Squantum Woods/Kettle Point Park – East Providence
- Squantum Woods/Kettle Point Park
- Veterans Memorial Parkway, East Providence, RI
- Trailhead: 41°47’45.49″N, 71°22’16.48″W
- Last Time Hiked: August 17, 2023
- Approximate distance hiked: 1.9 miles
- Fairly Easy.
Once a State Park, now owned by the City of East Providence, Squantum Woods Park has gone through a renaissance over the last couple years and has become a suburban gem. For this walk starting at a parking area off of Veterans Memorial Parkway make your way to the brick walkway at the entrance. Names are inscribed in the bricks of locals who have served in the military. At the end of the walkway is the “Garden of Flags”, a memorial to local Vietnam Veterans. Next walk on the grass toward the tree line. Here you will find the trail head for the Green Trail. This trail traces one of the original trails that was once here several years ago. In the spring of 2023 it was redeveloped by Ian Moates for his Eagle Scout Project. It first follows an old cart path before turning right and winding through areas of towering ledges and shallow streams. The trail soon comes back out to the back of the park near the back side of the pond. Turn left here and follow the tree line for a few feet. Here you will find a the beginning of a wood chip trail on the left. The trail wraps around the backside of the Kettle Point neighborhood towards the East Bay Bike Path. There are spectacular views of Long Rock Cove below and the Providence River. The shrubs along this stretch are a haven for smaller birds. Yellow warblers, red-winged blackbirds, and finches were observed here at the time of this walk. The trail ends at the bike path. From here you can add as much distance to a walk as you would like. For this walk turn right and follow the bike path a little over a tenth of a mile. On the left there is an “Urban Coastal Greenway – Public Access” sign at a clearing. The clearing leads to a small beach (at low tide) that offers great views of the Port of Providence and the base of the Fuller Rocks Lighthouse (destroyed by an explosion in 1923). Return to the bike path and continue north another 400 feet or so. On the left is the entrance to Kettle Point Park. This park, once part of the Amaco Oil property, has recently been acquired by the City of East Providence. The City does have some plans for improvements, but for now there is a single paved path that leads into the park to the pier. The high points of the park and the pier offer sweeping views of the Upper Providence River and Downtown Providence in the distance. From here retrace you steps back to the pond at Squantum Woods and stay to the left of the pond to get to the parking area. Be sure to look for birds in and around the pond. The park also offers picnic benches. Do carry out what you carry in if you so choose to have a picnic before or after your walk.
A Summer View of Long Rock Cove
Trails & Walks in Rhode Island 
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