased demand for engineering measures—like seawallsand shoreline fill—to protect coastal property from the rising sea.

—By Tom Ardito, Editor, Narragansett Bay Journal, andOutreach and Policy Coordinator, Narragansett Bay Estuary Program

This article first appeared in the Narragansett Bay Journal, available on-line at www.nbep.org/journal/.

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“Back then,” laughs Bob Billington, recalling theearly days of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council,“you couldn’t say ‘Blackstone Valley’ and ‘tourism’ inthe same sentence without getting a big guffaw.”

Nobody’s laughing now. Since its formation in theearly 1980s, Billington has built the tourism council froma shoestring organization into an internationallyrecognized leader in “urban ecotourism.” Perhaps moreimportant from Billington’s perspective is the changethat the council has brought about: an entirely newappreciation for the Blackstone River among thecommunities that line its banks in northern Rhode Islandand southeastern Massachusetts. Early on, it took somedoing.

“I spoke with every Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis Club,every mayor and city council in the Blackstone Valley,”he remembers, in an effort to convince them that theBlackstone River could be an asset to their hard-scrabble mill towns.

Their initial skepticism was understandable. Just 30or 40 years ago, the Blackstone, sometimes called “thehardest working river in America,” was nearly dead, afetid conduit for waste and a source of hydropower,with little biological value. But passage of the federalClean Water Act in 1972 regulated discharges fromfactories and city sewers; by the 1980s, the Blackstone,while still a far cry from an alpine stream, was improv-ing.

Bringing Back the Blackstone

The time was ripe for Billington’s message. Slowly—more by dint, one suspects, of his persistent enthusi-asm than anything else—it began to take hold. In 1986,Sen. John Chafee spurred the creation of theBlackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, a“special type of national park…to preserve andinterpret…the unique and significant value of theBlackstone Valley,” according to the National ParksService, which administers it. The bill provided fundingthrough the heritage corridor to improve the naturaland cultural resources of the Blackstone: in 2002,roughly $1 million in grants. The heritage corridor andthe tourism council were natural partners, andBillington was appointed to serve on the commissionestablished to guide the work of the corridor.

In 1989, Billington hatched another implausiblescheme—to get people out in boats on the BlackstoneRiver. He contacted Luther Blount, a prominentshipbuilder in Warren. As it turned out, Blount’sgrandparents had met while working at Slater Mill inPawtucket. Billington met Blount on the banks of theBlackstone to share his vision of tourboats on the riverand seek his advice.

“Luther said, ‘I think you can do it,’” Billingtonrecalls. “He said, ‘I’ve got a couple of boats, I use themon the Carribean in the winter, they don’t do anything inthe summer—why don’t you lease them from me?’They were glass-bottom boats. We used to say it wasthe shopping-cart-and-rusty-oil-drum tour!”

By any name, the venture was “an overwhelmingsuccess,” says Billington. “People actually wanted toget out on the river.” The tourism council’s weekendtours sold out at $7.50 a head. Even today, Billingtonseems astonished at the public enthusiasm for thosefirst river tours. “My view of the Blackstone growing upwas just foam and suds—it was just awful,” he recalls.“Now you hear people say, ‘I’ve lived to see theBlackstone come back.’”

—By Tom Ardito, Editor, Narragansett Bay Journal,and Outreach and Policy Coordinator, NarragansettBay Estuary Program

This article originally appeared in the Narragansett BayJournal, available online at www.nbep.org/journal/.

Slater Mill

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In 1993, the Blackstone Valley Tourism Councillaunched the 33-foot Blount-built Blackstone ValleyExplorer, a 49-passenger aluminum-hulled vesselpowered by twin 25-horsepower outboards.

“We nicknamed it ‘The Convincer’ because it’s theboat we used to convince people that the Blackstonewas worth saving,” says Billington. “Many of them werepublic officials. They’d get out on the river and their bloodpressure would go down. Senators would go back toWashington and say, ‘I’ve been on the river.’” To date,175,000 passengers have gained a new perspective ofthe Blackstone from the deck of the Explorer.

A crane lifts the Explorer over dams, allowing it towork different areas of the river. The council’s ecologist,Tammy Gilpatrick, leads on-board nature tours for schoolgroups, engaging the kids in hands-on water-qualitytesting and teaching them about pollution issues as wellas the natural history of the river. The Explorer also takeschildren and adults on river history tours, with trainedguides to help passengers understand 300 years ofchanges along the Blackstone.

In 2000, an English canal boat, the Samuel Slater, wasadded to the fleet. The Slater is a kind of floating B&Bthat offers overnight trips in the Lonsdale area in Lincoln,perhaps the prettiest and most natural reach of the lowerBlackstone. “People come from all over the country tosleep on the Blackstone River,” says Billington, stillslightly amazed. A 20-foot pontoon boat, the Spirit of theBlackstone Valley, also runs tours of the BlackstoneGorge on the Rhode Island-Massachusetts border.

For information on the Blackstone Valley TourismCouncil’s riverboat tours, call (401) 724-2200(www.tourblackstone.com).

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29. Gaspee Point Drive

This right-of-way at the end ofGaspee Point Drive provides a con-crete slab boat ramp and access toNarragansett Bay. Parking is avail-able for eight trailered vehicles.• CRMC ROW#: J-22• Trash receptacles

30. George B. SalterGrove

Off the scenic Narragansett Parkway,at the end of Landon Road, this statepark overlooks Narragansett Bay andhas several grassy knolls ideallysuited for picnicking. There is a dirtramp leading to a well-protectedcove, best suited to launching smallboats at high tide. The park has pic-nic tables and plenty of parking. Thissite is unsafe for swimming due topoor water quality.• Fishing, hiking/walking, trashreceptacles

Warwick CranstonPublic Park

Path to Shore

Boating

Scenic View

Fishing

Historic

Key to Primary Uses

1. Aborn Street BoatRamp

A concrete ramp is located off BroadStreet, at the end of Aborn Street.However, it is usable only at high tide,because the entire cove is navigableonly at high tide. Although no park-ing is permitted in the immediatearea, there is parking for more than20 cars at the nearby city-ownedCommercial Street parking lot.• CRMC ROW#: K-2

2. Seaview Park

Located on a cul-de-sac at the endof Seaview Avenue, this small parkoverlooks historic Pawtuxet Cove.The area is enclosed on three sideswith a three-rail wood fence and hasa picnic table and park benches.There is no parking on the cul-de-sac.• CRMC ROW#: K-3• Trash receptacles

3. Ocean Avenue

At the foot of Ocean Avenue, next tothe Rhode Island Yacht Club, fivesteps in a concrete seawall lead to abeach that is accessible only at low tide.• Scenic view

4. Stillhouse Cove

A grassy strip at the southern end ofNarragansett Boulevard overlooksthe Rhode Island Yacht Club,Stillhouse Cove, and the ProvidenceRiver. There is an unmarked asphaltboat ramp in poor condition leadingto the Providence River. The ramp issituated on a muddy, rocky shore andis usable only at extreme high tides.The town plans to construct a con-crete, 15-foot-wide concrete ramp by2005. No on-street parking is avail-able.• Picnicking, wildlife observation

5. Arnold Avenue

Arnold Avenue ends in a small grassyarea. In spite of a chain link fence ontop of the concrete seawall, this is apleasant spot to bring a lunch andenjoy the view of the river.

6. Collier Point Park

This site, owned by NarragansettElectric Company, is on HendersonStreet and is open from dawn to dusk.Parking is available.• Trash receptacles

7. Waterplace Park

This 4-acre park features a 240-foot-diameter pond and reconstructedriverwalk in the heart of downtownProvidence along the historic water-front. This site hosts outdoor con-certs and, on spring, summer, andearly fall evenings, is also the loca-tion of WaterFire, an installation byartist Barnaby Evans that centersaround a series of 100 bonfires thatblaze just above the surface of thethree rivers that pass through themiddle of downtown Providence.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, concessions, trashreceptacles

8. Corliss Landing

Corliss Landing is a small city park onSouth Water Street with severalbenches facing the Providence River,the Narragansett Electric Plant, andthe hurricane barrier that was builtto protect downtown Providencefrom flooding during a hurricane. Thepark is surrounded by shops and res-taurants of the Old Harbor Districtand is close to downtown Provi-dence. Only streetside parking isavailable.• Hiking/walking, trash receptacles

Warwick, Cranston, Providence, Pawtucket & East Providence

Aborn Street Boat Ramp

Corliss Landing

Stillhouse Cove

George B. Salter Grove

Seaview Park

Ocean Avenue

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9. India Point Park

This city park on India Street offersviews of downtown Providence andthe city’s working waterfront. A bulk-head provides protection for asphaltpaths and grassy areas for jogging,walking, and playing ball. India PointPark is a pleasant place to bring alunch and enjoy a view of the Provi-dence River from one of the manywooden benches or picnic tables.The dock for the Block Island Ferry isalso located here. Parking is avail-able.• Handicap access, trash receptacles

10. Richmond SquareParking Lot

This parking lot at the end of PitmanStreet offers no facilities but has ascenic view of the Seekonk River.A 10-foot-high bluff makes this apossible fishing spot. Several steeppaths make it possible to access thecobble shoreline.• Hiking/walking

11. Blackstone Park

This 40-acre city park has 2,400 feetof shore frontage on the SeekonkRiver. It is located on the East Side ofProvidence, just north of RichmondSquare, at the end of WatermanStreet. The park is equipped withbenches, picnic tables, and trashfacilities. Winding paths and streetsprovide pleasant routes for jogging,fishing, and bicycling. Parking is lim-ited to roadside spaces.• Wildlife observation

12. Max Read Field

This athletic field complex is locatedon Pleasant Street next to Francis J.Varieur Elementary School. The 13.8-acre site contains football, baseball,and softball fields, and a quarter-milerunning track. Beyond the playingfields are a few benches and a steepset of stairs leading to the banks ofthe Seekonk River. Concessions andrestrooms are open only duringgames. On-site parking is available.• Fishing, hiking/walking, trashreceptacles

13. Pawtucket TownLanding

This boat-launching ramp is locatedon Taft Street beneath the DivisionStreet bridge. This is a great place tolaunch a boat into the Seekonk Riveror to relax on a bench. Off-streetparking for boat trailers is availableboth across the street and just southof the ramp.• Handicap access, dock, fishing, his-toric interest, trash receptacles

14. Slater Mill HistoricSite

Located on the Blackstone River atthe head of Narragansett Bay, thisNational Historic Landmark includesthree historic buildings, a dam, apower canal, and a riverside park. OldSlater Mill (1793) was the first factoryin America to manufacture cottonyarn with water-powered machines.Today, the mill museum includes theoriginal historic mill, operating textilemachinery in the Wilkinson Mill (circa1810), and a restored residence, theSylvanus Brown House. The museumprovides self-guided tours with inter-pretations done by staff at each of thethree buildings. An adjacent visitors’center contains a theater, a gift shop,and information on both the SlaterMill and the Blackstone River ValleyNational Heritage Corridor. The mu-seum is open every day during thesummer and on weekends in thespring and fall. Nearby, the riversideHodgson Rotary Park is a scenic spotfor a picnic. Take exit 27 off I-95 and

follow signs. Parking is available. Fee.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, hiking/walking, toilets,trash receptacles

15. School Street Pier

A steep cobblestone road leads fromSchool Street (Route 114) to thisfacility on the Seekonk River, ownedby the city of Pawtucket. The pier iscurrently used primarily for fishing,though there is a cement boat rampin fair condition. Plenty of on-siteparking is available. The city plans todevelop a riverfront park on this7-acre waterfront site.• Handicap access

16. Metropolitan Park

Also known as the Seekonk RiverReservation, this 15.8-acre park is thesite of the Pawtucket Boys’ and Girls’Club on School Street (Route 114). Asmall amount of the acreage iswooded, and the remainder of the sitecontains tennis courts, two baseballdiamonds, and a soccer field. Apaved walk leads around the ballfields to a scenic sitting area abovethe Seekonk River. The site com-mands a nice view of the Swan Pointand Riverside cemeteries across thewater. Access to the water is danger-ous, as there are no steps or pathsdown the steep slope. Ample parkingmakes this municipal site a spot tohave lunch, relax, enjoy the river, andplay ball.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, historic interest

Blackstone Park

School Street Pier

India Point Park

Pawtucket Town Landing

Max Read Field

Richmond Square Parking Lot

Metropolitan Park

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17. John Lewis Park

This small waterfront park has viewsto India Point and the Seekonk Riverand is located adjacent to East Provi-dence Yacht Club at the terminus ofMauran Avenue at Pier Road. Park-ing is available.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, trash receptacles

18. Bold Point Park

This city park on the east side of theProvidence River has a good boatramp and a sturdy dock. The 2.1-acrepark is nicely landscaped and has agreat view of the Providence water-front. Plenty of on-site parking isavailable. Located on Pier Road, justsouth of Exit 4 from I-195. Fishing isprohibited.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, trash receptacles

19. Veterans’ MemorialParkway

The west side of the parkway hasthree separate parking areas, all onbluffs, with sweeping views of theProvidence River and the Providencewaterfront. These scenic overlooksare ideal spots to park your car andeat lunch. Further south on the park-way, Squantum Woods Park offerspicnic areas and trails that overlooka coastal cove and tidal marsh. Thesepark areas are connected by the EastBay Bicycle Path.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, trash receptacles

20. East Bay BicyclePath—RiversideSquare Leg

This popular state bike path currentlystarts at India Point Park in Provi-dence and passes through EastProvidence, Barrington, Warren, andBristol along the old railroad bed.There is a small park just off the bikepath at Vintner Avenue consisting ofa tot lot, basketball court, and picnictables. Parking is available.• Handicap access, concessions,wildlife observation, trash recep-tacles

21. Sabin Point Park

Located at the end of Shore Road, thiswaterfront park commands sweepingviews of the upper Bay. Facilitiesinclude a boat ramp, dock, lightedbasketball courts, a tot lot, coveredpicnic tables, and plenty of on-siteparking.• Fishing, hiking/walking, trashreceptacles

22. Providence AvenuePlayground

Located on Providence Avenue,which begins at Crescent View Av-enue across from Crescent Park, onthe north end of Bullock Cove, thispark has a baseball diamond and bas-ketball courts. The waterfront area ofthe park has not been developed, butthere are wooded paths at the far endof the parking lot leading to the shore.Plenty of on-site parking is available.• Picnic tables/benches, trashreceptacles

23. Beach RoadExtension

This city right-of-way on the Northend of Bullock Point has a long sandybeach that is well suited for walking,but is presently deemed to be unsafefor swimming, due to bacteria levelsin upper Narragansett Bay.• Trash receptacles

24. Crescent Park

This city park is on the site of theformer Crescent Amusement Park, afavorite summertime stop for steam-boats loaded with city residentsduring the 1890s. The only ride re-maining is the Looff Carousel, circa1895. The park features plenty of on-site parking. The carousel runs noonto 9 p.m. from Wednesday throughSunday in the summer. Access to thepark is from Crescent View Avenue.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, concessions, toilets, trashreceptacles

25. Rose LarisaMemorial Park

This 10.6-acre city park is locatedacross the street from Crescent Park,on the west side of Bullock Point Av-enue, overlooking Narragansett Bay.It features walking trails, benches,picnic areas, lawns, scenic over-looks, landscaping, and a 1,280-footpublic beach, accessible by twowooden staircases, and is open fromEaster to Columbus Day. Parking isavailable.• Trash receptacles

26. Bullock Cove Access

This site on Carousel Drive offers agrass path down to a marsh area onBullock Cove. Though no parking isavailable, it is a short walk from theLooff Carousel and its parking lot.• Wildlife observation

Crescent Park

Bold Point Park

Providence Avenue Playground

Veterans’ Memorial Parkway

Beach Road Extension

Sabin Point Park

East Providence

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Salt Marsh

Most of what you see in a salt marsh is grass of the genus Spartina—cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) near thewater, and salt-marsh hay (Spartina patens) above the level of the average tides. Going inland, there are zonesdominated by spike grass, black grass, and switch grass, with reeds and cattails where freshwater creeks enterthe marsh. Finally, above the highest tides, is a belt of shrubs, including bayberry. At the base of the grassesgrowing in the flooded part of the marsh are found algae in the form of filaments or tiny diatoms.

The salt-marsh ecosystem is actually created, in part, by the plants that make up the bulk of the living thingsfound there. The cordgrass is known as a pioneer species, which colonizes bare mud flats. Blades of deadcordgrass accumulate among the live plants, held by stems and roots, trapping sediments to form a layer of peat.Layers of peat eventually accumulate to raise the landward part of the salt marsh to the high-tide level. Salt-marshhay can then begin to grow on the higher ground, protected from constant flooding by the tides. Peat forms fromthe salt-marsh hay as well, further raising the level of the marsh so that the landward edges are protected fromflooding by all but the highest storm-driven tides.

The plant community supports an animal community by providing both food and shelter. Parts of the grasses areeaten by insects, while diatoms and filamentous algae are consumed by tiny worm-like and shrimp-like creatures,as well as fish like mummichog and sheepshead minnow, and mollusks, such as snails and mussels. These, in turn,are eaten by crabs such as the fiddler crab, cancer crab, blue crab, lady crab, and horseshoe crab—which reallyis more closely related to spiders than to crabs. Birds, such as herons, ducks, terns, and plovers, feed on fish,crabs, and worms, as well as on the seeds of the grasses. Mammals are represented by mice, shrews, raccoons,skunks, minks, and weasels.

This is the salt-marsh ecosystem, a community of plants and animals controlled by the tide.

—By Jim Donaldson, former URI oceanography graduate student. This article first appeared in A Guide to RhodeIsland’s Natural Places.

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Before the Pilgrims landed, Barrington was occupied by the Wampanoag Indians. In 1632, atrading post was established at Tyler Point near the present Barrington Yacht Club. What is nowcalled Barrington was then called by its Indian names, Sowams and Pokanoket.

In 1653, the early Pilgrims purchased the land from the Wampanoags; Massasoit, a chief of theWampanoag tribe, was paid 35 pounds in return. Myles Standish received much of the land in WestBarrington north of the present Rhode Island Country Club, although he chose not to live there.Standish called the area “The Garden of the Plymouth Patent and the Flower of the Garden” becauseof its fertile soil and scenic location.

Barrington became part of Rhode Island in 1746, and was incorporated in 1770. In the 1790s, saltworks were established here for evaporation of the waters of Narragansett Bay.

Barrington

Warren, like Tiverton, was given to Rhode Island from Massachusetts in the settlement of aboundary dispute in 1746, and was incorporated as a town the following year. The town was namedafter Admiral Sir Peter Warren, who commanded the British fleet that cooperated with the NewEngland troops in the capture of the fortress of Louisberg. The town was pillaged and partiallyburned by Hessian troops during the Revolutionary War. In the early days, Warren held its place inworld commerce mostly by shipbuilding. Its plentiful water supply from the Warren and Kickamuitrivers, together with its location on Narragansett Bay, soon helped to make it a thriving industrialcenter.

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Barrington & Warren

Barrington

1. Haines Memorial Park

The 73-acre state park is ideal forboat launching, fishing, picnicking,and playing ball. Ample parking isavailable on both sides of the park,which straddles Narragansett Av-enue. The boat ramp, in excellentcondition, offers access to BullockCove, which has several full-servicemarinas. This is a good place to parkfor access to the East Bay BicyclePath. No fishing is permitted from thedock.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, hiking/walking, toilets,trash receptacles

2. Allen Avenue

This public right-of-way is located atthe end of Allen Avenue next to theCove Haven Marina. Access to thewater is obstructed by debris andmarsh vegetation.

3. Bay Spring Avenue

Located at the end of Bay Spring Av-enue, this public right-of-way over-looks Bullock Cove and has a boatramp in poor condition that is usedby shellfishermen. No parking isavailable.

4. Woodbine Avenue

A public right-of-way is located at theend of the avenue on Bullock Cove.There is no boat access to the water,but the site makes for a scenic pic-nic spot.

5. Latham Park

This small town park is open to thepublic until 9 p.m., when car traffic isprohibited. The park has a nice viewof the entrance to Bullock Cove andhas an open grassy field ideal for kiteflying. Parking is available.• Picnic tables/benches, hiking/walking, wildlife observation, trashreceptacles

6. Willow Way

This public right-of-way includes 500feet of beach that is considered un-safe for swimming. Located at theend of Willow Way, the beach areaoverlooks upper Narragansett Bay. Awetland behind the beach providesexcellent bird watching opportuni-ties.• Hiking/walking

7. Annawamscutt Road

This road ends at the shore in a pleas-ant area of crushed shells and sand,with a grand view of upper Nar-ragansett Bay. Roadside parking isprohibited. Water is unappealing andunfit for swimming.• Hiking/walking

8. Appian Way

Owned by the Barrington Land Con-servation Trust, this site, though welldisguised as a private drive, is a 50-foot dirt path leading to NarragansettBay. There is a small point with apleasant sandy area on one side anda wetland on the other. This site isgreat for bird watching. No roadsideparking is available.• Hiking/walking

9. Nayatt/Daunis Road

This scenic right-of-way consists ofa path along Mussachuck Creek thatleads to a cobble beach on Narr-agansett Bay. There is no on-streetparking.• CRMC ROW#: P-2• Fishing, hiking/walking

10. Elm Lane

A public right-of-way on the southend of Elm Lane, this site commandsa nice view of Narragansett Bay andhas a bulkhead well suited for fish-ing. No parking is available.

11. Watson, Clark, Bluff,and WaterwayExtensions

These four street ends are parallel toeach other and all lead to the exten-sion of Barrington Beach. Watson,Clark, Bluff, and Waterway all havetrash facilities, but parking is prohib-ited on all four streets.• Swimming, hiking/walking

12. Barrington TownBeach

This is a long, sandy beach with com-manding views of Narragansett Bay.Lifeguard hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.daily in the summer season. Thereare showers and restrooms at thesite. During the summer, the munici-pal beach is restricted to town resi-dents who have paid the permit fee.The beach is, however, open to any-one in the off-season. Parking isavailable.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, hiking/walking, trashreceptacles

13. Barrington PoliceStation Boat Ramp

This boat ramp is located on theBarrington River just north ofBarrington Harbor. Boat ramp andtrailer parking are available for townresidents with permit. The ramp isadjacent to the East Bay BicyclePath. Fee.• Hiking/walking, trash receptacles

14. Veterans’ MemorialPark

A 200-acre town park is located nextto the YMCA and surrounds BrickYard Pond. The pond is very shallowand only suitable for canoes, row-boats, and shallow-draft sailboats.The park is a great spot for suchactivities as fishing, jogging, and birdwatching. Open from sunrise to sun-set. Parking is available.• Picnic tables/benches, trashreceptacles

Public Park

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15. Walker Farm

This 30-acre town park includes aboat ramp and a dock that is suitedfor fishing. It is located off CountyRoad and overlooks the west side ofHundred Acre Cove. Parking is avail-able.• Trash receptacles

16. Osamequin NatureTrails and BirdSanctuary

Two to three miles of trails windthrough the sanctuary adjacent toHundred Acre Cove and borderingwetlands, making this an ideal placefor observing migratory waterfowland shore birds. No hunting, camp-ing, fires, or swimming is allowed inthis town-owned sanctuary. Parkingis for town residents only, by permit.

17. Knockum HillReserve

This town-owned nature reserve ishome to endangered bird species anddiamondback terrapin, and thereforeseveral restrictions apply: No ve-hicles, hunting, horseback riding, orfirearms are allowed on the site. Aquarter-mile walk down a dirt roadleads to an overgrown wooded areathat eventually leads down to thewater. A number of trails make this agood place for walking and birdwatching. Access may be gainedfrom George Street on theBarrington/Swansea border. Noparking is available.• Fishing

18. Acre Avenue

Located on Hundred Acre Cove, thispublic right-of-way has an overgrown50-yard path that crosses wetlandsbefore reaching the water. The siteis ideal for bird watching and shell-fishing.

19. Juniper Street

The end of this road is a public right-of-way and a shellfishing spot.

20. Wamsetta Avenue

Hand-carry boat hauling and launch-ing only are permitted at this townright-of-way on the Barrington River.The launching site is not well marked;it is comprised of grassy and sandypatches leading to the water.

21. Belvidere Avenue

Located on the upper Palmer River,this town right-of-way has a niceview of the quiet river and its wet-lands.• Wildlife observation

22. East Bay BicyclePath—Barrington Leg

The path is ideal for walking, biking,and rollerblading. The bridges overthe Barrington and Palmer rivers aregreat locations for skipjack fishing.Motorized vehicles are prohibited onthe bike path. Parking is available atvarious locations along the path.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, concessions, wildlifeobservation, trash receptacles

23. East Bay BicyclePath—Warren Leg

This state-owned bike path on the oldrailroad grade offers scenic views ofseveral coastal water bodies: PalmerRiver, Belcher Cove, Warren River,and upper Narragansett Bay. Thebest places to park your car are atColt State Park in Bristol, Haines Parkin Barrington, and the Franklin Streetpark-and-ride in Warren. The path isnot limited to bikers; it is also enjoyedby walkers, joggers, and roll-erbladers. Motorized vehicles areprohibited.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, concessions, wildlife ob-servation, fishing, trash receptacles

24. Brown StreetExtension

Brown Street Extension curvesaround a municipal pumping stationand ends at a wetland with a smallpath along the southwestern shore ofBelcher Cove. Although it has nofacilities, this public right-of-way is anice spot for bird watching or takinga rest from bicycling along the bikepath.

25. Wheaton Street BoatRamp

This town boat ramp is located at theend of Wheaton Street on the War-ren River. The ramp is flanked by afish company on one side and theWarren Sewage Treatment Plant onthe other. The boat ramp is in faircondition and is a bit steep. Parkingis limited. There is a small dock forquahog boats.

26. Warren Town Beach

On the Warren River, north of Burr’sHill Park, is a 2.3-acre town beach.The shoreline has a sandy beach witha seawall and a grassy area with asmall playground. A lifeguard is onduty in the summer. No dogs, bi-cycles, or fires are allowed on thebeach. Parking is restricted to townresidents during the summer. Fee.• Picnic tables/benches, toilets, trashreceptacles

27. Burr’s Hill Park

Located south of Warren TownBeach, this 7.6-acre park offers base-ball, basketball, tennis, and a niceview of the water from the parking lotor from several paths that run throughthe park. The park is close to the EastBay Bicycle Path. Parking is re-stricted to town residents during thesummer.• Picnic tables/benches, historicinterest, toilets, trash receptacles

Walker Farm

Osamequin Nature Trails

Knockum Hill Reserve

Wamsetta Avenue

Juniper Street

Warren Town Beach

Wheaton Street Boat Ramp

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28. Maple Street

A shoreline access sign marks thistown right-of-way on the WarrenRiver. There is a grassy area under atree and a small seawall that makethis a pleasant place to stop while onthe adjacent East Bay Bicycle Path.• CRMC ROW#: R-1• Boat ramp

29. Harris Avenue

Located on the Kickemuit River, thisright-of-way ends in a small marshyand sandy area. This area gets mostlylocal use.• CRMC ROW#: R-4

30. Clark Road

This town right-of-way ends in amudflat on the Kickemuit River. Thearea is suitable for hand-launchedboats.

31. Patterson Avenue

This right-of-way has a small pathleading around a wetland on theKickemuit River. This is a good spotfor bird watching. No parking is avail-able.• CRMC ROW#: R-3

32. Parker Avenue

Parker Avenue ends in a very over-grown dirt path that juts out into theKickemuit River. This is a good placefor bird watching.• CRMC ROW#: R-2

33. Barker Avenue

At the end of Barker Avenue, a 50-yard gravel path leads to the rem-nants of stone columns on both sidesof the Kickemuit River. This is a goodplace for fishing.• Wildlife observation

34. Road to TownLanding

At the end of Maple Road, it seemsthat the road has become a privatedrive, but don’t be fooled. This roadend provides a peaceful place to sitand look out across the Bay. Vehicletraffic should be kept to a minimum.• CRMC ROW#: R-10

35. Shore Drive

There are four rights-of-way onShore Drive, one of which is markedwith a faded access sign.• CRMC ROW#: R-6 to R-9

36. Touisset MarshWildlife Refuge

This 66-acre refuge, owned by ASRI,fronts on the Kickemuit River andChace Cove and offers splendidviews of both. In addition to the wa-ter, the refuge includes open fieldsand forested areas, thereby provid-ing diverse habitats that attractnumerous birds and other forms ofwildlife. A network of trails runsthrough the property. Parking is avail-able behind the Touisset Fire Stationoff Touisset Road.

Barker Avenue

Harris Avenue

Road to Town Landing

Maple Street

Brown Street Extension

Shore Drive

Burr’s Hill Park

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Osprey

The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a large, majestic bird of prey, with a 3-foot wing-span, dark brown back, white or slightly mottled underparts, and a white head with adark eye stripe.

The time to see ospreys in Rhode Island is April through August—the birds usesouthern New England as their breeding grounds. Large concentrations of nestingospreys can be found at the Great Swamp Management Area, South Kingstown, and atNapatree Point in Westerly. Migrants continue to be seen in the area into fall.

Feeding

Ospreys feed almost exclusively on live fish. Their feet have short, sharp spines thatcover the foot pads and toes for holding their prey, and the talons are long and razorsharp. The legs are long and without feathers, allowing the birds to extend their reachunder water. When hunting, ospreys usually hover over the water until they spot theirprey, then plunge, feet first, into the water to grab it.

Breeding and Nesting

Ospreys are monogamous and often return to the same nest site year after year. Thebirds can be seen nesting in trees, on telephone poles, on channel markers, or onspecially constructed platforms. Once they arrive at the breeding grounds, males searchfor a suitable nest site and begin to perform their courtship aerial display above the nestsite—often called the “fish-flight” or “sky dance”—to attract a mate. Once a pair hassettled at a nest site, the female gives begging calls to her mate to bring food. During“courtship feeding,” females are fed almost exclusively by their mates, doing almost nohunting on their own.

Both male and female share incubation duties, although the male continues to bringfood to his mate, and later to the brood. By 30 days old, the young have attained 70 to 80percent of their adult weight.

Threats

Osprey populations were decimated between 1950 and 1975 due to the effects of thepesticide DDT, which made its way up through the food chain to the birds, often thinningeggshells and poisoning or killing some embryos, so that few eggs hatched. During thatperiod, 90 percent of ospreys nesting between Boston and New York City disappeared. Aban on DDT in 1972, combined with construction of special platforms to provide therecovering population with nesting sites, has resulted in a remarkable comeback. Theplatforms helped the birds to overcome two hindrances to survival—a decrease innatural nesting sites due to development, and an increase in nest predators, in particu-lar, the raccoon. Nesting distribution is now roughly similar to that seen historically.Osprey may be seen nesting on platforms at the Osamequin Bird Sanctuary inBarrington, and in other wildlife refuges throughout the state.

—This article first appeared in A Guide to Rhode Island’s Natural Places, produced byRhode Island Sea Grant.

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In 1785, the town of Bristol hosted its first annual 4th of July parade, beginning what has becomethe longest-running unbroken series of Independence Day observances in the country. Bristol hasseveral Federal-period homes in its historic downtown section of the parade route, rendering it anideal place for the parade. Each celebration is planned a year in advance by a committee of volun-teers. The parade on July 4th is actually the pinnacle of a five-week schedule of concerts, receptions,dances, athletic events, and exhibits.

Bristol

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1. Mill Pond Inlet

Located off the south side ofPoppasquash Road, at the inlet to MillPond on Bristol Harbor, this site is asmall pull-off parking area. There isa nice view of the upper end of theharbor, Mill Pond, and the East BayBicycle Path. The site is marked witha faded public coastal access sign.Very limited roadside parking is avail-able.• CRMC ROW#: S-19• Hiking/walking, wildlife observation

2. Independence Park

This is a grassy town park on theshores of Bristol Harbor, off ThamesStreet, between the extensions ofFranklin and Oliver streets. There isa wide concrete road parallel to theshoreline, with room for parking. Theshoreline has a rock wall used forfishing and a wide cement slab boatramp. Adjacent to the beach there isparking for vehicles with trailers. Atown naval war monument is locatedon the lawn. This park marks thesouthern end of the East Bay BicyclePath.• Picnic tables/benches, hiking/walking, trash receptacles

3. State Street Pier andBoat Launch

This pier is located off the end ofState Street next to the Bristol townboat launch ramp. The single-widthramp provides access to the harborvia a narrow channel between twopiers. There is plenty of parking fortrailers near the ramp and on theState Street Pier, but parking is lim-ited to town residents with stickers.Parking for vehicles without trailersis available on the street. There is apublic coastal access sign at theright-of-way.• CRMC ROW#: S-20• Fishing, trash receptacles

Bristol 4. Rockwell Park

Located just north of the PrudenceIsland ferry dock on the Bristol Har-bor waterfront, this area has beenredeveloped as a waterfront parkwith benches, brick walkways, asmall playground, and a wooden “T”dock extending into the water. Thisis a nice place to sit or walk out onthe dock for a view of the harbor andboats. Two-hour parking is availablealong Thames Street.• Trash receptacles

5. Prudence Island Ferry

The passenger and vehicle ferry toPrudence Island leaves from theChurch Street Wharf, off ThamesStreet. The ferry dock is located nextto Rockwell Park, just north of the endof Church Street. Parking adjacent tothe ferry dock is restricted to seasonticket holders, but there is a parkinglot down the street for those takingthe ferry, and there is two-hour park-ing available on Thames Street.

6. Firefighters’ MemorialPark

Next to a rug factory and the Pru-dence Island Ferry, this grassy townpark offers a view of the urbanwaterfront of Bristol Harbor and sev-eral benches to rest on. No swimmingor fishing is allowed from the pier nextto the Prudence Island ferry dock.Two-hour parking is available on thestreet.

7. Constitution Street

An extension of Constitution Street,past Thames Street in downtownBristol, this right-of-way providesaccess to a small beach via a rampthrough the seawall at the end of theroad. It is located between the CoastGuard station on the south and a car-pet factory and Elks Lodge on thenorth. Two-hour parking is availableon Thames Street.• CRMC ROW#: S-4

8. Union Street

Located at the end of Union Street,off Hope Street (Route 114), this is a40-foot-wide right-of-way with agrassy area and benches. It leadsdown to a seawall and a ramp walk-way to a sand and gravel beach. Thissite is ideal for wading and for view-ing the harbor and boats.• CRMC ROW#: S-5• Trash receptacles

9. Walley Street

Located at the extension of WalleyStreet, off Hope Street (Route 114),this site is a 30-yard-wide lawn slop-ing down to a set of steps that leadsto a cobble shoreline of Bristol Har-bor. The grassy area is good for sun-bathing, picnicking, or viewing theharbor and boats. There is a publiccoastal access sign at the right-of-way.• CRMC ROW#: S-6• Trash receptacles

10. ASRI EnvironmentalEducation Center

The centerpiece of ASRI’s educa-tional endeavors, located on the 28-acre Claire McIntosh Wildlife Refuge,this site includes an exhibit hall, anauditorium, classrooms, a gift shop,walking paths, and a quarter-mile-long boardwalk that enables visitorsto visit a freshwater marsh, a brack-ish marsh, and a salt marsh. At theboardwalk’s terminus is a spectacu-lar view of Narragansett Bay. Thereis an admission fee for entering theexhibit hall but no other fees for walk-ing the trails or boardwalk. Parkingis available near the exhibit hall at1401 Hope Street (Route 114).

Public Park

Path to Shore

Boating


Wildlife Refuge

Scenic View

Fishing

Ferry

Historic

Key to Primary Uses

Rockwell Park

Firefighters’ Memorial Park

Independence ParkState Street Pierand Boat Launch

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11. East Bay BicyclePath—Bristol Leg

The southern end of this bike path inBristol is at Independence Park. Thepath is a scenic, paved path follow-ing the old railroad bed. From thepark, it runs along Narragansett Bay,passes just inland of Mill Pond, nearColt State Park, and winds northalong the Bay into Warren. The pathextends 14.5 miles from Bristol toProvidence. Parking for the bike pathin Bristol is at Independence Parkand off Asylum Road (entrance roadto Colt State Park). In addition to bi-cycling, the path offers opportunitiesfor walking, scenic views of theshoreline, and bird watching. Motorvehicles are prohibited on the path.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, concessions, fishing,toilets, trash receptacles

12. Beach Road

Located at the end of Beach Road, offHope Street (Route 114), this site is anarrow, paved right-of-way leading toa guardrail and two benches over-looking upper Narragansett Bay.Parking is limited on the narrowstreets.• CRMC ROW#: S-1• Wildlife observation

13. Fales Road

An extension of the west end of FalesRoad, off Hope Street (Route 114), thisright-of-way is a concrete ramp lead-ing down to a cobble beach onNarragansett Bay. Not suitable as atrailered boat launch, it offers a niceview of the Bay and is popular forshellfishing.• CRMC ROW#: S-3

14. Bristol Town Beach

Located off Asylum Road, adjacent toColt State Park, this town facility fea-tures a sandy, gravelly beach frontingupper Narragansett Bay. There is anice grassy area behind the beach,plenty of picnic tables/benches, aplayground, and basketball, tennis,and softball facilities. A well-main-tained skateboard park is available tothose with experience. Lifeguardsare on duty during the summer. Plenty

of on-site parking is available. Thereis an admission fee during the sum-mer.• Concessions, toilets, trash recep-tacles

15. Colt State Park

Located off Route 114 and fronting theupper part of Narragansett Bay andMill Gut Pond and Salt Marsh, this isa large state park with expansivelawns gently sloping down towardthe Bay. A two-mile promenade alongthe park’s seawall is popular withstrollers and joggers. From the prom-enade and other vantage points, ColtState Park offers sweeping views ofthe Bay, of Prudence Island to thewest, and of Mill Gut Salt Marsh tothe east. There is a loop road withnumerous pull-offs and picnic areasas well as plenty of room for a widevariety of recreational activities.Ample parking is available.• Handicap access, boat ramp,dock, picnic tables/benches,concessions, swimming, fishing,historic interest, wildlife observa-tion, toilets, trash receptacles

16. Coggeshall FarmMuseum

Located on Colt Drive, betweenPoppasquash Road and the Colt StatePark loop road, this area is leasedfrom the park and run as a nonprofitorganization. It is a working 18th -cen-tury farm—a restoration projectcentered around an 18th-centuryfarmhouse and barnyard complex,complete with livestock and a black-smith shop. The museum offers nodirect access to the water, but thereis a nice view across Mill Gut Pond tothe old stone bridge at the entranceto Narragansett Bay. Open daily 10a.m. to 6 p.m.; no admission fee, butreservations are necessary for grouptours. Limited parking is available.• Hiking/walking, trash receptacles

17. Low Lane

At the end of Low Lane, off Ferry Road(Route 114), is a 150-foot-long over-grown dirt path leading down to acobble beach and a small break-water on upper East Passage. Thissite offers a nice view of the New-port Bridge, Hog Island, and passingboats. It is possible to walk a shortdistance down the beach in eitherdirection. “No Parking” signs areposted on both sides of the street.• CRMC ROW#: S-18

18. Ferry Road

Situated between the Mount HopeBridge and Roger Williams University,this paved road leads to a cobblebeach on Mount Hope Bay. “No Park-ing” signs are posted. This is a goodplace to launch a boat.• Fishing

19. Mount Hope Farm

Mount Hope Farm, on Metacom Av-enue, consists of 127 acres of fields,woods, lawns, and ponds, with ap-proximately 1,500 feet of waterfronton Church Cove. The property in-cludes stone walls, terraces, flowers,vegetable gardens, and indigenoustrees, along with several historicbuildings. Hours of operation vary byseason and are posted at the en-trance. Public access and parkingare available south of the main en-trance, on South Pasture Road. Toaccommodate handicapped individu-als who are unable to walk aroundthe farm, the Mount Hope Trust willoccasionally open the farm to vehicletraffic only. Handicapped stickers arerequired. Such openings will beposted at the farm and announced inthe newspaper. Fishing, shellfishing,and swimming are prohibited. Groupoutings must be scheduled in ad-vance.• Picnicking, wildlife observation

Coggeshall Farm Museum

East Bay Bicycle Path

Colt State Park

Bristol Town Beach

Beach Road

Walley Street

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20. Mount Hope FishingAccess

Located off Annawamscutt Drive, thisaccess has a single-width concreteboat ramp into shallow water, with abreakwater fronting Mount HopeBay. Adjacent to the boat ramp is acobble beach and a fringing marsh.One can walk along the shoreline ineither direction for fishing or for aview of Mount Hope Bay and FallRiver. There is parking for about 10vehicles with trailers or about 20 ve-hicles without trailers, with possibleadditional parking along the entranceroad.• Wildlife observation

21. Annawamscutt Drive

Located at the east end ofAnnawamscutt Drive, off MetacomAvenue (Route 136), this site is a wide,paved right-of-way. Those who makethe descent down a short stairwaywill find a cobble beach with a sce-nic view of Mount Hope Bay and FallRiver. It is also possible to walk theshoreline to the south and connectwith the Mount Hope Fishing Access.• CRMC ROW#: S-17

22. King Philip Avenue

Located off King Philip Avenue, be-tween Leahy and Annawamscuttdrives, a paved drive amongst treesleads to a wide, grassy right-of-wayleading about 40 yards down to acobble beach with a view of MountHope Bay and Fall River. Don’t befooled by “No Trespassing” signs;this is public access.• CRMC ROW#: S-28

23. Sunrise Drive

This site is a paved extension of Sun-rise Drive leading to a rocky step-down and to a rocky beach with anice view of Mount Hope Bay, theBristol Narrows, and Fall River. Thereis a coastal access sign at the right-of-way.• CRMC ROW#: S-16

24. Platt Street (NarrowsCoastal Access)

This site is off King Philip Avenue nearthe junction with Platt Street. A setof concrete stairs and a path leaddown to a grassy area with benchesand a nice view of Mount Hope Bay,Bristol Narrows, and Fall River. A setof stairs leads from here to the cobblebeach below. It is well marked with alarge sign.• CRMC ROW#: S-27• Trash receptacles

25. Narrows Road

At the end of Narrows Road, at Pole42, a tricky path down some rocksleads to a cobble beach on MountHope Bay. A road on the left leads tothe Narrows Fishing Area.• CRMC ROW#: S-15

26. Narrows Fishing Area

This long, sandy peninsula is a greatplace to launch shallow-hulled boatsor to cast a line. Shellfishing is pro-hibited.• CRMC ROW#: S-26• Trash receptacles

27. Kickemuit Avenue

This is a paved right-of-way at theextension of Kickemuit Avenue, lead-ing to a narrow dirt path through thereeds and down the rocks to a marshshoreline of the Kickemuit River. Acoastal access sign is located at theright-of-way.• CRMC ROW#: S-14• Wildlife observation

28. Smith Street

Located at the extension of SmithStreet, off Kickemuit Avenue, thisscenic right-of-way is a paved exten-sion leading to the remnants of a run-down concrete boat ramp, to a gravelpath, and on through a fringing marshon the Bristol Narrows section of theKickemuit River. There is a coastalaccess sign located at the right-of-way.• CRMC ROW#: S-13

29. Sherman Avenue

This site is a paved extension ofSherman Avenue with a concreteboat ramp to a dirt beach on theKickemuit River. Small boats can belaunched here. There is a coastalaccess sign at the right-of-way.• CRMC ROW#: S-12• Wildlife observation

30. San Miguel Drive

A paved extension of San MiguelDrive ends at a gentle dirt ramp anda fringing marsh on the KickemuitRiver. Boats could possibly be handlaunched here, but it would be a bittricky. There is no parking in the right-of-way. A coastal access sign marksthe site.• CRMC ROW#: S-11• Wildlife observation

31. Fatima Drive

This is a narrow right-of-way at theeast end of Fatima Drive, off EverettStreet. It leads between two fencesto a seawall above a fringing saltmarsh on the Kickemuit River. Noparking is permitted in the right-of-way.• CRMC ROW#: S-10• Fishing

32. Franca Drive

Located at the extension of FrancaDrive, off Hawthorne Street, this is apaved right-of-way located in a resi-dential area between two houses,leading to a steep concrete ramp tothe Kickemuit River. It is possible tolaunch boats here, but it would betricky, and there is no trailer parking.There is a coastal access sign at theright-of-way.• CRMC ROW#: S-9

33. North Street

A narrow extension of North Streetoff Slocum Road, this right-of-way isa dirt road leading about 30 yards tothe shoreline of the Kickemuit River.There is a nice view of the river andboats, and the spot could be used forlaunching small boats. However,there is no on-site parking available.A coastal access sign marks the site.• CRMC ROW#: S-7• Wildlife observation Sunrise Drive

Mount Hope Fishing Access

Platt Street

Narrows Fishing Area

Sherman Avenue

Fatima Drive

San Miguel Drive

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In the early 20th century,oysters dominated

commercial shellfishing inNarragansett Bay. But the

oyster population graduallydeclined after the 1920s, and,at the same time, the quahog

fishery expanded. Here,handrakers display a bullrake

used to harvest quahogs,which became such aneconomically important

resource that, in 1987, thehumble quahog was elevated

to the status of Rhode Island’sofficial state shell.

age can be determined by countingthe growth rings on its shell. Asquahogs get older, they grow moreslowly, so the growth rings get veryclose together and difficult to countaccurately. Researchers estimatethat the largest ones (4 inches ormore in length) are as much as 40years old.

Quahogs—like soft-shell clams,oysters, scallops, and mussels—are classified as bivalve mollusksbecause they have hinged shellsmade up of two halves, or “valves.”Bivalves obtain their food by filterfeeding. Water is taken in through asiphon and passed over the gills,which are specially adapted to filterout food (microscopic algae andother small organic particles). Thefiltered water is then expelled viaanother siphon. A large clam canfilter about a gallon of water in onehour.

Quahogs prefer salinities be-tween 18 and 26 parts per thousand.This is less salty than the open

ocean (salinity about 35 parts perthousand), so quahogs are oftenfound in estuaries (such asNarragansett Bay) where the mix-ing of fresh and salt water providesideal conditions.

Although quahogs can be foundalong the North American Atlanticcoast from Canada’s Gulf of SaintLawrence to Florida, they are par-ticularly abundant between CapeCod and New Jersey. Farther north,most waters are too cold for qua-hogs, restricting them to just a fewrelatively warm coves; while to thesouth, quahogs have more preda-tors, such as blue crabs.

Pollution in Narragansett Bayaffects the quahog industry be-cause the filter-feeding processconcentrates not only food particlesbut also many pollutants—includingdisease-causing bacteria andviruses and toxic compounds. Thus,even pollutants that are presentonly in low levels in the water canaccumulate to dangerous levels infilter feeders. RIDEM maintains alist of shellfish areas closed topollution. It is available at:www.state.ri.us/dem/. For moreinformation about shellfishing regu-lations, see page 7.

—By Eleanor Ely,Rhode Island Sea Grant

The Quahog

The shellfish that Rhode Islanderscall a quahog possesses an impres-sive variety of names, and even theword “quahog” (which comes fromthe Narragansett Indian name“poquauhock”) has an alternatespelling, “quahaug,” and a numberof pronunciations: KO-hog, KWO-hog, and KWA-hog. The quahog’sscientific name, Mercenariamercenaria, is derived from a Latinword meaning “wages” and waschosen because Indians used qua-hog shells to make beads that wereused as money (called wampum). Inmuch of the United States, quahogsare simply called “hard clams” or“hard-shell clams.”

Still other names are based on aquahog’s size. Little necks (or“necks”) are the smallest legal size,measuring 1-inch thick at the larg-est thickness; chowders are thelargest size; and cherrystones are inbetween.

In Rhode Island, quahogs grow tolegal size in three to four years ifconditions are good. A quahog’s

65

In early August of 1778, American forces attacked the 7,000 British, Hessian, and Provincialtroops occupying the town of Newport. By the end of the month, with militia enlistments expiringand British reinforcements on the way from New York, the American commanders decided to aban-don the siege lines and the island. At dawn on August 29, the British discovered the American lineswere abandoned and troops had retreated to Portsmouth. Hoping to catch the 10,000 Continental andState troops, British General Pigot ordered British forces to advance from their defensive line atNewport.

Pigot ordered reinforcements from Newport to attack the American troops. However, the Britishforces were outnumbered and despite three attacks, they were unable to take control of the troops inPortsmouth. Americans retreated off the island unmolested, with the last troops departing just hoursbefore thousands of British reinforcements arrived by ship into Newport Harbor.

Portsmouth

The Indian territory now occupied by Tiverton and neighboring Little Compton was known asPocasset. Tiverton was named after Tiverton, England, and was incorporated by Massachusetts in1694. One of five towns received from Massachusetts by royal decree, Tiverton was given to RhodeIsland on January 27, 1746, in the resolution of a border dispute.

Tiverton

The Narragansett Bay National Estuarine ResearchReserve (NBNERR) is one of 25 reserves in the NationalEstuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS). The NERRSwas established by the National Oceanic and Atmo-spheric Administration in recognition of the Coastal ZoneManagement Act of 1972. NBNERR was established in1980, making it the first reserve to be designated in NewEngland. The reserve protects a total of 2,533 acres ofland on Prudence, Patience, Hope, and Dyer islands and1,843 acres of water adjacent to these properties.Nationally, the NERRS protects approximately 1 millionacres of estuarine waters and upland habitats.

Located in the middle of Narragansett Bay and a shortferry ride from Bristol, Prudence Island offers ampleopportunities to study coastal and upland habitats. One ofthe most interesting and rare habitats on the reserve isthe pine barrens at the south end of the island. Althoughthe area has a relatively low amount of biodiversity, therarity of the species living in this area makes it aninteresting place to visit. Within the pine barrens you willfind pitch pine forests, semi-barren areas, and drymeadows. The soil found in this habitat is calledPoquonock soil. This is an extremely dry, well-drained soil

that makes up only 0.4 percent of Rhode Island’s landmass. As an example of the importance of this habitat, thepitch pine forest on Prudence is the only known nestingsite for pine warblers on any of the islands inNarragansett Bay. The semi-barren areas are almostdune-like in appearance and support five of the sevenspecies of tiger beetles found in Rhode Island, includingthe threatened Cicindela tranquebarica. A number ofother sand-loving invertebrates live in this area as doesthe rare sickle-leaved golden aster, Chrysopsis falcata.The dry meadows have a number of uncommon flowersand grasses growing in them that in turn support an arrayof insects, including the pink-streak moth, Farontarubripennis. This globally rare moth has never been foundat any other location in Rhode Island.

If you are interested in visiting this unique habitat,NBNERR offers tours of the reserve throughout the year,and the Learning Center is open from June to September.For more information on Prudence Island and reserveprograms, please call (401) 683-6780. See also page 68.

—By Kim Botelho, Education Coordinator,NBNERR

Narragansett Bay NationalEstuarine Research Reserve

NBNERR North NBNERR South

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Portsmouth and Tiverton continue on page 70.

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Portsmouth & Tiverton

P1. Mount Hope ViewRoad

This site is located in the CommonFence Point area at Pole 56S, at thenorthernmost end of Anthony Road.The path starts between a picketfence and a fire hydrant. The trailwinds through the brush about 500feet to a rocky point surrounded by acobble beach and intertidal areas.The point affords an excellent viewof Mount Hope Bay, the surroundingcoastal areas, and the Mount HopeBridge, and it is a nice spot for walk-ing and bird watching. This area isclosed to shellfishing. A faded accesssign is present. No parking is avail-able.• CRMC ROW#: V-1• Picnicking, fishing, trash recep-tacles

P2. Narragansett Road

Located in the Common Fence Pointarea at Pole 40, this site is a right-of-way at a bend in the road near thenorthern end of Narragansett Road.A 30-foot dirt path leads to a sandycobble beach that is well suited for asummer picnic. No parking is available.• CRMC ROW#: V-3• Wildlife observation

P3. Anthony Road

A 50-foot-wide grassy right-of-way atPole 39 offers a shady place to stopand enjoy beautiful views of MountHope Bay and the Mount HopeBridge. An opening in the rail fenceindicates the right-of-way. No park-ing is available.• CRMC ROW#: V-2• Picnicking

P4. Gull Cove State BoatRamp

Located off Route 24/138 North, justbefore the Hummocks Road andCommon Fence Point exits, this stateproperty is on a peninsula situated inthe cove off the Sakonnet River. Thefacility has a single-width concreteslab boat ramp in fair condition and

an extensive gravel parking area.There are other possible launchingspots along the cobble shoreline ofthe peninsula. This well-protectedcove offers boaters easy access toboth the Sakonnet River and MountHope Bay. The area is also popularwith quahoggers and bird watchersbut is unsafe for swimming.• Picnicking, fishing, hiking/walking,trash receptacles

P5. Cedar Avenue

Located in Island Park at Pole 6, thisright-of-way consists of a narrowpath that extends northeast from theintersection of Cedar Avenue andBeach Street to a cobble area bor-dering the cove. A public access signis present.• CRMC ROW#: V-4• Wildlife observation, hiking/ walking

P6. Green Street

Located in Island Park, just off theCoral Street intersection, this verynarrow right-of-way runs off GreenStreet to a grass path leading to a setof concrete steps to a salt marsh andtidal flat area at the south end of BlueBill Cove. This site is marked by a blueshoreline access sign.• CRMC ROW#: V-6

P7. Stone Bridge Ramp

This state-owned boat ramp islocated on the Sakonnet River nextto Stonebridge Marina on Point Road.This ramp provides access to upperSakonnet River. Suitable for boats upto 20 feet at half-tide and above. Park-ing is available.

P8. Teddy’s Beach

Located at the end of Park Avenue onPoint Road, just south of the OldStone Bridge, this state-managedarea has a small crescent of sandybeach with a sloping grassy area be-hind it. It is a nice spot for swimming,sunbathing, picnicking, and viewingthe river and the Gould Island Refuge.No lifeguards are present.• Picnic tables/benches, wildlifeobservation

P9. Ivy Avenue

This right-of-way is located in IslandPark at Pole 14, at the intersection ofIvy Avenue and Seaconnet Boule-vard. The right-of-way is a grassypath leading about 20 yards betweentwo houses to a small rocky bank onthe Sakonnet River. A shoreline ac-cess sign is present.• CRMC ROW#: V-7• Fishing

P10. Gould Avenue

This right-of-way is located in IslandPark at Pole 9, at the extension ofGould Avenue off Seaconnet Boule-vard. A steep, paved boat ramp pro-vides access to the Sakonnet River.The site is marked with a blue shore-line access sign.• CRMC ROW#: V-9• Fishing

P11. Island Park Avenue

This right-of-way, located at Pole 6at the intersection of Island ParkAvenue and Seaconnet Boulevard, isa grass strip leading to a stone wallbordering the Sakonnet River. Thereis a blue shoreline access sign.• CRMC ROW#: V-10• Fishing

P12. Fountain Avenue

A right-of-way located at Pole 3 in themiddle of Fountain Avenue, this siteis a grass strip leading about 20 yardsto a concrete wall extending south toa cobble beach bordering theSakonnet River. There is no parkingin the right-of-way. The site is markedwith a blue shoreline access sign.Just west down the street is a con-crete boat ramp with no availableparking.• CRMC ROW#: V-12• Fishing

Public Park

Path to Shore

Boating


Wildlife Refuge

Fishing

Key to Primary Uses

Gull Cove

Teddy’s Beach

Common Fence Point

Mount Hope View Road

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P13. Aquidneck Avenue

Located near Portsmouth Park, thissite is a right-of-way off AquidneckAvenue. This narrow right-of-way isa grass path leading to a set of smallconcrete steps between two housesand to a cobble shore of the SakonnetRiver. The site is marked with a blueshoreline access sign, and a cross-walk leads to the right-of-way.• CRMC ROW#: V-13• Fishing

P14. Tallman Avenue

Located near Portsmouth Park, at theintersection of Tallman and Atlanticavenues, this right-of-way is a pavedwalkway leading to a concrete rampand a set of concrete steps to a state-owned cobble beach on theSakonnet River. The site is markedwith a blue shoreline access sign.• CRMC ROW#: V-15• Picnic tables/benches, hiking/walking

P15. East Corys Lane

Located near Portsmouth Park, offEast Corys Lane at the junction withAtlantic Avenue, this right-of-way isa 20-yard grassy path leading to acobble shoreline bordering theSakonnet River. The site is markedwith a blue shoreline access sign.There is a view of the river from theroad.• CRMC ROW#: V-14

P16. Child Street

Located in Portsmouth Park, thisright-of-way is a paved road exten-sion leading to a cobble beach bor-dering the Sakonnet River. A publicaccess sign is present.• CRMC ROW#: V-16• Fishing

P17. Morningside Lane

Located near Portsmouth Park, at theend of Morningside Lane off WaterStreet, this right-of-way is a grassypath with concrete stairs leadingdown to a cobble beach on theSakonnet River. A shoreline accesssign is present.• CRMC ROW#: V-17

P18. Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

(NBNERR)

NBNERR includes approximately 60percent of Prudence Island as wellas Patience, Hope, and Dyer islands.NBNERR facilities are concentratedat the south end of Prudence Islandand include a learning center withexhibits on the flora, fauna, and his-tory of the island, a water qualitymonitoring lab, and an indoor class-room. Just down the road from theNBNERR learning center, you will findthe T-wharf, a popular fishing spotand seal haul-out location. There is afloating dock on the north side of theT-wharf and a dock at Potter’s Coveat the north end of the island that canbe used by boaters for loading andunloading only. Other access to thereserve is via the Prudence IslandFerry from Bristol. The NBNERRLearning Center is open June to Sep-tember and is about 3.5 miles from theferry landing. Due to a high popula-tion of deer ticks, camping is not al-lowed on any of the reserve proper-ties. Parking is available.• Picnic tables/benches, swimming,fishing, hiking/walking

P19. Sandy Beach

Located off the main road west of theturnoff to NBNERR North Parcel, thisis a beautiful, long, sand and cobblebeach on Narragansett Bay with apristine salt marsh behind the beach.This is a good spot for walking andbirding, with a view of the marsh, theBay, and Hope Island. Access via anunmarked, bumpy dirt road is difficult.• Swimming, picnicking

P20. NBNERR (North Parcel)

See P18 above for description.

Tiverton

T1. Riverside Marine

Riverside Marine is located on Riv-erside Drive. The ramp is busy onweekends and parking fills up quickly.Fee.• Dock, trash receptacles

T2. Sakonnet Bridge Access

Off Riverside Drive, under theSakonnet Bridge, is a hard-packedsand boat launch area. There is roomfor several vehicles with trailers topark across the street. Parking forvehicles without trailers is availableon the street. Riverside Marine boatlaunch is located just to the north. Nota scenic spot, but good access to theSakonnet River and Mount Hope Bay.• Fishing

T3. Grinnell’s Beach

Located off Main Road (Route 77), justsouth of the Stone Bridge Pier, thissmall crescent of beach has arestroom facility with showers andchanging rooms, a children’s playarea, and a lifeguard in the summerat a designated swimming area.There is a nice view of the SakonnetRiver and Gould Island. Parking isavailable for 50 cars, with a fee in thesummer.• Picnic tables/benches, fishing,hiking/walking, trash receptacles

T4. Nannaquaket Bridge

A bridge across the tidal inlet toNannaquaket Pond provides goodfishing access. There is a small park-ing area for 20 cars on the west endof the bridge. There are also steps tothe pond from an adjacent sidewalk.• CRMC ROW#: T-3• Hiking/walking, trash receptacles

NBNERR North Parcel

NBNERR South Parcel

Grinnell’s Beach

Sandy Beach

Nannaquaket Bridge

Sakonnet Bridge Access

East Corys Lane

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Construction of the Sakonnet Lighthouse at Sakonnet Point in Little Compton began in 1883. Aniron pier was placed on Little Cormorant Rock, about 800 yards offshore, and then filled with con-crete. The lighthouse was completed in October 1884 and served as Rhode Island’s easternmostbeacon.

The Hurricane of ’38 destroyed many houses and took 13 lives at Sakonnet Point. The lighthousesurvived but was left with a large crack in its base. After Hurricane Carol in 1954 caused additionaldamage, the U.S. Coast Guard decided to decommission and abandon the lighthouse. In 1985 thestructure was donated to The Friends of Sakonnet Point Lighthouse, Inc., who raised $100,000 for itsrestoration.

On March 22, 1997, Sakonnet Point Light was relit after 43 years, flashing a red signal that isvisible for seven nautical miles. Although Sakonnet Point Light can be seen from the shore of LittleCompton, a boat is needed for a closer look.

Little Compton

Middletown, between Newport and Portsmouth, got its name from being in the middle of theisland of Rhode Island (Aquidneck), which was one of the earliest colonial settlement sites in RhodeIsland. Middletown was originally an agrarian community. Because of this, there are few native treesnow growing in the township, the original forests having been cleared for farms. As a result of apetition to the General Assembly requesting political independence from Newport, Middletown wasset off as a separate town and incorporated in 1743. Today the town hosts a wealth of commercial andretail activity.

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Tiverton

T5. Two Rod Way

This right-of-way at the end of TwoRod Way, off Seapowet Road, offersa great view of the Sakonnet River. Italso provides access to the coastaltrails of the Emily Ruecker WildlifeRefuge. The extension of this road isa good place to hand-launch a boatinto a protected cove.• CRMC ROW#: T-6• Fishing

T6. Emily Ruecker Wildlife Refuge

This 50.5-acre refuge owned by ASRIencompasses freshwater, brackish,and marine habitats as well aswooded uplands and fields. A net-work of trails runs through the refugeand follows the shores of theSakonnet River. This is an ideal spotfor walking and bird watching yearround. There are trail maps availableat the entrance at the parking areaand trailhead, located off SeapowetRoad.

T7. Seapowet Marsh and Point Fishing Area

Located off Seapowet Avenue, thisrefuge area includes a variety ofcoastal habitats. There is a parkingarea along a cobble beach north ofthe bridge over the Seapowet Riverand walking or driving access toSeapowet Point. There is a marsh onthe point, popular for shellfishing. Thebeach is a good spot for walking, fish-ing, bird watching, or enjoying theview of the river. There is also a smallgravel boat ramp south of the bridgethat provides access to an extensivesalt marsh and tidal creek area.• Historic interest

T8. Fogland Road

A right-of-way located at the end ofFogland Road, at the junction withHigh Hill Avenue, leads to a concreteboat ramp on the Sakonnet River.There is a view of the Sakonnet Riverand Fogland Beach from here. Park-ing is available at nearby FoglandBeach.• CRMC ROW#: T-4• Fishing

P21. Melville Campground Recreational Area

Located off Sullivan Road, a right turnoff Stringham Road, one-half milefrom Route 114, this town facility hassites for 57 tents and 59 trailers andis open April through October. Thereis access to the shoreline of Narr-agansett Bay via a bumpy dirt road.Although overgrown, the shorelineprovides opportunities for walkingand viewing the East Passage of theBay. On-site parking is available. Fee.• Picnic tables/benches, swimming,toilets, trash receptacles

P22. Weaver Cove Boat Ramp

Located off Burma Road, one milesouth of Stringham Road, this con-crete public boat ramp offers plentyof vehicle and trailer parking. A dockwith handicap access is also avail-able for use.• Fishing, hiking/walking, trashreceptacles

P23. Sandy Point Beach

Located at the end of Sandy PointAvenue, off Route 138, this is a wide,sandy beach about one-half milelong, forming a point in the SakonnetRiver. The beach has a dirt parkinglot and a small bathhouse withrestrooms. This is a well-protectedbeach for swimming and a nice placefor walking along the shore. There isa parking fee for nonresidents.• Picnic tables/benches, fishing, wild-life observation, trash receptacles

P24. McCorrie Lane Fishing Area

At the end of McCorrie Lane, a large,sandy parking area offers access toan extensive cobble beach perfect forswimming, fishing, or hand-launchinga boat. No parking is available.• Trash receptacles

Portsmouth T9. Fogland Beach

Fogland Beach provides an excellentwindsurfing area and a beautiful viewof the Sakonnet River and the Ports-mouth shoreline. The cove area to thenorth of the beach is convenient fornature study. Amenities includechanging rooms, showers, and achildren’s playground. Parking isavailable for a fee in the summer.• Picnic tables/benches, fishing,hiking/walking, toilets, trashreceptacles

Little Compton

LC1. Town Way

At the western end of Town Way, offWest Main and Old Main roads, thereis room for about 10 cars to park anda short path down to a cobble beachon the Sakonnet River. At low tide, itis possible to walk along the cobblebeach to the mouth of Almy’s Creek,and from there, partway intoDonovan’s Marsh, a well-preservedtidal creek and unditched salt marsh.From the beach, there is a nice viewof the Sakonnet River and SachuestPoint. A sign is posted indicating thatthis is not a public swimming beachand there are no lifeguards.• CRMC ROW#: W-2• Wildlife observation, trash recep-tacles

LC2. Taylor’s Lane

This site is a right-of-way at the endof Taylor’s Lane, off West Main Road.At the end of this road there is park-ing for about 10 cars and a dirt pathabout 10 yards long leading down toa small sand and cobble beach on theChurch Bay portion of the SakonnetRiver. It is possible to walk out toChurch Point by scrambling alongboulders at the tide line. There is anice view of the mouth of theSakonnet River, Sachuest Point, andthe Atlantic Ocean.• CRMC ROW#: W-1• Trash receptacles

Public Park

Path to Shore

Boating


Wildlife Refuge

Scenic View

Fishing

Key to Primary Uses

Seapowet Marsh

Two Rod Way

Emily Ruecker Wildlife Refuge

Melville Campground

McCorrie Lane Fishing Area

Fogland Beach

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LC3. Sakonnet Harbor

At the end of Bluffhead Road, offSakonnet Point Road, at the mouth ofthe Sakonnet River, there is a break-water that forms the entrance toSakonnet Harbor. The breakwater isgood for walking, fishing, watchingfishing boats, or just checking out theview across the river, into the harbor,or out to sea. There is no public ramphere, only private docks. On-siteparking is available.• Trash receptacles

LC4. Sakonnet Harbor Fishing Access

Located off Sakonnet Point Road atthe southern end of Route 77, this sitehas two cement plank ramps acrossa beach into Sakonnet Harbor and asheltered basin with access to theSakonnet River and the AtlanticOcean. There is a parking area fortrailers across the road and a niceview of the Haffenreffer Wildlife Ref-uge. Parking is limited to 48 hours.• CRMC ROW#: W-3

LC5. South Shore Beach

Located at the end of South ShoreRoad, this is a long, sandy beach onthe Atlantic Ocean, with a large dirtparking lot, portable toilets, and life-guards. There is a parking fee fornonresidents during the summer;weekly and seasonal passes areavailable. There is a beautiful view ofthe Atlantic with Cuttyhunk and theElizabeth Islands in the distance, apicturesque salt pond (Tunipus Pond),and a farm located behind the park-ing lot. One can walk east along thebeach across a shallow tidal creekto Goosewing Beach, a wildlife ref-uge, which is now owned by TheNature Conservancy. There are somerestrictions here to protect nestingpiping plovers. Parking for fishing isavailable in the evening and off-sea-son.• Trash receptacles

M1. Atlantic Beach

Located on Aquidneck Avenue justwest of the junction with PurgatoryRoad, this site provides access to theeastern end of Atlantic Beach withshort-term parking for Middletownresidents. This site has a sandybeach fronting Easton Bay (AtlanticOcean) with good surf and a niceview of the Cliff Walk and the man-sions across the bay. There is a smallgrassy field, Dunlap-Wheeler Park,with a few benches near the parkingarea. Large public parking lots andconcessions are a quarter-mile to thewest at Easton’s (First) Beach in New-port. Board sailing and surfboardrentals are located nearby.• CRMC ROW#: Y-9• Fishing, hiking/walking, trash recep-tacles

M2. Northwest End of Esplanade Shore Drive

This public right-of-way, located justat the bend in the road, offers a shortpath down a concrete stairway ontoEaston’s Beach.• CRMC ROW#: Y-8 (on appeal)• Swimming, fishing, trash receptacles

M3. Tuckerman Avenue (opposite Wolcott Avenue)

This right-of-way is a very tricky dirtpath, but well worth the effort. Thisrocky shoreline offers a great place to sitand take in a beautiful ocean view.• CRMC ROW#: Y-11 (on appeal)• Fishing

M4. Purgatory Chasm

Located on Tuckerman Avenue justsouth of the junction with PurgatoryRoad, it is a short walk to a rocky cliffthat overlooks Sachuest Bay and abridge over a deep natural chasm inthe bedrock. From the cliff, there is abeautiful view of the ocean, SecondBeach, Sachuest Point, and theNorman Bird Sanctuary. This area isalso accessible from the HangingRock Road parking area via a shortwalk along the rocks.

M5. Hanging Rock Road Parking Area

Located at the western end of Hang-ing Rock Road, at the junction ofParadise Avenue and PurgatoryRoad, this is a small parking area atthe western end of Sachuest (Sec-ond) Beach overlooking SachuestBay (Atlantic Ocean) with access tothe beach and to Purgatory Chasm.This site is also a favorite spot formany Rhode Island surfers. Parkingfee.• Concessions, toilets, trash recep-tacles

M6. Second Beach

The main parking lot for this beach islocated off Sachuest Point Road. Thissite has a wide, sandy, 8,000-foot-long beach fronting Sachuest Bay(Atlantic Ocean) and is an excellentplace for swimming, surfing, walking,and sunbathing. The beach is wellknown and gets quite crowded dur-ing the summer. Facilities include alarge parking lot (fees charged) anda concession area with food, rest-rooms, changing rooms, and picnictables/benches. Fee.• Handicap access, trash receptacles

M7. Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

Located at the eastern end ofSachuest Point Road, this refugeforms the point between theSakonnet River and Second Beach,where the river joins the sea. A net-work of trails traverses the point withtrailside exhibits along the way. Theuplands at the point are dominated byshrubs and grasses, and the shore-line is part cobble, part rock. Over 200species of birds have been spottedhere during the year, including thelargest colony of harlequin ducks inthe eastern United States. Sportfish-ing for striped bass, bluefish, and tau-tog is popular. A visitors’ center isopen Wednesday through Sunday,and bird walks are held on most sum-mer and fall weekends. Parking isavailable.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, toilets, trash receptacles

Sakonnet HarborFishing Access

Sakonnet Harbor

Atlantic Beach

Northwest End of EsplanadeShore Drive

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M8. Third Beach

Located at the end of Third BeachRoad, this town-owned site offers aprotected, sandy beach fronting theSakonnet River and is ideal for swim-ming and boating. There is a concreteboat ramp and areas marked off forswimming, boating, and anchoring.The site is suitable for boats up to 18feet. A walk along the beach towardthe Sachuest Point Wildlife Refugeprovides a good opportunity for ob-serving waterfowl. There are no feesin evening or off-season. Parking isavailable.• Handicap access, picnicking, fish-ing, toilets, trash receptacles

M9. Third Beach Road

This right-of-way is located at thenorth end of Third Beach. It is a foot-path with a boardwalk through dunegrass to the beach. The beach northand south of the access way is pri-vate. Don’t be deceived by a chainacross the right-of-way; this is pub-lic access. No parking is available.• CRMC ROW#: Y-4

M10. Norman Bird Sanctuary

The parking lot and sanctuary head-quarters are located at 583 ThirdBeach Road, north of its junction withHanging Rock Road and Indian Av-enue. At the headquarters, there is anextensive network of trails windingthrough fields, forest, wetlands, androcky ridges. The sanctuary propertyextends on the south side of HangingRock Road through meadows andmarshland, and includes the Maid-ford River where it flows into theSakonnet River. The sanctuary alsoowns the section of Third Beach run-ning from the public portion of ThirdBeach north across the MaidfordRiver and up to Peabody’s Beach. Thebeach can be accessed from thesouth on the public beach or by thepublic right-of-way at the north endof the beach. The diversity of unde-veloped coastal ecosystems providehabitat for a wide variety of wildlifeand birds throughout the year. Rockyoutcrops offer sweeping views. Anatural history museum is located inthe old barn and a gift shop in thesanctuary visitors’ center. There is atrail fee for nonmembers. There is nofee to walk the beach. Guided birdwalks are offered free on Sundaymornings.• Historic interest, toilets, trashreceptacles

M11. Taggart’s Ferry Road

This popular fishing spot is located offIndian Avenue and is a 50-foot-widepath leading to the mouth of theSakonnet River. Parking is available.• CRMC ROW#: Y-6• Trash receptacles

Third Beach

Taggart’s Ferry Road

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

Second Beach

Tuckerman Avenue

Third Beach Road

Norman Bird Sanctuary

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While traveling through Tiverton andLittle Compton, you’ll notice that theAmerican holly, Ilex opaca, is quitecommon. The reason for this is primarilytemperature. Holly is a southern plantand is found in Rhode Island at thenorthernmost extent of its range. On thewest side of Narragansett Bay, holly isgenerally not found north of Route 138and usually grows within five miles of thecoast. The close proximity of Narragan-sett Bay to all of Tiverton and Little Comp-ton moderates the temperature here andcreates perfect growing conditions forholly.—This article first appeared in A Guide toRhode Island’s Natural Places, producedby Rhode Island Sea Grant.

The presence of the piping plover is one indicator of a healthybeach. Because these small shorebirds require a pristine environ-ment for successful nesting, their presence indicates an unspoiledbeach and minimal human intrusion. But as beaches have been usedincreasingly for human activities, the piping plover has been lesssuccessful in its nesting efforts, and the population has declined. Bythe mid-1980s, Rhode Island’s population, reflecting the regionaltrend, had dropped so precipitously that the U.S. Fish and WildlifeService (FWS) included the bird on the Endangered Species List asfederally threatened. To protect fragile nesting areas, FWS beganroping off upper dune areas of popular Moonstone Beach during thesummer season. Although controversial, this move helped stabilizethe beach’s plover population, then estimated at only two pairs.

Piping plovers breed on sparsely vegetated outer beaches,scraping out a shallow nest in the sand for their eggs. Both parentsshare incubation duties for the four speckled eggs the female lays.Unlike many birds, piping plovers do not feed their chicks. Withinhours of hatching, the young leave the nest to follow their parents insearch of food—running along the shoreline, foraging for insectsand other marine invertebrates.

It takes about 28 days for the eggs to hatch and another month forthe chicks to fledge. During this time, the birds are extremelyvulnerable. The eggs and flightless chicks are exposed to predation,especially when incubating adults are flushed from the nest byintruders. Also, the sandy-colored camouflage of adults, chicks, andeggs makes them susceptible to inadvertent destruction by humans.Chicks, the size of cotton balls, need to feed continuously in order togrow. But frequent disturbances, such as foot traffic, send themscuttling from intertidal feeding areas to the protection of the dunes,and may disrupt and disorient them to such a degree that theyweaken and die.

Habitat protection and management efforts have helped boost thepiping plover population, both in Rhode Island and along the AtlanticCoast. Undeveloped beaches, including Napatree Point, NinigretConservation Area, and Goosewing Beach, provide safe habitat forthese threatened birds, which numbered 71 nesting pairs in 2003.

Doing your part

• Nesting areas are fenced off and marked with signs. When visitingthe beach, respect these protection devices and do not disturb thebirds or their nests.

• Pets on the beach are a special danger to plovers. Please leavethem at home during plover season, March through September.

• Trash and food left behind on the beach can draw predators,which can eat plover eggs and chicks. Please properly dispose of allfood or trash from your day at the beach.

—This article first appeared in A Guide to Rhode Island’s NaturalPlaces, produced by Rhode Island Sea Grant.

American Holly Piping Plover

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In the 19th century, Newport was a center of Victorian extravagancein architecture, drawing millionaires, minted by the Industrial Revolu-tion, who competed amongst themselves to build ever more elaborate“summer cottages.” Many of the great mansions built during thosetimes were ideally located along Newport’s Cliff Walk, which hadbegun as an Indian footpath. Serious development of Cliff Walk startedaround 1880, and a number of the estate owners spent the next 50 yearsimproving the walk piece by piece.

Over the last 150 years, the public and some of the wealthy estateowners have clashed over access rights both along and to the shore. Acombination of long-term public use, the rights granted by the colonialcharter, and a passage in the Rhode Island Constitution that grants thepublic “rights of fishery and the privileges of the shore to which theyhave heretofore been entitled,” has ensured the legal right of people towalk on the cliffs. For a full description of this site, see page 79.

Newport

Fort Adams

Narragansett Avenue

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1. Van Zandt Avenue

Located just south of the NewportBridge is a well-maintained pier thatextends west from the intersection ofVan Zandt Avenue and WashingtonStreet to Narragansett Bay. There isno on-site parking available.• CRMC ROW#: Z-7• Picnic tables/benches, trash recep-tacles

2. Battery Street

Located just south of the NewportBridge, this site consists of a right-of-way that extends west from theintersection of Battery Street andWashington Street to a bulkhead thatretains Battery Park and offers a niceview of Narragansett Bay. There islimited on-site parking available.• CRMC ROW#: Z-8• Picnic tables/benches, fishing, trashreceptacles

3. Pine Street

This right-of-way, adjacent to BatteryPark, is a good place to launch akayak. The flat, rocky shore makes fora durable, easy-to-negotiate surface.No parking is available.• CRMC ROW#: Z-9• Trash receptacles

4. Willow Street

Willow Street ends in a boat ramp inpoor condition, suitable for canoesand kayaks. No parking is available.• CRMC ROW#: Z-13

5. Poplar Street Landing

This landing is suitable for launchingcanoes or kayaks. No parking is available.

6. Elm Street

This right-of-way is just south of theNewport Bridge. It consists of apaved road and walk, leading to aconcrete ramp and wooden pier, thatextends west from the intersection ofElm Street and Washington Street toa cobble beach bordering Nar-ragansett Bay. There is no on-siteparking available.• CRMC ROW#: Z-15• Fishing, trash receptacles

7. Storer Park

Located on Newport Harbor, justnorth of the Goat Island causeway,this park is situated on land donatedby the federal government afterWorld War II. The park has an amplegrassy area for picnicking, fishing,and recreation. It is within easy walk-ing distance of the Gateway Centerparking facility and the harbor shop-ping district.• Picnic tables/benches, trash recep-tacles

8. Goat IslandConnector 1

Linking Newport to Goat Island, thecauseway is a popular spot for fish-ing. A paved road and two concretesidewalks extend from the circle infront of the hotel to the west side ofthe causeway and Newport Harbor.Curbside parking is available.• CRMC ROW#: Z-17 (with Connector 2)• Trash receptacles

9. Goat IslandConnector 2

Located on the east side of thecauseway, this site consists of apaved road, two concrete sidewalks,two paved parking areas, and an areaof large rocks on the shore. It extendswest from Washington Street to theeast side of the causeway to NewportHarbor and just south of Storer Park.• CRMC ROW#: Z-16 (with Connector 1)• Trash receptacles

10. Perotti Park

Located just south of Long Wharf, thissite is a small, linear park huggingdowntown Newport Harbor. Thereare park benches and a scenic viewof the Newport boating scene. Noparking is available.• Handicap access, concessions,trash receptacles

11. Ann Street Pier

Located off Thames Street, one blocksouth of Christie’s Landing, this siteis a public dinghy dock consisting ofa long wooden pier, benches, and asmall area for boats to dock. Boatrentals are available. Adjacent to thedock is a small cobble beach. Thisspot is ideal for boater pick-up and

drop-off. Parking is limited alongThames Street.• Handicap access, concessions,historic interest, hiking/walking,trash receptacles

12. Brown and HowardWharf

This right-of-way is a paved road thatextends west from the intersection ofDennison Street and Thames Streetto Pole 4D and then southeast to asection of steel bulkhead borderingNewport Harbor. No on-site parkingis available.• CRMC ROW#: Z-18• Historic interest, hiking/walking

13. King Park

This is a small, grassy park offWellington Avenue, with playgroundequipment, plenty of benches, and asmall but unobstructed beach areawith lifeguards during the summer.Parking in lot with sticker only.• Handicap access, boat ramp, hiking/walking, trash receptacles

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14. Rose Island WildlifeRefuge

This 16-acre site was a Navy storagefacility for explosives during WorldWars I and II. Today it is a protectedprime nesting habitat for migratorybirds; thus, walking around the perim-eter of the island is prohibited be-tween April 1 and August 15. Smallboats may be beached, but only at thelighthouse. When the refuge is open,visitors must stay on the beaches andabide by the signs. From late Octo-ber to early April, harbor seals maybe seen on the north end and at Cit-ing Rock on the east side of theisland. Fee.

15. Rose Island LightStation and FortHamilton

The Rose Island Lighthouse was builtin the 19th century on the site of an18th-century fort. It was active until1970, when it was abandoned and fellinto disrepair. The Rose Island Light-house Foundation restored the light-house and adjacent fort and offerstours seasonally. This 1.5-acre pub-lic park is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. dailyfrom July 1 to Labor Day. Access isvia the Jamestown Ferry. Overnightvisitors are welcome at the light-house year-round. Reservations re-quired. Fee.• Picnic tables/benches, swimming,fishing, wildlife observation, hiking/walking, toilets

16. Fort Adams StatePark

Located off Ocean Drive, this statefacility is one of the largest seacoastfortifications in the United States,containing a visual record of militaryhistory from the 1820s to the end ofWorld War II. Displaying originalgranite, brick, and earthworks as wellas 20th-century gun emplacements,the park has many public facilities,including a bathing beach withrestrooms and showers, two fishingpiers, two soccer fields, and a rugbyfield. Guided tours of the fort areavailable daily from mid-May throughOctober. Fort Adams is also the loca-tion for Sail Newport Sailing Center,the Museum of Yachting, and theEisenhower House. The Jamestown

Ferry provides water taxi service toBowen’s Wharf, Goat Island, RoseIsland, and Jamestown. Parking isavailable.• Handicap access, boat ramp,picnic tables/benches, hiking/walking, wildlife observation, trashreceptacles

17. Ocean Avenue

This state-maintained coastal roadfrom the end of Bellevue Avenue toCastle Hill and Ridge Road offersbreathtaking views of the AtlanticOcean, rocky shoreline, and historicmansions. Bailey’s Beach (private),Gooseberry Beach, Hazard’s Beach(private), Price’s Neck Access, andBrenton Point State Park are locatedoff Ocean Avenue. Parking is avail-able.• Fishing, hiking/walking, wildlifeobservation

18. Brenton Point StatePark

Located off Ocean Avenue at BrentonPoint, this state park has lots to offer.During World War II, it was consid-ered a strategic location for the de-fense of the mouth of NarragansettBay. The area is frequently used bystudents to observe the many tidalpools, plants, and animals that livealong the rocky shoreline. There is aone-mile walking path along theoceanfront, complete with naturestudy information displays. Fishing fortautog, mussels, and lobsters is alsopopular along the shore. There is alarge, open, grassy area ideal for pic-nicking and flying kites. Plenty of freeparking is available.• Handicap access, picnic tables/benches, toilets, trash receptacles

19. King’s Beach andFishing Access

Next to Price’s Neck, off Ocean Av-enue, is a state-maintained fishingarea in a well-protected cove. Thereis also a large, open, grassy areawest of the site and a small cobblebeach to the south of the parkingarea. There is plenty of on-site park-ing available.• Swimming, picnicking, wildlifeobservation

20. Gooseberry Beach

This is a small, quiet beach in a largecove, with a well-protected swim-ming area. Dogs, floats, jet skis, openfires, ball playing, and spearguns arenot allowed. Parking is available fora fee.• Picnic tables/benches, conces-sions, fishing, hiking/walking,toilets, trash receptacles

21. Ledge Road

Located near the southern end ofBellevue Avenue, before OceanDrive, this right-of-way provides ac-cess to the end of Cliff Walk. Unlikethe other parts of Cliff Walk, this endof the walkway is not paved. Cautionshould be taken, as this section con-sists of boulders, dirt paths, and nar-row passages along the bluffs. Thisis a popular site for skin and scubadiving and fishing.• CRMC ROW#: Z-3• Wildlife observation, trash recep-tacles

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King Park

Elm Street

Battery Street

Brenton Point State Park

King’s Beach

Ocean Avenue

Van Zandt Avenue

Ledge Road

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22. Ruggles Avenue

Located just south of The Breakersmansion, off Bellevue Avenue, thisright-of-way ends at the historic CliffWalk. There is no on-site parking.• CRMC ROW#: Z-4

23. Shepard Avenue

Located just north of The Breakers offBellevue Avenue, this site providesaccess to Cliff Walk. Streetsideparking fills up with visitors to TheBreakers.• Trash receptacles

24. Webster Street

Located just south of “40 Steps,” offBellevue Avenue, this right-of-wayprovides access to Cliff Walk and tosome exceptionally scenic views ofthe mansions, Rhode Island Sound,and Salve Regina University.• CRMC ROW#: Z-1

25. NarragansettAvenue (40 Steps)

Located at the eastern end ofNarragansett Avenue, this site pro-vides access to the mid-point of CliffWalk. It has been restored as a beau-tiful National Historic Landmark. Fortygranite steps lead sharply down theface of the rocky bluffs above theocean. Some parking is available.• CRMC ROW#: Z-2• Handicap access, fishing, toilets,trash receptacles

26. Cliff Terrace

Located off Memorial Boulevard, offCliff Avenue, this site is near the be-ginning of Cliff Walk. There is accessto Cliff Walk, but no parking.

27. Cliff Walk

Beginning at Memorial Boulevard,this 3.5-mile scenic walkway over-looks the rocky bluffs and the Atlan-tic Ocean as well as the adjoiningfamous Newport summer mansions.Although the pathway is paved mostof the way, great caution should betaken, as the trail is potentially dan-gerous in some locations. The site isonly partially wheelchair-accessible,as there are rocks and stairs in someareas. Parking is available.• Wildlife observation, fishing, trashreceptacles

Storer Park

Willow Street

Pine Street

Ann Street Pier

Cliff Walk

Gooseberry Beach

Poplar Street

Ruggles Avenue

Webster Street

Perotti Park

28. Easton’s Beach (First Beach)

Located at the end of Memorial Bou-levard, north of Cliff Walk, this is agreat spot for the family becauseof its many facilities and amuse-ments that include bumper boats,miniature golf, a carousel, an arcade,and lawn bowling. This site also haslifeguards, restrooms, showers,rental bathhouses, a snack bar, andhandicapped facilities. A cementboardwalk extends the length of thebeach, ideal for strollers and wheel-chairs. Although there is plenty of payparking available, on summer week-ends the lots usually fill up by noon.• Picnic tables/benches, fishing,hiking/walking, trash receptacles

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1) Roadways that have been laid out,recorded, opened, and maintainedby a city or town council. These arecommonly known as city- or town-accepted streets. To become apublic right-of-way, the city or townmust follow the statutory method forlaying out public highways. Many ofthe public rights-of-way in RhodeIsland’s coastal communities fallinto this category.

2) Highways by grant or use (R.I.G.L.Chapter 24-2). This statute providesthat all lands that have been quietly,peaceably, and actually used,improved, and considered as publichighways for 20 years by a city ortown council shall be taken andconsidered to be public highwaysas if the lands had been regularlylaid out, recorded, and opened bythe city or town council. In order forthis statute to apply, a city or townmust give notice of its intentions todeclare the land as a public high-way and must prepare and record aplat of the highway in the landevidence records of the city or townwhere the land lies.

3) Ways that have been approvedby recordation of a subdivision plat.Rhode Island’s subdivision statuteauthorizes cities and towns tocontrol the subdivision of landwithin their borders (R.I.G.L.Chapter 45-23). A subdivision, ofnecessity, requires roads and ways.Sometimes, a subdivision containsroads or ways that lead to the

warrant the inference that the landhad been laid out, appropriated, ordedicated by the landowner to thepublic. An occasional use of land bya few persons living in the area orby abutters to the property withoutany claim of right is insufficient toestablish a public right-of-way.

6) Ways that have been obtained bythe public’s adverse use. Privatelyowned paths to the shore that havebeen used for a period of 10 con-secutive years by the public maybecome rights-of-way, but only ifthe requirements of the R.I. GeneralLaws are met (R.I.G.L. Chapter 34-7).This method is commonly known asan easement by prescription. Aneasement is a right to use the landof another in a specified manner. Inorder to create a public right-of-way by this method, the public hasthe burden of establishing actual,open, notorious, hostile, and con-tinuous use of a way under a claimof right for 10 years. In addition, thelaw specifically does not allow apublic right-of-way to be estab-lished by footpaths; the pathwayhas to have been used by carriagesor vehicles.

CRMC Public Right-of-Way Designation Process

CRMC has the authority todesignate public rights-of-way tothe tidal waters of the state (R.I.G.L.46-23.6). A CRMC public right-of-way designation clarifies the statusof a public right-of-way andprovides shore goers with clear andlegally defined pathways to theshore. The designation of publicrights-of-way also ensures thepreservation and protection ofthese access sites for subsequentgenerations of Rhode Islanders.CRMC carries on a continuousprocess of discovery and designa-tion of rights-of-way using astanding right-of-way subcommit-tee. Because of administrative andlegal requirements, the right-of-waydesignation process is complex andrequires a substantial investment oftime and resources.

What Is a Public Right-of-Way to the Shore?

A public right-of-way to the shore is a piece of land over which thepublic has the right to pass on foot, or, if appropriate, by vehicle, inorder to access the tidal waters of Rhode Island.

How Is a Public Right-of-Way Established in Rhode Island?

Generally, there are six legal methods of establishing a public right-of-way in Rhode Island:

CRMC’s Public Right-of-Way Process

state’s tidal waters. After a city ortown planning commission hasgiven notice of the proposed sub-division plat, held public hearing(s),and approved the subdivision plat,and that plat has been recorded inthe city’s or town’s land evidencerecords, the roads or ways areavailable for public use.

4) Ways that have been offered tothe public by dedication and ac-cepted by public use or by officialcity or town action (implieddedication). This is a common lawmethod of establishing publicrights-of-way. In order for there tobe a common law dedication, theremust be a clear intent by the ownerto donate the land and a clearacceptance of that land by thepublic. Once a parcel of land hasbeen dedicated, the transfer isirrevocable. The landowner’s intentto dedicate the land can be evi-denced by the recordation of a platmap showing the right-of-way aspublic or by language contained ina deed(s). Many public rights-of-way to Rhode Island’s shorelinehave been established by dedica-tion.

5) Highways that have been used bythe public since time immemorial.This is an old common law concept.The law provides that to create apublic right-of-way by use, theevidence must show that the usehas been general, uninterrupted,continuous, and adverse so as to

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Therefore, CRMC typically takes atown-by-town approach to identifyand investigate potential publicrights-of-way. The CRMC designa-tion process begins with a fact-finding investigation and a titlesearch conducted by CRMC’s or thetown’s legal counsel. This investiga-tion is usually at the request of acoastal city or town. In many cases,CRMC’s efforts are supplementedwith research by the variousmunicipal departments. During thefact-finding process, evidencepertaining to the existence of aright-of-way is gathered from landevidence records, deeds, taxassessor records, public worksrecords, town documents, and courtrecords. A visual inspection ofpotential sites is also made togather evidence pertaining to theexercise of dominion over apotential right-of-way includingmaintenance, repair, and upkeep.

All evidence is reviewed foraccuracy and relevance by theCRMC right-of-way subcommitteeand presented at a public hearing inthe town or city involved. If, basedon the evidence gathered and publictestimony received, the subcommit-tee determines with reasonableprobability that a public right-of-wayexists, a recommendation is made tothe full council to designate the site.If the full council approves the right-of-way subcommittee’s recommen-dation, then a final written decisionis rendered containing factualfindings and conclusions of law. Ifthere is not an appeal or after anappeal has been resolved in favor ofCRMC, then the decision is recordedin the land evidence records andfiled with the Secretary of State’sOffice.

What a CRMC-Designated Right-of-Way Means

Once a public right-of-way hasbeen designated, the publicpossesses a passageway to gainaccess to the tidal waters of thestate. Like an easement, a publicright-of-way relates to the public’suse, not the public’s ownership. In

other words, the public has the rightto pass over and use the land in amanner consistent with thecondition of the site no matter whoowns it. When CRMC designates apublic right-of-way, it does notdetermine the ownership of the site.CRMC is prohibited from addressingquestions of ownership.

Determining the ownership of apublic right-of-way can becomplicated and often requirescourt action. Frequently, if a site hasbeen actively used by the public, thepublic may in fact own the site.CRMC does not create “new”public rights-of-way; it merelyrecognizes and places an officialdesignation on previously existingconditions. It is the landowner and/or a city or town that creates apublic right-of-way; CRMC merelyidentifies these sites. If CRMC hasnot designated a site, it does notmean that a public right-of-waydoes not exist. In fact, a publicright-of-way may exist, but CRMCmay not have enough information tolegally designate it or CRMC maynot have investigated the site.

Can a Public Right-of-Way Be Blocked orAbandoned?

Once a site has been designatedas a public right-of-way, CRMCprohibits any activities that wouldobstruct the public’s use of the siteand pursues legal actions againstindividuals that block or impede thepublic’s access at designatedrights-of-way.

Once a public right-of-way hasbeen designated by CRMC, itcannot be abandoned by a city ortown without prior approval ofCRMC (R.I.G.L.46-23-6.2). Inaddition, a public right-of-way thathas not been designated by CRMC,but is nevertheless a public way,cannot be abandoned withoutformal abandonment proceedings.Moreover, highways that have beendesignated public by the actions ofa landowner or acquired byprescription cannot be lost due tonon-use and the public cannot loseits rights due to adverse possession.

Public Access Created via CRMCPermitIn addition to creating public access by legislativemandate to discover and designate public rights-of-wayto the shore, CRMC creates public access via Section335 regulations in the Rhode Island Coastal ResourcesManagement Program. These regulations require that apublic access plan be included when CRMC issues apermit for:

• Commercial and industrial development orredevelopment projects

• New marinas or significant expansions to marinas• Activities that involve the filling of tidal waters• Publicly funded beach nourishment projects

Projects That Include a Section 335Public Access PlanBristol

Stone Harbour CondominiumsThames Street LandingWeetamoe Farms CondominiumsWharf Tavern

Little Compton

Sakonnet Point Club

Narragansett

Knowlesway Extension (at Point Judith Pond)

Newport

Casey’s MarinaNewport OnshoreThe Inn at Long Wharf (Marina)West Wind Marina (Waite’s Wharf)

North Kingstown

Blue Beach (R.I. Economic Development Corporation)Compass Rose Beach (R.I. Economic Development Corporation)Jamestown Bridge (R.I. Department of Transportation)Keiffer Park (R.I. Economic Development Corporation)North Kingstown Town MarinaSpink’s Neck Beach (R.I. Economic Development Corporation)

Portsmouth

Carnegie AbbeyMelville MarinaMount Hope Marine Terminal

Providence

Collier Point Park (Narragansett Electric)Providence Place MallShooters (Currently R.I. Department of Transportation property)

Tiverton

Village at Mount Hope Bay (Starwood)

Warwick

Dickerson’s MarinaGreenwich Bay Marina

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BarringtonShore Road P1Daunis R-O-W P2

BristolBeach Road S1Gibson Road S2Fales Road S3Constitution Street S4Union Street S5Walley Street S6Low Lane S18North Street S7Butterworth Avenue S8Azalea Drive S9Fatima Drive S10San Miguel Drive S11Sherman Avenue S12Smith Street S13Kickemuit Avenue S14Narrows Road S15Sunrise Drive S16Annawamscutt Drive S17Poppasquash Road (beach lot) S19Burton Street S23State Street S20Franklin Street S21Oliver Street S22Bayview (Clipper Way) S25Narrows Peninsula S26Platt Street S27Aaron Avenue S29Peck Avenue S24King Philip Avenue S28

CharlestownBreachway B1East Beach Road B2

CranstonAborn Street (south side) K1Aborn Street (westerly side) K2Seaview Avenue (west side) K3

East GreenwichLondon Street H1Rocky Hollow Road H2Long Street H3King Street H4Bridge Street H5Division Street H6

East ProvidenceThird Beachway N4Fourth Beachway N5Fifth Beachway N6Narragansett Beachway N1First Beachway N2Second Beachway N3Sixth Beachway N7Seventh Beachway N8Eighth Beachway N9Ninth Beachway N10Tenth Beachway N11Eleventh Beachway N12Riverside Drive N13

JamestownBroad Street G1Spirketing Street G2

Steamboat Street G3Spindrift Street G4Eldred Avenue G5Mast Street G6Hull Street G7Capstan Street G12Garboard Street G11Champlin Way G8Buccaneer Way G9Decatur Avenue G13Carr Lane G10High Street1

Little ComptonContinuation of Taylor’s Lane W1Town Way W2Sakonnet Harbor Boat Ramp W3

MiddletownTuckerman Avenue btwn Lots 104/105 Y1*Shore Drive Y3Third Beach Road Y4Southeast end of Esplanade & Shore Drive Y5Taggarts Ferry Road Y6Kingfisher Avenue Y7Northwest end of Esplanade Y8*Western end of Purgatory Rd. Y9Shore Drive, opp. Lot 107 Y10*Tuckerman Avenue, opp. Wolcott Avenue Y11*

NarragansettKnowlesway Extension C1Extension of Pilgrim Avenue C2Calef Avenue C3Black Point C5*Bass Rock Road C6Conanicus Road C11Conant Avenue Road End C7Foddering Farm Road Extension C12Hazard Avenue Road End C9Newton Avenue Road End C13Pettaquamscutt Avenue C10South Ferry Road C8Wandsworth Street Extension C14

New Shoreham (Block Island)Settlers’ Rock E1Scotch Beach Road E2Scup Rock Property E3Cooneymus Road E4Coast Guard Road E5Andy’s Way E6West Beach Road E7

NewportWebster Street Z1Narragansett Avenue Z2Ledge Road Z3Ruggles Avenue Z4Seaview Avenue Z5Cypress Street Z6Van Zandt Avenue Z7Battery Street Z8Pine Street Z9Cherry Street Z10Chestnut Street Z11Walnut Street Z12

ProvidenceIrving Avenue L1Butler Avenue L2

South KingstownStatice Drive D1Dawn Drive D2Daybreak Drive D3Ocean Avenue D4

TivertonState Avenue T2Carey Lane T1Nannaquaket Bridge T3Fogland Road T4Land south of Sakonnet Bridge T5Two Rod Way T6South of Stone Bridge T7

WarrenMaple Street R1Parker Avenue R2

Willow Street Z13Poplar Street Z14Elm Street Z15Goat Island Connector (28-B) Z16Goat Island Connector (28-A) Z17Brown & Howard Wharf Z18Lee’s Wharf Z19Howard’s Wharf Z20Sisson’s Wharf Z21*Waites Wharf Z22*Spring Wharf Z23

North KingstownPhillips Street F5Loop Drive F6Loop Drive (2) F7Town Wharf1

Allen Harbor Complex1

Wilson Park1

PawtucketBishop Street M1

PortsmouthMount View Road V1Anthony Road V2Narragansett Road V3Cedar Avenue V4Point Street V5Green Street V6Seaconnet Blvd. (northeasterly V7 corner of land of Wm. Herbert)Seaconnet Blvd. V8*Seaconnet Blvd. (northeasterly V9 corner of land of Don Ibbotson)Seaconnet Blvd. (northeasterly V10 corner of land of Virginia Arruda)Ruth Avenue V11Fountain Avenue V12Aquidneck Avenue V13Atlantic Avenue V14 (Easterly end of East Corys Lane)Atlantic Avenue V15 (Easterly end of Tallman Avenue)Child Street V16Morningside Lane V17

Patterson Avenue R3Harris Avenue R4Shore Drive (3) R6Shore Drive (5) R7Shore Drive (6) R8Shore Drive (7) R9Road to Town Landing R10

WarwickBradford Street J1Elkins Avenue J2Charlotte Drive (north side) #1 J3Charlotte Drive (north side) #2 J4Charlotte Drive (north side) #3 J5Charlotte Drive #4 J6Beachwood Drive (east side) #1 J7Beachwood Drive (east side) #2 J8Sylvia Drive J9Sheffield Street J10Reynolds Avenue J11North Shore Street J12Waterfront Drive J13Cooney Street J14Progress Street J15Burnett Road (east side) #1 J16Burnett Road (east side) #2 J17Burnett Road (east side) #3 J18Shawomet Avenue (north side) J19Shawomet Avenue (north side) J20Bellman Avenue J21Gaspee Point Drive (abandoned) J22Butler Court J23Nausauket Road J24Ives Road J25Tiffany Avenue/Progress Street J26Narrangansett Bay Avenue J28Off Shawomet Avenue J29Off Ship Street (Ship Court) J30Suburban Parkway- Formerly Delaware Avenue J31Peck Lane-Pawtuxet Village J32Off Cooney Street/Extension of Lilac Street J33Rock Avenue/Bromley Avenue J34Off Reynolds Avenue J35Priscilla Avenue J36Masthead Drive-Old Courtland Ln. J37Ogden Avenue off Burnett Road J38

WesterlyAvondale Road A14Bluff Avenue A2*Manatuck Avenue A3*Atlantic Avenue (1) A6Atlantic Avenue (2) A7Atlantic Avenue (4) A8*Atlantic Avenue (5) A9Atlantic Avenue (6) A10*Atlantic Avenue (7) A11Atlantic Avenue (8) A12*Atlantic Avenue (9) A13

*On appeal. Sites so noted indicate CRMCdecisions that are being challengedthrough the courts. Sites that have been de-termined not public are not on this list. Formore information, contact CRMC.1 Designation number pending

CRMC Rights-of-Way

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IndexAborn Street Boat Ramp 49Acre Avenue 56Allen Avenue 55Allen Harbor Complex 39Andy’s Way 14Ann Street Pier 77Annawamscutt Drive (Bristol) 63Annawamscutt Road (Barrington)55Anthony Road 67Appian Way 55Apponaug Cove 40Aquidneck Avenue 68Arnold Avenue 49Arnold’s Neck Park 40Atlantic Avenue #1 18Atlantic Avenue #2 18Atlantic Avenue #7 18Atlantic Avenue #9 18Atlantic Beach 72Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Environmental EducationCenter 61

Ballard’s Beach 13Barbara M. Tufts Playground 40Barker Avenue 57Barrington Police Station

Boat Ramp 55Barrington Town Beach 55Bass Rock Road 29Battery Street 77Bay Spring Avenue 55Bayside Beach 41Beach Avenue/Dunns Bridge 14Beach Road (Bristol) 62Beach Road Extension (East Providence) 51Beavertail State Park 34Belvidere Avenue 56Bissel Cove 36Black Point 29Blackstone Park 50Block Island Boat Basin 14Block Island Ferry Terminal 28Block Island National Wildlife

Refuge 13Blue Shutters Town Beach 23Bluff Avenue 17Bluff Hill Cove Access 28Bold Point Park 51Brenton Point State Park 78Bridge Street Access at Crompton

Avenue 39Bristol Town Beach 62Broad Street 33Brown and Howard Wharf 77Brown Street Extension 56Buccaneer Way 33Bullock Cove Access 51Burr’s Hill Park 56Calef Avenue 29Canonchet Farm 30Capstan Street 33Carr Lane 33Casino Park 29Cedar Avenue 67

Chafee Nature Preserve 35Champlin’s Marina 14Charlestown Beach

(Block Island) 14Charlestown Breachway Beach

and Boat Ramp 23Charlestown Town Beach 23Chepiwanoxet Island 40Child Street 68Clark Road 57Clayhead Nature Trail 13Cliff Terrace 79Cliff Walk 79Coast Guard Station/Coast

Guard Road 14Coggeshall Farm Museum 62Collier Point Park 49Colt State Park 62Compass Rose Beach 39Conanicut Battery on Prospect Hill 34Conanicut Island Sanctuary 33Conant Avenue Road End 29Conimicut Point Recreation Area 42Constitution Street 61Corliss Landing 49Crescent Park 51Decatur Avenue 33Deep Hole Fishing Area 27Division Street Access at

Water Street 40East Bay Bicycle Path

(Barrington) 56East Bay Bicycle Path (Bristol) 62East Bay Bicycle Path

(Riverside Square) 51East Bay Bicycle Path (Warren) 56East Beach/Ninigret State

Facilities 23East Corys Lane 68East Ferry 33East Greenwich Town Overlook

and Boat Ramp 39East Matunuck State Beach 27Easton’s Beach (First Beach) 79Elm Lane (Barrington) 55Elm Street (Newport) 77Emily Ruecker Wildlife Refuge 71Fales Road 62Fatima Drive 63Ferry Road 62Firefighters Memorial Park 61Fisherman’s Memorial State Park 28Fogland Beach 71Fogland Road 71Fort Adams State Park 78Fort Getty 34Fort Ninigret 24Fort Wetherill State Park 34Fountain Avenue 67Fox Hill Salt Marsh 34Franca Drive 63Frank Hall Boat Yard 17Frederick Benson Town Beach 13Galilee at Great Island Bridge 28Galilee Bird Sanctuary 28Garboard Street 33Gaspee Point Drive 49

George B. Salter Grove 49Gilbert Stuart Birthplace 35Goat Island Connector 77Goddard State Park 39Gooseberry Beach 78Gooseberry Road Town Ramp 27Gould Avenue 67Green Hill Beach 24Green Street 67Grinnell’s Beach 68Gull Cove State Boat Ramp 67Haines Memorial Park 55Hanging Rock Road Parking Area 72Harris Avenue 57Hazard Avenue 29Hull Street 35Independence Park 61India Point Park 50Indian Head Neck Road 14Island Park Avenue 67Ivy Avenue 67John Lewis Park 51Juniper Street 56Kenport Marina 27Kickemuit Avenue 63King’s Beach and Fishing Access 78King Park 77King Phillip Avenue 63King Street Access at Water

Street 40Knockum Hill Reserve 56Knowlesway Extension 27Latham Park 55Lavin’s Landing Marina 23Ledge Road 78Long Cove Marina 27Long Street Access at Water

Street 40Longmeadow Fishing Area 41Lotteryville Marina 17Low Lane 62Mackerel Cove Beach 34Main Street Boat Ramp 17Manatuck Avenue 17Mansion Road 13Maple Street 57Margin Street Launch 17Marina Park 27Marsh Meadows Wildlife

Preserve 35Masthead Drive 40Matunuck Management Area 27Max Read Field 50McCorrie Lane Fishing Area 71Melville Campground Recreational

Area 71Metropolitan Park 50Middle Bridge 30Mill Pond Inlet 61Misquamicut State Beach 18Mohegan Bluffs 13Moonstone Beach 24Morningside Lane 68Mosquito Beach 14Mount Hope Farm 62Mount Hope Fishing Access 63Mount Hope View Road 67Nannaquaket Bridge 68

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Napatree Point ConservationArea 17

Narragansett Avenue (40 Steps) 79Narragansett Bay Avenue 41Narragansett Bay National

Estuarine Research Reserve 68Narragansett Road 67Narragansett Town Beach 29Narrow River Boat Ramp 30Narrow River Inlet 30Narrows Fishing Area 63Narrows Road 63Nausauket Road 40Nayatt/Daunis Road 55New Westerly Town Beach 18Newton Avenue 29Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge 23Ninigret Park 24Norman Bird Sanctuary 73North Kingstown Town Beach 36North Street 63Northwest End of Esplanade Shore Drive 72Oakland Beach 41Ocean Avenue Bridge

(Block Island) 14Ocean Avenue (Cranston) 49Ocean Avenue (Newport) 78Ocean Avenue

(South Kingstown) 27Ocean House Marina 24Ocean Road 29Ogden Avenue Extension 41Old Harbor Dock 13Old Sprague Bridge Overlook 30One Bay Avenue Restaurant 41Osamequin Nature Trails and

Bird Sanctuary 56Parker Avenue 57Patterson Avenue 57Pawtucket Town Landing 50Payne’s Dock 14Perotti Park 77Perry Creek Accessway 23Pettaquamscutt Avenue 30Pettaquamscutt Cove National

Wildlife Refuge 30Pettaquamscutt Park 30Pilgrim Avenue Extension 29Pine Street 77Platt Street (Narrows Coastal Access) 63Pleasant Street 36Point Judith Lighthouse 28Point Judith State Park 28Pond Street Ramp 27Poplar Street Landing 77Potowomut Neck 39Potter Cove/Taylor Point 33Providence Avenue Playground 51Prudence Island Ferry 61Purgatory Chasm 72Quonochontaug Breachway 23Quonochontaug Conservation

Area 18Richmond Square Parking Lot 50Ray’s Bait 40

RIDEM Fish and WildlifeMarine Fisheries Center 34

River Bend Cemetery 17Riverside Marine 68Road to Town Landing (Warren) 57Rockwell Park 61Rocky Hollow Road Access

at Crompton Avenue 39Rodman’s Hollow 14Roger Wheeler State Beach 28Rose Island Light Station and Fort Hamilton 78Rose Island Wildlife Refuge 78Rose Larisa Memorial Park 51Rose Nulman Memorial Park 29Route 1A Overlook 30Roy Carpenter’s Beach 24Ruggles Avenue 79Sabin Point Park 51Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge 72Sakonnet Bridge Access 68Sakonnet Harbor 72Sakonnet Harbor Fishing Access 72Salty Brine State Beach 28San Miguel Drive 63Sandy Beach (Prudence Island) 68Sandy Point Beach (Portsmouth) 71Scarborough State Beach 29School Street Pier 50Scotch Beach Road 13Scup Rock Property 14Seapowet Marsh and Point

Fishing Area 71Seaside Beach 33Seaview Beach 41Seaview Park 49Second Beach 72Settlers’ Rock 13Shawomet Boat Ramp 42Sheffield Cove Marsh 34Shelter Cove Marina 23Shepard Avenue 79Sherman Avenue 63Shore Drive 57Slater Mill Historic Site 50Smith Street 63Snake Hole Road 14South Ferry Road 30South Kingstown Town Beach 27South Shore Beach 72Southeast Lighthouse 13Southwest Point/Cooneymus

Road 14Spirketing Street 33State Pier #3 28State Pier #4 28State Pier #5 (Tucker’s Dock) 29State Street Pier and Boat

Launch 61Stillhouse Cove 49Stone Bridge Ramp 67Storer Park 77Sunrise Drive 63Sylvia Drive 40Taggart’s Ferry Road 73Tallman Avenue 68Taylor’s Lane 71

Teddy’s Beach 67Third Beach 73Third Beach Road 73Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge 57Town Way (Little Compton) 71Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge 24Tuckerman Avenue (opposite

Walcott Avenue) 72Two Rod Way 71Union Street 61Van Zandt Avenue 77Veterans’ Memorial Park

(Barrington) 55Veterans’ Memorial Parkway

(East Providence) 51Veterans Park (Block Island) 14Viking Marina 17Walker Farm 56Walley Street 61Walmsley Lane 35Wamsetta Avenue 56Warren Town Beach 56Warwick City Park 40Watch Hill Boatyard 17Watch Hill Dock 17Watch Hill Lighthouse 17Waterplace Park 49Watson, Clark, Bluff, and

Waterway Extensions 55Watson Farm 35Weaver Cove Boat Ramp 71Webster Street 79Weekapaug Breachway 18Weekapaug Point Overlook 18West Beach Road 14West Ferry 34Westerly Town Beach 18Wharf Marina 41Wheaton Street Boat Ramp 56Wickford Municipal Dock 36Wickford Municipal Wharf 36Willow Street (Newport) 77Willow Way (Barrington) 55Wilson Park 36Woodbine Avenue 55

3

Photo Credits

Block Island

Photos by Adam Zitello, except:Cover: Ann MaddenInside front cover, Background: Puffin EnterprisesPage 1: Puffin EnterprisesPage 2, North Lighthouse: Charlie FestaPage 4: ©Istockphoto Inc.Page 7, Top, Lobster: Puffin EnterprisesPage 8: Puffin EnterprisesPage 9: Puffin EnterprisesPage 10, Egret: ©Istockphoto Inc.; All others: Puffin EnterprisesPage 11, Upper right and background: R.I. Economic Development CorporationPage 12, North Lighthouse: R.I. Economic Development CorporationPage 15, Top: Puffin Enterprises; Canoe: Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed AssociationPage 16, Napatree Point: Puffin EnterprisesPage 19: Charlie FestaPage 20, Top: Rhode Island Sea Grant; Bottom: Puffin EnterprisesPage 22: Charlie FestaPage 25: Charlie FestaPage 29, Point Judith Lighthouse: Puffin Enterprises; Rose Nulman Memorial Park: Charlie FestaPage 30, View to Middle Bridge: Puffin EnterprisesPage 31: Puffin EnterprisesPage 32: Puffin EnterprisesPage 33, Spirketing Street (sign), Conanicut Island Sanctuary, Buccaneer Way: Monica Allard CoxPage 34, East Ferry, RIDEM Fish and Wildlife Marine Fisheries Center, Taylor Point: Monica Allard CoxPage 35, Beavertail State Park, Conanicut Battery: Monica Allard Cox; Potter Cove/Taylor Point: Puffin EnterprisesPage 36, Wickford Harbor: Puffin EnterprisesPage 39, Rocky Hollow Access, Bridge Street, Division Street: Monica Allard CoxPage 40, Barbara Tufts Playground: Charlie FestaPages 44 through 46: Narragansett Bay JournalPage 47, Riverboat: Blackstone Valley Tourism Council; Ranger: Blackstone River Watershed CouncilPage 48: Puffin EnterprisesPage 50, Blackstone Park (canoeist), Pawtucket Town Landing, School Street Pier: Monica Allard CoxPage 51, Providence Avenue Playground, Crescent Park: Monica Allard Cox; Bold Point Park: Puffin EnterprisesPage 58: Puffin EnterprisesPage 59, Bristol Parade: Courtesy R.I. Tourism Division; Colt State Park: Monica Allard CoxPage 62, Coggeshall Farm Museum: Monica Allard CoxPage 64, Quahog: Charlie Festa; RHi X3 9276: Avery Lord. Two Fishermen on Shore with Clams, Rake and Basket. © The Rhode Island Historic SocietyPage 66: Puffin EnterprisesPage 67, Common Fence Point: Puffin EnterprisesPage 69: URI Coastal Resources CenterPage 70: Norman Bird SanctuaryPage 71, Fogland Beach: Monica Allard CoxPage 73, Third Beach Road: Monica Allard Cox; Boy: Norman Bird SanctuaryPage 74, Upper piping plover: Malia Schwartz; Top insert and lower piping plover: Audubon Society of Rhode Island; American holly: Monica Allard CoxPage 75, Bottom: Puffin EnterprisesPage 78, Battery Street: Charlie FestaInside Back Cover, Background: Puffin EnterprisesBack Cover: Monica Allard Cox

public access to the rhode island coast

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