Archive for the ‘ ~NORTH PROVIDENCE RI~ ’ Category

Olney Memorial Park – North Providence

  • Captain Stephen Olney Memorial Park
  • Smithfield Road, North Providence, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°51’21.07″N, 71°27’5.89″W
  • Last Time Hiked: October 22, 2015
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1.0 miles
  • Easy with some elevation.

Captain Stephen Olney was a soldier in the American Revolution and later a member of the Rhode Island General Assembly. He was a lifelong resident of North Providence and had built a house along Smithfield Road that still stands adjacent to this park. The park is on a piece of property that spans along a hill between Smithfield Road and High Service Avenue almost across from Fatima Hospital. The park consists of several ball fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and a hill for sledding. There is a paved walking path that connects most of these features of the park. The walking path also passes a small pond before reaching the top of the hill. At the top of the hill there are a set of wooden stairs that lead down to a nature trail. The nature trail leads back to the walking path. Following both the walking path and nature trail will provide for a walk just under a mile. The property also features a historical cemetery in which members of the Olney family rest.

Walking Path On A Fall Day

Walking Path On A Fall Day

Notte Park/Camp Meehan – North Providence/Lincoln

  • Governor John Notte Memorial Park/Camp Meehan
  • Douglas Pike, North Providence, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°52’15.85″N, 71°27’37.01″W
  • First Time Hiked: March 21, 2015
  • Last Time Hiked: November 22, 2015
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1.5 miles
  • Fairly easy with some elevation.

 

The Boy Scouts of Troop 5-North Providence in September of 2015 completed the new trail system here at Governor Notte Park. There are now over two miles of trails on the property that features ball fields and tennis courts. This hike, about a mile and a half, features most of the parks highlights. Starting from the parking area by the Recreation Offices for the Town of North Providence (Building 2), a set of stairs leads away from the parking lot and uphill into the woods. There is almost immediately a trail junction. I continued straight following the blue square blazes of the West River Trail. This trail climbs uphill for a bit passing a narrow trail to the left. Near the top of the hill there is a narrower trail to the right. This is the continuation of the West River Trail. It hugs the North Providence/Lincoln town line. Turn here, passing a trail on the left, and follow the West River Trail as it crests over a hill, passing stone walls, and then descends to a crossing at the river. After crossing the boardwalk bridge the trail does a small loop and returns to the boardwalk bridge. From here retrace your steps back over the hill and turn right at the blue triangle blazed trail with signage to Camp Meehan. Following this trail will lead you downhill to a parking area near the pavilion. There is a paved road to the right that leads to Angell Road. For this hike however, I stayed slightly to the left passing the pavilion and started heading down the path that leads from the pavilion to the beach that overlooks the Wenscott Reservoir. Passing the beach towards the bridge the parks paths split. Stay to the left and follow the path that leads downhill and around the ball field. Stop to take a look at the bridge that crosses a dam and waterfall. Continuing, there are white square blazes along this path that will lead you back to the parking area where the hike began. No dogs are allowed on this property.

 

I did not find a trail map on-line.

Bridge Crossing The Dam And Waterfall

Bridge Crossing The Dam And Waterfall

Peter Randall Reservation – North Providence

  • Peter Randall Reservation
  • Smithfield Road, North Providence, RI
  • Trailhead: 41°52’5.29″N, 71°28’19.15″W
  • Last Time Hiked: June 21, 2013
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1 mile
  • Easy with slight elevation.

 

The Peter Randall Reservation is a former state park that is now owned by the Town of North Providence. At one time it was used for a picnic area. Now it is a series of abandoned asphalt and gravel roads with some side trails used mainly by locals and geocachers. It is nicely wedged into a suburban neighborhood and is slightly reminiscent of Neutaconkanut Hill in Providence, but on a much smaller scale. I did not follow any particular route as this was more of an exploration hike. I do believe I covered just about the mile of trails in the reservation. There is a small parking area on Smithfield Road.

I did not find a trail map online for this location.

Peter Randell Reservation

Peter Randall Reservation