Archive for the ‘ ~MIDDLETOWN RI~ ’ Category
This small park offers a large open mowed field with views of the Sakonnet River. There are several benches here to sit, relax, and enjoy a beautiful summer day. Following the perimeter of the park, you can get just under a half mile of a walk.
Demery Park on a Summer Day.
Prescott Farm is a Newport Restoration Foundation property that straddles the Middletown/Portsmouth town line. The forty acres offers historic structures and an 1812 windmill as well as a wooded area with ponds and streams. Just after the windmill and to the left is a trail that leads into the woods. The loop trail offers several stream crossings and a pond near the far end. There are deciduous trees and a mix of pines and junipers among some thickets. There was quite an abundance of birds here at the time of the visit. At the pond near the front of the property were plenty of ducks and geese. Among the old structures is also a garden maintained by the U.R.I. master gardeners. Although privately owned, the property is open to the public and is a great spot for those interested in local history or looking for a short walk.
The Guard House and Windmill at Prescott Farm.
Straddling the town line of Portsmouth and Middletown on the west side of East Main Road is a former Christmas tree farm that has been preserved by the Aquidneck Island Land Trust. Spruce Acres Farm offers about a mile and a half of trails that meander about the property. It is the newest trail system in Rhode Island, opening to the public December of 2018. The blue blazed loop trail covers almost all of the property and is just over a mile long. From the parking area follow the red trail signs pass the private residence and barn to the next kiosk. This trail, the Gerwirz Trail, is the beginning of the blue blazed trail. Pass the gate and follow the main central trail pass an old structure, stay to the left, and pass another private residence to the right. At the next trail intersection turn right and follow the signs for the blue trail the remainder of the walk. The trail is very well marked as it winds through the old farm first on the Portsmouth side before crossing into Middletown. Among the shrubs you will occasionally catch a glimpse of an old sign here and there indicating former lots of Christmas trees. In the shrubs you will hear rustling of birds as it is a haven for all types from small songbirds to the larger hawks. Also dotting in and out of the stone walls are chipmunks and squirrels. There are some quite impressive trees on the property as well as a small pine grove. Bring a camera and take your time on this pleasant and short stroll as this is a beautiful property to enjoy.
Map can be found at: Spruce Acres Farm
Along the blue trail at Spruce Acres Farm.
Middletown Valley is a long a narrow strip of land just off of High Street that offers a little over a mile of walking trails. The stone and gravel trails wind through areas of grass and meadows and are marked yellow, red, and blue. There have been hundreds of trees planted on the property as well. Parking is available at the north end of the property at O’Neil Boulevard. There is also an informational board here with rules and a trail map.
Walking Trail at Middletown Valley
Third Beach in Middletown is a haven for beach goers in the summer months. With that said, the “off-season” is the best time to walk this stretch of beach. The beach faces the Sakonnet River just north of Sachuest Point. The beach is often visited by several species of birds as the beach is adjacent to a National Wildlife Preserve and the nearby Norman Bird Sanctuary. A fee to park will be charged during the beach season.
Third Beach on a Winter Day.
Part of the Sakonnet Greenway Trails, the Middletown Northern Loop abuts Albro Woods, which is also the best access to the loop. The green blazed trail winds around the edges of several open fields. The loop trail is mostly grass paths, much like the Southern Loop, and is flanked in several areas by thick brush. Several birds can be spotted here including the red winged blackbird. Most of the trail is well blazed, however small section that runs right along East main Road is not. The well mowed paths are easy enough to follow though.
Trail maps can be found at: Middletown Northern Loop
Along the Middletown Northern Loop
Part of the Sakonnet Greenway Trails, the Middletown Southern Loop is the southern most of three loop trails of the Greenway. The well marked yellow blazed trail winds around the edges of large open fields and through areas of woods. It also follows the edge of the Wyatt Road Soccer Complex as well making its way through Newport Vineyards property. The loop trail, mostly grass paths, is flanked in several areas by thick brush, a haven for birds. The trail also crosses a couple streams and passes small ponds. The trail tends to be a little muddy after heavy rain but otherwise is very easy on the feet as it is well maintained.
Trail maps can be found at: Middletown Southern Loop
Along The Middletown Southern Loop.
I joined the Appalachian Mountain Club – Narragansett Chapter for their hike of The Glen and Sakonnet Greenway. They opted to do this hike as a one way trek, therefore the route that I will describe requires car spotting. We started from the parking lot at The Glen along Frank Cohelo Drive. We first made our way down a short walkway that leads to the road. We then turned right following the road past the Glen Manor House. We then passed the house to the south passing through the well maintained gardens. From here are wonderful views of the Sakonnet River. As we approached the edge of the lawn a trail appears to the right that leads into the woods. Following this trail we soon came to the beach below. To the south you can see Sandy Point. We followed the beach south for a short distance and turned right onto a trail as wide as a cart-path back into the woods. The trail soon crosses over a stream and then follows it to an old abandon building. The stone work near and around the building is quite impressive. Take note of the archway of the sluice by the building. We then continued following the trail to the end of The Glen property. We turned left onto a narrow paved road and followed it about 500 feet to a dirt road on the right. This is Linden Lane. We followed the road for about four tenths of a mile as we passed the Newport Polo Grounds to the left. Ahead in the distance we could see the historic Leonard Brown House. After the Polo Grounds, but before the house, on the left is the northerly trailhead of the Sakonnet Greenway. From here we started our southerly trek first passing the Polo Grounds to the left before entering the Pennfield School property. The trail traverses through areas of thick shrubs and tall trees before coming to the white gate at Sandy Point Avenue. After crossing the street we approached the Portsmouth Loop Trail. The trail follows the perimeter of a large open field. Be warned though that the field is surrounded by an electric fence. We opted to turn left here and follow the east edge of the loop while heading south. After leaving the loop trail we passed through a short section of woods before emerging out to another small field. The trail soon led into a wooded area. The trail crossed a couple small streams by bridges and boardwalks. After coming out of the woods again the trail followed the edge of another large field. Soon we came to a set of turnstiles, continuing straight the trail winded through a narrow stretch of woods that divided two fields. The trail then turned to the right following the southern edge of the field that was to the right. Ahead is a kiosk with the trail map near the road crossing. After crossing Bramans Lane the trail turns to the west between another field of tall grass and a stone wall. The trail then turns left keeping the field to the left. Wildflowers are abundant along this stretch. Soon we were on the property of the Newport National Golf Course. The Sakonnet Greenway at this point is well marked by signs as it skims the perimeter of the golf course. For the next two miles the trail is on the golf course property. On several occasions we caught glimpses of the greens and the golfers using them. At time the trail uses the road for the golf carts. There are also places to stop along the way to use the restroom. Also along this stretch, just after then bend after the gazebo the Greenway leaves Portsmouth and enters into Middletown. At the end of the golf course property the trail comes out to Mitchells Lane. We turned left here and followed the road about one tenth of a mile. Across the street is the trail that leads to the Middletown Loops. We followed this trail to the next intersection and turned left. We then followed this trail, part of the Middletown Southern Loop which is occasionally marked with yellow blazes, to the Wyatt Road Soccer Complex where we concluded the hike. This hike highlights the true beauty of Aquidneck Island. From its areas of forest to its sprawling farms.
Also thank you to Deb and Cyndy from the AMC for leading this hike.
Trail maps can be found at: Sakonnet Greenway
View of The Sakonnet River From The Glen
The Sakonnet Greenway Along A Field.
This beautiful and well maintained park in Middletown offers just about a half mile of walking paths. The park is also home of an 1810 wind grist mill that was relocated to this property in 1995. The wind mill is still operational. The property also abuts the 1875 Paradise Schoolhouse. This structure is home of the Middletown Historical Society and is on the National Register of Historical Sites.
Windmill at Paradise Valley Park
Albro Woods is a small property just off of East Main Road. The trail is a short loop that follows the perimeter of the property as well as a trail that cuts across the property. The trails at Albro Woods are just about a half mile in distance, however they connect to the longer network of trails that are part of the Sakonnet Greenway. You could easily add several miles to this walk by doing the Middletown Loop Trails. Albro Woods is a good starter walk and for younger kids. Dogs are welcomed but must be leashed.
Albro Woods
Trails & Walks in Rhode Island 