Market Square is an urban park, square, meeting place in Providence. It is located at the…read moreintersection of North Main Street and College Street at the base of College Hill. Market Square has historically functioned as a commercial, civic, and cultural locus of Providence. The square's origin goes back to a 1738 order by the Providence Town Council, which established a highway 123 feet in width, extending from Towne Street (now South Main Street) to the Great Bridge. In 1744, a Haymarket was organized at the site, establishing the square as a local center of commerce. Market House, which was constructed between 1773 and 1775. is the focal structure of Market Square. On March 2, 1775, Providence residents, inspired by the then-recent Boston Tea Party, gathered in Market Square to protest the Tea Act. The colonists heaped a large pile of English tea in the center of the square, covering the mound with a barrel of tar and lighting it ablaze. As the commercial hub of colonial Providence, Market Square has been suggested as the likely site of slave sales, which constituted a significant portion of commerce in the 18th century city. The identification of the site as a slave market, however, has not been confirmed. Market House was acquired by the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in 1948; Market Square is currently surrounded by the school's urban campus. During Waterfire nights, this square is used frequently for private events, catering events and/or vendors.

The small urban park was designed as a memorial to Robert E. Freeman (1948-1992), the former…read more executive director of the Providence Foundation, where he was committed to revitalizing the downtown Providence business district. It's located next to the Hotel Providence and across from Grace Church, so it's a nice place to relax when you are shopping on Westminster street. The Park is just a few hundred square feet in size, but it contains a distinctive fountain sculpture with benches and tables spread across it. These features along with the identity that the Robert E. Freeman Park name represents have created opportunities for surrounding business and allowed it to cultivate a great deal of activity. Many events have taken place in the park as well as a central meetup place for many groups.

On Blackstone Boulevard stands a bronze statue of a young woman striding with heroic confidence and…read morefeminine grace, her hair blown by the wind. She looks like she has stepped out of a myth. Inscribed in the statue's granite base: "THE WIND ROARS BY I FEEL IT BLOW AND KNOW THAT I AM FREE TO GO CONSTANCE WITHERBY" Hundreds of people pass the statue every day. Very few know the deeply moving story of Constance Witherby, Lincoln School Class of 1930. Constance Witherby was born in Solvay, New York, on September 5, 1913 to Dorothy Hazard Witherby and Edwin Chaplin Witherby. The family lived at 233 Medway Street in an enormous mansion that is no longer standing. Their home, a short walk to Lincoln School, looked across Waterman Street to open fields and the Seekonk River beyond. At Lincoln, Constance distinguished herself as an outstanding student with particular interests in writing and drama. She began contributing to the "Lincoln Green" in June 1924, with a short prose sketch titled "The Old Curiosity Shop." Constance published poetry and short fictional sketches in every issue of the twice-yearly "Lincoln Green" through June 1929. She acted in theatrical productions beginning in seventh grade, including the "Shakespeare Play," an annual upper school event, in 1928 (The Taming of the Shrew) and 1929 (Twelfth Night). As a sophomore, she played on the class baseball and basketball teams. She was described as vivacious, thoughtful and outgoing. Constance was a normal, regular girl as well as a child of privilege. Letters to her parents demonstrate unusually strong writing talent, as well as her love for her family and especially for her mother. In June 1929, following her junior year, Constance traveled to Europe with Hazard family cousins. The main purpose of the trip was to climb in the Alps--not an unusual activity for girls of her age and class. By August, Con and her family members were in Saas Fee, a small village reachable only on foot and horseback. Her letters from Switzerland are precocious in their descriptions of the landscape, reflecting her joy and exuberance in the stunning, majestic natural setting of the Alps. She was inspired to write poems from, and about, Saas Fee. On August 27, after a hike no different than previous outings, Con felt tired in the evening. The next morning she awoke with a slight fever which was assessed as a cold; but over the next several days, her condition worsened. She was medically diagnosed with a failing heart, attributed to strain from hiking. Constance Witherby passed away on the afternoon of August 30, 1929. She was not yet sixteen. Following a service in a small "English church" in the village, Constance was buried in Saas Fee. To preserve and honor her memory, her parents acquired the plot of land between Waterman and Pitman Streets opposite their Medway Street home; it was landscaped and dedicated as Constance Witherby Park, and donated to the city of Providence. The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Her parents also commissioned a bronze statue by Gail Sherman Corbett, a celebrated sculptor of the time. The statue, completed in 1933, was not intended to be a likeness of Constance, but rather to embody "The Spirit of Youth." Originally situated in Constance Witherby Park, the statue was moved in 1992 to its current location. It is listed in the Smithsonian's Inventory of American Sculpture. Anyone taking a short walk from Lincoln School up Blackstone Boulevard will find the statue, sheltered in a little grove of evergreens, where Clarendon Street joins the Boulevard. I have biked around this area many times and enjoyed seeing the nice statue and learning about the story behind it....it makes it so much more meaningful.

This cute little square in the Fox Point section of Providence is known to many locals and…read moreresidents as a nice little place to relax while walking in the area. Fenner Square's name commemorates Rhode Island's 4th Governor Arthur Fenner and his son, Rhode Island Governor and Senator James Fenner. Initially known as "What Cheer Farm," the Fenner estate extended from Hope Street and Power Street to the Seekonk River in the early 17th century. Close to the park was a horse stable and the workers there would walk the horses around the triangular plot of land, which was then known as "Heater Park" (Preservation RI). Fenner Square had fallen into disrepair a few years ago...then about 5 years ago, a group of neighbors wanted to bring the surrounding community together and transformed it into the picturesque gathering place that it is today. They started weeding and pruning, creating space for the roses. They added a brick path and with help from the city's tree planting program, created shade for sitting. With a bucket brigade from a nearby house, the neighbors creatively figured out a way to water the plants without a formal water source. Since then, painted stones and thank you letters have cropped up at the park. It is an unexpected encounter for the ordinary passersby. Couples will sit on the benches and occasionally the neighbors will host community gatherings throughout the summer. A scenic plaza at the intersection of Governor and Williams streets, now Fenner Square is the perfect spot for a pleasant stroll or outdoor picnic. We have enjoyed many lazy afternoons here.

Went back to Gano Park last week for the first time in a few years. I still enjoy being there and…read morelove walking on the dock before heading to India Point Park. We Parked at Waterman Grille and used the pathway near the Salvation Army. Do not do this, there is a disgusting tent city along the way. I understand now why Eastside Market Place went out of business.

Gano Park is about 10 acres in size and it includes ball fields, a soccer field, basketball courts,…read morea community garden, a dog park, and a bike path, which was installed in 2017. The community garden, built in the 1990s, marks the first community garden in a Providence park. The baseball field is home to the East Side-Fox Point Little League and the softball field was once home to the world famous fast-pitch softball team Local 57, a semi-professional team of operating engineers named for the union located on Gano Street. The mural on the ballfield was created by local artist, Jay West. Since the banks of the Seekonk River once came up to Gano Street, the park sits on land fill that the city put down in the early 20th century. The basketball court complex is named after well revered community activist, John "Johnny" Britto. Johnny devoted his life to helping the youth in the community and greater Providence, particularly through his work at the Fox Point Boys & Girls Club. It's a nice play to watch the kids play sports or just to stroll around the river, nice area....

I appreciate this expanding greenway in downtown Providence. Gardens, walking paths and memorials…read morehave been installed over the years and the 195 District park takes you closer to Fox Point. Enter the walkway from Dyer St and on your right, cross the newly opened little bridge parallel to the river. You are now on the Urban Coastal Greenway to Point St. Park. Or, walk straight, cross the pedestrian bridge over the river, turn right and follow the walkway to a new open greenspace. Either way, these new segments of the East Coast Greenway bring green spaces, places to bike, walk, meet up, and be with nature by a running river. There are plans to bring even more food vendors to the park during warm months on the west side of the river by Dyer St. This is in addition to the food trucks that park on the east side by the pedestrian bridge already. Beer? Coffee? Music? Snack? This park is becoming the place to be.

This 7-acre park is located right on the Providence River. The Michael S. Van Leesten Bridge…read moreconnects the East and West portion of the park. There are many events that occur there. Currently, The Guild PVD Beer Garden and various food trucks are there from May to October. There is also an ice cream vendor. The park connects with Point Street Park. The whole area is beautiful and well kept. A fun place to take a stroll, get some food nearby since it's central to everything, or food from the food truck, beers, and ice cream for dessert. When the weather is nice, this park is a great place to visit with beautiful views of the river and cityscape.

A whole lot of…read morefields Swansea Memorial Park is frequently called Veterans Memorial Park or occasionally Town Park. The park is a vast area that includes a variety of different baseball, softball, and soccer fields. The local Little League as well as other groups have games here during the summer months. The park also has a nice playground in addition to basketball and tennis courts. All the facilities are in excellent condition and the entire complex is very well maintained. It gets crowded during the summer months when Little League games are being played, but there is plenty of parking. The park is very safe and has lots of families use it but on a couple of occasions I did see what appeared to be high school or even younger kids drinking, smoking and being quite rowdy by the wooded area. Curiously they seemed to be taking pictures of each other in curious and rather licentious poses and didn't seem bothered that groups of people were fairly close. But they didn't seem to be a danger to anyone but themselves. Despite the young knuckleheads, the park is an excellent place to play or watch some sports. And no matter what you call the park, the wide variety of facilities assures that there is something for everyone here.

This town park has a lot going on…read more Located behind the community/rec center are several baseball diamonds, basketball courts, a skate park, several tennis courts and a couple of playgrounds. All the facilities look well maintained. The town organizes pickleball meet-ups, basketball lessons, summer camp, community events with food trucks and more. Check the webpage for a list of upcoming events. Kid and adult baseball leagues play here as well. Definitely worth a stop by to check out the facilities. A good amount of parking is available near the tennis courts. You can also walk in from the Coventry Greenway bike path. There are two newer playground areas, one larger than the other and a couple a picnic tables are on the property as well.