Oak Lawn is the old historical section of Cranston going back at least to the 1670's. As you travel…read moreon Wilbur Avenue, just before you hit Exchange Street, on your right you'll see a small strip of landscaping with bark mulch and shrubs. In this tiny park are a flag pole, a large artillery gun, and a big stone with a plaque. You have just found the Oak Lawn Veterans Memorial. The stone bears a plaque dedicated in 1924 that honors Oak Lawn's veterans that served in World War I and the two that lost their lives. Years later, an addition to the memorial was made in the form of an engraved stone that honors two men of Oak Lawn that were killed in WW II. In 1999, an engraved stone plaque was dedicated by the Providence American Legion to all veterans, and was added to the back of the small garden. It bears the logos of the Armed Services branches. Sadly, this 1999 plaque is in deplorable condition and it's inscription is virtually illegible. What a shame, because the rest of this memorial is in great shape.

Started out today intending to take a short walk just to check out the path and how things are and…read morewhatnot. Expected to go to the first trail marker and turn around and come back. But I pulled a Forest Gump and I just kept running...well walking. Started at the Station Street parking lot and finished at the end of the path/trail at the Railroad Street parking lot. Roundtrip the route is about 15 miles and took me about 4.5 hours, with a couple brief stops along the way. The trail is very well maintained and surprisingly, everyone is cogent of the rules (walkers to the left, riders to the right). You pass by a baseball field, and there is a brook running alongside the trail at various points. Also along the way is a path to Flat River Tavern, and you also pass by an ice cream shop, so there are opportunities along the way for a respite in addition the park benches. Along the way there are also plenty of good views and vibe

Begin from the parking lot located on either side of Station Street, in Coventry, RI, just past the…read morePaine House Museum. If you choose to head east on the Greenway you cross two pedestrian bridges.The first goes over Rt. 117, the second over the south branch of the Pawtuxet River. This second bridge is close to a Trail parking lot on Pilgrim Avenue near Laurel Ave. The Greenway is part of the Washington Secondary Trail and has been designated as the area running through Coventry, RI. Taking this eastward route, you pass by several cemeteries on either side and a conservation area on your right. It is a mostly wooded area passing by a few back yards and has a gentle slope downward. History buffs can follow the path to the east from The Paine House Museum to the General Nathaniel Greene Homestead. Just exit the path at Laurel Avenue (just after the bridge over the Pawtuxet River) and follow Taft Street, just across Laurel Ave and to your right, to the homestead. It's about 3 miles round trip. Leaving Coventry, you can continue to walk east along the path, where you will meet up with Main Street in West Warwick. Here the path turns north then east, then north, then east again as it crosses the river, goes through some very populated areas, and continues through Cranston, RI. If you decide to head west on the path from the Station Street parking lots, you cross Rt. 117 at a crosswalk near a small shop where you can stop to grab a cool drink or ice cream. This way is also wooded, and passes a number of businesses before becoming quite rural. There is a small parking lot to access the trail located behind a new business on Rt. 117 (it's on Google maps) or continue further down the trail where you can also find a parking lot near the Coventry Public Library. If you are looking for a long walk under the trees, this is probably the direction you want to travel. If you love cemeteries and a shorter stroll, heading East could be for you. In either direction, the Coventry Greenway is a very nice section of the Washington Secondary Trail to get into nature without having to walk too far if you don't want to. We often grab the bikes and get in a nice long ride headed toward CT where the trail is renamed the Trestle Trail. It abruptly ends close to the CT line, just past the Summit General Store where you can get a cold drink and a sandwich if you've been on the trail for a while and need a snack. There is a parking lot at this end of the trail as well, but we warned, if you are riding a bike, the return trip to this lot is all up hill. I prefer to start at the other end and coast back. Enjoy!

The house is beautiful and full of original furniture. Our guide Elizabeth was very professional,…read moreknowledgeable and friendly. She loves history and answered all our questions. Enjoyed the tour immensely! I would recommend this tour as a DONT MISS!

Last Friday, we had the pleasure of touring the historic Lippitt House in Providence--and it was…read moreabsolutely amazing! What made the experience truly unforgettable was our guide, Elizabeth Gilbert (not the author of Eat, Pray, Love, but THE Elizabeth Gilbert who brings history to life). Her tour was informative, engaging, and full of fascinating details that transported us straight into the elegance of Victorian times. If you're visiting magical Providence, don't miss this gem. It's a beautiful step back in time, guided by someone who clearly loves what she does.

The Trestle Trail, a section of the Washington Secondary Trail, is a wooded section of 'bike path'…read morethat connects the western end of the Coventry Greenway to the Moosup Valley Trail in CT. It follows an abandoned rail corridor and is part of the East Coast Greenway project which will ultimately link 25 urban cities between Maine and Florida. Well, that sounds like a challenge. We were able to visit on a beautiful autumn afternoon. There were lots of people out enjoying the day. Dog walkers (remember to bring your doggie poop bag to pick up after them please!) bike riders, folks on rollerblades, families, couples. This seems to be a popular outing location. There is a parking spot at 210 Flat River Road, and another, closer to CT, at 51 Hill Farm Road. The trail is paved, with the usual policy of walk on the left, ride on the right meaning you can see the bikes approaching you and get off the road for them to pass if there is no room to go around you. There is also a horse trail running along the sides in this section. From the lot on Hill Farm Road, following the path toward CT, you pass a large pond with small waterfall (which you can hear, but not see as it flows away from the path), then becomes wooded along both sides for quite a while. It does cross over or under a couple of roadways and a few houses but for the most part is a nice walk in the woods. Heading back toward Coventry/Warwick from this same parking lot, the path leads through more populated areas passing behind businesses and homes, although still wooded on one or both sides for a fair amount of time, passing by a camp ground and another lake. There are a couple more places to park along the Washington Secondary Trail path that are closer to town, including near the Coventry Library and behind the Paine House museum on Station Street. This link makes a nice way to commute on your bike within town and a lovely outing for family or place to get in your steps.

I drove from Manhattan to West Warwick, RI a few days before the 20th anniversary of the tragic…read moreStation Nightclub Fire, to record photos and video for a project I created. This is the second time I've visited the memorial: I stopped by here briefly in 2021 as well. I personally had no connections to the victims of the tragedy, as I was a high school senior in Pennsylvania in February 2003 - and I also didn't hear about the fire until after it occurred. Nonetheless, I've always been fascinated at the terrible event which took place on that fatal night in 2003, and wanted to visit the aftermath myself. The park is very simple in its appearance: upon entering the threshold, you're given multiple paths to walk upon, which have markers on the ground to commemorate the victims of the fire. In the center of each module of markers are circular concrete tables embossed with designs of 45 record spindle inserts. At the back of the memorial is a small pavilion with a full timeline of the tragedy, as well as key facts about similar nightclub tragedies such as Cocoanut Grove in Massachusetts. During my visit, I spoke with a man who informed me that he was an emergency room worker on the night of the disaster, and that his hospital was overwhelmed with injured patients to the surprise of the other hospital workers. Even if you have no immediate friends or family involved with the disaster, I recommend you stop by and pay respects. The park is usually quiet during the day, and is located off a main road which is relatively near Interstate 95.

Quick note: the park includes a small parking area and there is a sensor at the entrance that turns…read moreon a light in the pavilion. This light is on a timer, so if it goes off, you will need to walk through the entrance again to turn it back on. People around the world know of the Station Night Club Fire. It's lessons are taught in fire districts throughout the U.S. For years family members have been working to create a memorial to those who lost their lives. Finally the park is completed and I believe it is a fitting tribute. There were many considerations that had to be taken into account when creating this park, not the least of which is the requirements by the state that the park be easily maintained. This park truly gives the aura of a holy place. A place of remembrance. It memorializes each person who lost their lives while out for an evening of enjoyment with friends. Every person has a head stone. Most with a photo, making the loss, of all their futures held, poignant. The pavilion at the back includes a time line. Reading top to bottom, left to right, it describes the history of the building - for example how originally the capacity of the building was about 50 people, and over time how that changed. The events of the fire are recounted starting before the band began to play. It recounts how some people made it out safely, couldn't find their friends, and returned to help them out, never to make it out again. So much heroism. Such sadness. I hope you will visit this memorial. Pay your respects to the departed. Appreciate how one moment can change your life and remember to be thankful for every small thing. No matter how small.

It was so fun even tho I felt like I was gonna die but other than that it is very fun.read more

The West Warwick Greenway is part of the RI Rail Trail/Trestle Trail, the Washington Secondary Bike…read morePath and the East Coast Greenway. All at the same time. Parking to enter the trail at this location is behind Horgan Elementary School, near the public tennis courts and skate park. There is also a red caboose to the east of the parking lot that you can explore. A homage to the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Railroad that once ran along this pathway. Walking or riding to the south and west, the trail leads toward the Coventry Greenway which is often tree covered, passes a couple of ponds, crosses bridges, runs near two historic homes you can tour, at least two cemeteries and a conservation area. This trail ends about six miles before the CT State line in Coventry, RI. Heading to the north and east, leads to downtown West Warwick and offers a more urban excursion. The path often follows the road in this area, crosses some busy streets and is a nice way to access downtown businesses and government offices. Ultimately the north/east direction will lead you into Cranston and further on into downtown Providence. The entire pathway is paved making it an excellent outing for wheelchairs (motorized or otherwise), strollers, walkers, bikes and pedestrians alike. Walk on the left, ride on the right. If you bring your pup, keep it on a leash and take home any 'gifts' they make. There are normally no facilities along the route, but from time to time you will find a port-a-john in a parking area or stop in one of the businesses to buy an ice cream or pop and use their restroom. There are benches placed along the route at uneven intervals and from time to time you'll see old train tracks, a platform, switches and telegraph poles still visible next to the trail. The trails are well maintained with fence repair work and rain mitigation ongoing. The pathways are not cleared of snow and ice and may be closed if the weather has been inclement.