This park is still a solid play for its location and offering, but with more perspective, it's more…read moreconvenient than special. A short drive or long walk from here yields other offerings that typically impress more.

I'm not from Providence so I rate things here based as an out-of-towner. I have a toddler and while…read morein town the family wanted to explore local playgrounds in the nice area around Brown University. Brassil Park is a cute neighborhood playground but certainly not a destination playground like Lippitts Memorial Park or Dexter Field. It needs some landscape pretty badly and the ginkgo trees in the fall smell to high heaven. The stink from these trees' fruit stayed in my nostrils for quite a while after leaving.

Literally so much but such an amazing site to see. This spot is right off the side of the road, and…read moreprobably only has enough spots for 3 cars tops and I'm not lying. You park and there's a bench you can sit and look at the water. There's not many places to walk around but could make for some nice pictures. Above this though is a trail, a walking or bike trail for sure check that out, I've never been on it but I always hear people going over this park. This is a quiet place to just meditate really briefly and then leave, or listen to birds and go about your day. You'll probably miss it, they don't have big signs. But I would check it out if I were you.

Really tiny park... not much to do. The grass is always kempt but the fountain is always empty…read more This is more of a walk thru type of park area.

Daniel Abbott, who donated the land for the Congregational Church next door to this green space…read moregave this small parcel of land for a public square, "in the true New England manner," for the newly established congregation. Providence's oldest dedicated public space, it is little understood as a political statement rejecting Rhode Island's religious freedom and expressing a longing to emulate the theocratic Massachusetts model. Perceived and used as a public space, it is still owned and maintained by Beneficent Congregational Church. I have walked by many times and enjoyed the nice peaceful setting of this cute little park in downtown Providence.

The George Redman Linear Park is really something... especially for those of you that remember the…read morevery narrow and somewhat dangerous old bike lane that used to reside in this very space. The park was officially dedicated during a ceremony back in September 2015 and I for one, am extremely excited to be able to enjoy the space. George Redman was an East Providence resident who was a leading force in the creation of the East Bay Bike Path... a fitting honor. The Linear Park spans the entire 1,800 foot long Washington Bridge and affords ample views of the Seekonk River. Though each end of the bridge is closed in and protected from the highway with tall gating... the middle opens up to wonderful water views that include the East Providence Yacht Club, Brown University's Boat House, and India Point Park (in fact, on my most recent trip, I got a bird's eye view of Brown's Crew team practice). This is a space where both cyclists and foot traffic can live in harmony. The East Bay Bike Path that originates in India Point Park, immediately joins this park via a meandering slope near the Wyndham Garden Providence Hotel. The 11 foot wide path allows cyclists to comfortably maneuver the first of many water crossings on the 14.5 mile trip to Bristol's Colt State Park. This is a massive improvement from the old bike path where two people could barely cross paths walking, never mind biking. The foot traffic has equal if not more space to enjoy within the park. The stamped brick path that delineates this space is separated from the bike path by an unobtrusive chained barrier. There is plenty of seating, a mix of park benches and U-shaped concrete nooks. The street lights give off an old-fashioned vibe and the whole atmosphere is open and inviting. For the most part, the cars from the highway provide an almost "white noise" effect. I myself usually have earbuds in and any distraction the cars could potentially cause is immediately tuned out. As an East Providence resident, I am so grateful to have this space back again (after the 3 years it was under construction). It is a great place to get outside, breath in the fresh air, and be active! It is nice to see so many others doing the same as this warm March month delivers us into spring.

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.

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!

Middletown Valley Park is close to a few hotels that are on Main Street. I was staying at the…read moreHoward Johnson during a trip to Newport. I remember that we loved that this park was so close to our hotel and that we could take walks along paths. We saw a few birds in the brush. There are visual markers with images of the birds that you'll more likely see. Tip: The paths are rocky, so definitely wear sneakers or hiking boots. On our first visit there, I had flats on... I didn't make it very far before going back to the hotel to get proper footwear!

The Davis Park Community Garden provides garden plots to residents of the Smith Hill, Elmhurst, and…read moreValley neighborhoods in the city of Providence, RI. Every year in the Fall, the residents can request a plot for the upcoming planting season and they can grow their own herbs, vegetables or fruits. My husband and I stopped by since he is an avid gardener and he wanted to check out the plots to see if he would be interested in renting one for next year. Garden members can rent plots on a yearly basis. The garden plots vary in size, but most are 4' x 10' and 4' x 8'. Rental fees range from $10 to $50. Members are required to maintain their plots in accordance with common organic gardening practices (no chemical fertilizers or pesticides, no invasive species planted, etc). Work days are held monthly from April to October where members join together to help maintain and improve the garden. Meetings are held in the Fall, Winter and Spring. All gardeners are expected to contribute 4 hours per month to community service projects involving the garden.Garden members are encouraged to volunteer for various jobs and teams that help maintain and improve the garden Garden members help maintain a herb garden, strawberry plot, blueberry bushes, raspberry plants, grape vines, flower beds. Members are entitled to harvest these plants throughout the growing season. The garden maintains a compost bin and finished compost is available for all garden members. Garden funds are used to purchase compost in the Spring to supplement our own compost. The city forestry department provides wood chip mulch free of charge. Two yard hydrants provide water for the garden. The parks department performs major repairs. The garden also provides tools that all members can use to maintain their plot and other areas of the garden. Some of the tools are shovels, cultivators, lawnmowers, string trimmer, and hand tools.