Visitors Will Have an Opportunity to Walk the Newly Cleared Grounds of the Park and See the Progress Being Made in the Restoration of this Special Place on the RI Landscape
PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management announces that Rocky Point will be open to the public for the first time in almost two decades on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents and visitors will have an opportunity to explore the grounds and see the progress being made in the redevelopment of Rocky Point as Rhode Island's newest coastal state park at this special public open house. The event will take place rain or shine.
Rocky Point holds many special memories of the past for generations of Rhode Islanders. At the October 25th event, music provided by the Night Life Orchestra will fill the air and refreshments will be available for purchase from food trucks offering many Rhode Island favorites including seafood, hot dogs, shaved ice, specialty coffee, smoothies, cupcakes, Asian delights and Chinese street food. Food trucks were organized by foodtrucksin.com and trucks expected to be at the event include Buddha Belly, Elwoods Dog House, Presto Strango Coffee Truck, Jo-Jo's Cupcakes, The Big Freezy, Rhodies food truck, The Cod Squad, and Fugo food truck.
On Friday, October 24 at 10 a.m., Governor Lincoln Chafee will tour the newly cleared grounds of the park with DEM Director Janet Coit, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, members of Rhode Island's Congressional Delegation, key House and Senate members, representatives of the Rocky Point Foundation and Save the Bay, public officials and others.
The cleanup of the Rocky Point property began in July with the demolition of the Shore Dinner Hall and the Palladium/Windjammer, which were in serious states of deterioration and beyond restoration. Additionally, over 50 summer cottages on the site were also demolished.
DEM acquired 83 acres at the site of the former Rocky Point amusement park in March 2013. This land will be integrated with the 41 acres of shoreline at Rocky Point that was bought by the City of Warwick with the help of state and federal funding in 2007. The future development of Rocky Point Park will be a collaborative process involving many stakeholders and partners including the Rocky Point Foundation and the City of Warwick. The state will seek public-private partnerships to minimize the use of State resources while maximizing return to all, explore federal funding opportunities for parkland development, and build on the success of its partnership with the City of Warwick.
The Rocky Point property has a 150+ year history of being a popular summer attraction for Rhode Islanders and visitors. Over the decades, attractions at Rocky Point have come and gone – nature trails, a ferry pier, an observation tower, hotels, clambakes, restaurants, swimming pool, rides, games, and concerts – but the attraction of 120 acres of land for public use within 10 miles of downtown Providence has been a consistent draw since 1850. In 1995, the operation of Rocky Point as an amusement park ceased.
Directions from Providence: From Rt. 95 South take Exit 14B-A, then merge left onto Rt. 37 East towards Warwick. Take Exit 5A onto Post Road and follow to Airport Road. Turn left onto Airport Road and follow for 1.5 miles until you reach Warwick Avenue. Turn right onto Warwick Avenue and follow to West Shore Road. Turn left onto West Shore Road, and then right onto Warwick Neck Avenue. Turn left onto Rocky Point Avenue and follow to the end. Turn left onto Palmer Avenue and drive through the entrance gates on your right.