Archive for the ‘ ~PROVIDENCE RI~ ’ Category

Pleasant Valley Parkway – Providence

                                                                            

 

A lesser know version of the Blackstone Boulevard (and slightly shorter), Pleasant Valley Parkway offers a stroll along a combination of paved paths, gravel paths, and some street walking. The linear park wedged between the two roads of Pleasant Valley Parkway runs from behind Roger Williams Hospital to Academy Avenue. A drainage swale/stream runs down the center of the park with a couple pedestrian bridges that cross it. There is also a variety of trees within the park that you would not normally come upon in other spots of the city. The walk out and back is just under a mile and a half.

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Walking Path at Pleasant Valley Parkway

2022
08/20
CATEGORY
Pleasant Valley Parkway
~1 to 2 Miles~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
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Swan Point River Trail – Providence

Swan Point Cemetery is a well known walking site. Many do not realize that there is actually a three quarter of a mile trail here that runs along the Seekonk River. The trail starts at Swan Point (proper) at the end of River Road. This road is a locally named road part of the cemetery layout and not the River Road that is by Blackstone Park. From Swan Point, you can follow the trail north with the river to the right and a high hill to the left. The trail comes to another road at about two tenths of a mile. Continuing ahead the trail will pass a small grove of mountain laurel before it eventually ends at a cul-de-sac at Stony Point. The second section can be a bit muddy at times. From here retrace your steps back to Swan Point.

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Along The Swan Point River Trail

2021
03/27
CATEGORY
Swan Point River Trail
~1 to 2 Miles~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
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Dexter Training Ground – Providence

 

In the West End of Providence is the Dexter Training Ground. Situated behind the iconic Cranston Street Armory, this city park offers a playground, dog park, and walkways. The property has some history as it served as a training ground during the Civil War and camp site during World War I for troops waiting to be deployed. The perimeter of the park offers a half mile walk. Note also the architecture of the old houses in the neighborhood.

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Cranston Street Armory.

2020
03/15
CATEGORY
Dexter Training Ground
~1 Mile or Less~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
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Big Lakes Trail – Providence

  • Big Lakes Trail – Roger Williams Park
  • Cladrashs Avenue, Providence, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°47’3.52″N, 71°24’44.76″W
  • Last Time Hiked: June 24, 2019
  • Approximate distance hiked: 3.6 miles
  • Easy.

 

The longest of the five marked trails at Roger Williams Park winds around the parks large lakes offering several nice views and plenty of opportunities to see birds. Being a loop you can start almost anywhere, but for this walk we started at the boathouse. The trail is well marked with white diamonds painted on sidewalks where posts are not available. From the boathouse, head east (away from the carousel), and cross the street at a crosswalk. The trail enters a wooded section along Cunliff Lake winding up and over a small hill before coming to the Temple to Music. This structure was built in 1924 and hosts concerts as well as other events. Continuing to follow the white blazes leads to a 600 foot section of road walking before the trail turns left into the woods and joins the yellow blazed Temple View Trail. The white blazed trail soon bears to the right and up hill coming to the back side of a baseball field, then left into the woods again before re-emerging to a grassy area at the southern end of the park. From here the trail swings around Elm Lake and begins to head north. This long stretch now follows the shores of Elm Lake, Cunliff Lake once again, and Edgewood Lake before coming to another road crossing.  After crossing the road the trail then hugs the shore of Pleasure Lake before coming to a pedestrian bridge that leads you back to the boathouse. The lakes are home to swans, geese, herons, egrets, and ducks. Several songbirds also dwell in the shrubs and bushes nearby. Turtles can be seen here as well, likely sunbathing on small fallen trees and branches stretching into the lakes. The shores are also usually occupied by people fishing for bass and sunfish. The park is also home to the Carousel Village and the Roger Williams Park Zoo. One could plan an entire day at the park!

 

Map can be found at: Big Lakes Trail.

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Temple To Music From The Opposite Shore.

2019
06/26
CATEGORY
**BEST OF TRAILS AND WALKS**
Big Lakes Trail
~3 to 5 Miles~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
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Bluff To Bluff Trail – Providence

  • Bluff To Bluff Trail – Roger Williams Park
  • F.C. Greene Memorial Boulevard, Providence, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°47’12.91″N, 71°24’49.34″W
  • Last Time Hiked: June 2, 2019
  • Approximate distance hiked: 1.0 miles
  • Fairly easy with some slight elevation.

 

The aptly named Bluff To Bluff Trail spans from the Natural History Museum to the Casino and includes the valley below. The red blazed walking path, almost entirely of paved or concrete walkways, winds downhill from across the Natural History Museum toward Willow Lake. After crossing the street at the Seal House, the trail follows Roosevelt Lake for a bit before climbing uphill and then it continues to the left crossing the Lovers Retreat Bridge before coming to the Casino. The trail then loops back to the Lovers Retreat Bridge and veers to the left to the Betsey Williams Cottage. After the cottage the trail winds to the right and downhill crossing the street and then follows the shore of Polo Lake. After crossing the street once again the trail meanders uphill and loops opposite the Roger Williams Park Zoo entrance. This section includes a short section of grass that follows the edge of the road. The remainder of the trail will bring you back to the opposite of the road from the Natural History Museum. Be sure to take your time enjoying the views of the lakes. They are havens for birds.

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Mountain Laurel Blooming Along The Bluff To Bluff Trail

2019
06/02
CATEGORY
Bluff To Bluff Trail
~1 to 2 Miles~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
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Woonasquatucket River Bike Path – Providence/Johnston

  • Fred Lippett Woonasquatucket River Greenway Bike Path
  • Allepo Street, Providence, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°49’11.31″N, 71°26’52.80″W
  • Last Time Hiked: May 11, 2019
  • Approximate distance hiked: 4.8 miles
  • Easy.

 

Since the 1990’s the Onleyville section of Providence has been going through a revitalization and part of it has been the development of the Greenway. Merino Park, Donigian Park, and the most recently Riverside Park have been refurbished and reopened. The highlight of the Greenway is the 2.4 mile bike path from the outskirts of Onleyville, through Manton, and into Johnston. Starting at Allepo Street at Riverside Park in the shadows of the iconic Onleyville towers of the Atlantic Mills, the bike winds along side the river and through the park. Here is a community garden, a dam and waterfall, and a bike shop. The bike path then slowly climbs uphill meeting with the pedestrian bridge that leads to Merino Park. The bike then winds down hill and follows the bustling Route 6 for a bit passing the bike paths famous mural. The river at this point crosses under the highway.  The bike then starts to pull away from the highway and the river rejoins on the left just before passing under Glenbridge Avenue. From here on the bike path becomes much quieter as it pulls away from the city. Soon on the right is the Manton Gateway, a section of bike path that leads to the Manton neighborhood. There is also a skate park along that stretch. Continuing ahead the bike path crosses over the river. You are now entering Johnston. The Button Hole Golf Course is now on the left and the river is to the right. Just ahead is an access path to Hedley Avenue. Continuing ahead the bike path follows the river to Greenville Avenue. Use caution crossing here as this is a very busy street. After the crossing the bike path continues a little over a half mile to its terminus at Lyman Avenue. Along the way at the Goldsmith Street crossing take a peek at Manton Pond and its fish ladder by following Goldsmith north a few feet and then turning right following the path to the dam. After reaching the end of the bike path retrace your steps back to Onleyville for a roundtrip walk of nearly 5 miles.

 

Map can be found at: Woonasquatucket River Bike Path

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The Bike Path Crossing the Woonasquatucket River at the Providence/Johnston Border.

2019
05/12
CATEGORY
Woonasquatucket River Bike Path
~3 to 5 Miles~
~JOHNSTON RI~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
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American Locomotive – Providence

 

The American Locomotive Works Complex once produce steam locomotives that were (and still are) used all over the country. The buildings were vacant for several years after the company cease to exist. In recent years the complex has been revitalized. There is also a publicly accessed walking path from Eagle Street to the parking area along Hemlock Street that follows the shore of the Woonasquatucket River along side the old factory buildings. The walk out and back is just about three quarters of a mile. Public parking is available at the end of the parking lot accessible from 10 Eagle Street (US Rubber Lofts).

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Walking Through Yesteryear.

2019
03/31
CATEGORY
American Locomotive
~1 Mile or Less~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
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Hawthorne Trail – Providence

 

Starting from the parking lot for the tennis courts along Hawthorne Avenue , this trail, all paved sidewalks and walks follows the road towards the ball parks and winds downhill to the park entrance at Broad Street. Switching sides of the road, the trail then follows a paved path that winds through a grassy area before passing the Juan Pablo Duarte statue. Just after the Haitian Independence Memorial the trail crosses the road once again back to the parking area.

TWRI-RWP-HW02

Hawthorne Trail at Roger WIlliams Park

2019
03/24
CATEGORY
Hawthorne Trail
~1 Mile or Less~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
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Roosevelt Lake – Providence

  • Roosevelt Lake Trail – Roger Williams Park
  • Cladrastis Avenue, Providence, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°46’59.22″N, 71°24’53.69″W
  • Last Time Hiked: March 17, 2019
  • Approximate distance hiked: 0.8 miles
  • Easy.

 

Starting from the parking lot of the Carousel Village follow the blue blazes toward the pond. This trail, all on concrete and asphalt walks, follows the shore of Roosevelt lake passing the Williams Family Cemetery, the Bandstand, the Casino, the Seal House, and the Japanese Garden. A stroll through the Japanese Garden adds a little more distance to the posted 0.57 miles.

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The Bandstand and Casino Along Roosevelt Lake

2019
03/17
CATEGORY
Roosevelt Lake
~1 Mile or Less~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
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Temple View Trail – Providence

  • Temple View Trail – Roger Williams Park
  • F.C. Greene Memorial Boulevard, Providence, RI
  • Trailhead:  41°46’37.83″N, 71°24’51.31″W
  • First Time Hiked: March 16, 2019
  • Last Time Hiked: November 25, 2021
  • Approximate distance hiked: 0.5 miles
  • Easy.

The aptly named Temple View Trail is one of several shorter blazed trails at Roger Williams Park. The yellow blazed trail is a quarter of a mile (half mile out and back) to the end of an esker that juts out into Cunliff Lake in the heart of the park. The trail is flanked on both sides by lakes and is lined with several birch trees. At the end of the trail is a great view of the Temple of Music across the lake.

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End Of The Trail

2019
03/17
CATEGORY
Temple View Trail
~1 Mile or Less~
~PROVIDENCE RI~
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