PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning will hold two informational workshops this month to gather public input on the draft Rhode Island Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The SCORP will help create improved outdoor opportunities for residents and visitors and prioritize funding for future outdoor recreation projects over the next five years.
"Providing people with places to get outdoors and enjoy nature is part of DEM's core mission, is good for health, fosters our next generation of environmental stewards, and ensures Rhode Island remains a wonderful place to live," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "We encourage residents to participate in these workshops and share their thoughts about the draft plan to create better outdoor opportunities for all Rhode Islanders and visitors."
Partners, stakeholders, and all Rhode Islanders interested in outdoor recreation are invited to participate in the sessions and share their feedback on the draft SCORP. Sessions will be held as follows:
Tuesday, May 21 5:30 p.m. URI Coastal Institute, Hazard Room South Ferry Road, Narragansett
Wednesday, May 22 3 p.m. DEM Headquarters, Room 300 235 Promenade Street, Providence
In March, DEM invited the public to share their thoughts about outdoor recreation preferences and demand via an online survey. The survey was one of the final steps in the public outreach component of the SCORP. From October through January, eight listening sessions were held across Rhode Island to solicit feedback on specific focus areas such as boating/paddling/shoreline access; trails/mountain biking; parks/playground/urban recreation; health; general recreation; and biking. At these sessions, participants shared their thoughts and experiences about what is working, what could be improved, and what is missing in the state's outdoor recreation network.
Enlisting public feedback for the 2019 SCORP update builds upon the work of the Outdoor Recreation Council convened by Governor Raimondo in 2016 to develop an actionable vision for promoting and growing outdoor recreation in Rhode Island. The Council's Final Report highlights the importance of the recreational network to Rhode Island's economic and cultural vitality. Rhode Island is home to a wealth of historic parks, beaches, bikeways, and other recreational facilities. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation in Rhode Island generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 jobs each year. A 2017 study conducted by the University of Rhode Island found that State-managed parks and bikeways alone contribute $311 million to the economy annually and support over 3,700 jobs and nine million visits.
For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit http://www.dem.ri.gov/. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.