At the corner of Branch Avenue and Charles Street, Hopkins Square was a neighborhood square that…read morehas more recently become a park. Many call it St Ann's Park, many call it Hopkins Square. It's about an acre in area. The square is named after Esek Hopkins (the only Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War) and functioned as the Hopkins family burial ground for many years before the city moved it to the North Burial Grounds. The square also includes a prominent statue of Esek Hopkins. Like many statues throughout the city, it is made from stone cast at the former Gorham factory, a sprawling 37-acre industrial plant once located in Elmwood. It's nice to stroll around and combine a relaxing green setting with some US history.

Perrotti Park is close to the Newport Marriott, where I was staying for a conference. It's a small…read morepark by the water/harbor where you can go for nice walks and look at all the boats. A very New England-y experience for free!

This is such a lovely park, and always a stop when my family and I go to Newport. You can take a…read morewalk around the harbor or just relax on the benches and watch the water and boats of the nearby harbors. Great for photos too! Although some mention it is small, it feels spacious and big compared to the congested tiny Newport city center streets. Indeed, this park is a quiet and a welcome break from the crowds. Always nice to stroll around here during the daytime or evening.

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 beach is well positioned for a great sunrise. I came during cold December and there were alot…read moreof locals that come here for sunrise to catch a vibe. A couple even went into the water. This beach is also near Sachuest point wildlife refuge, which is a great place to go after the sunrise. I would totally come back. 10 out of 10 would recommend.

Third Beach is special. It's a a smaller beach with soft sand and calm waters. It's great for young…read morechildren as there are no waves. It's very quiet and relaxed place. It's Parking is tricky as there are not a ton of spaces. Go enjoy "Third".

If you are a National Park visitor and want to get your book stamped, this beautiful urban park in…read moredowntown Providence is a great choice. Open from 10a-4p Thursday to Sundays, it offers a video of the origins of the city of Providence as well as a seasoned tour guide inside with lots of answers for any questions you might have for him. The park grounds have lot of benches and places for a picnic under shady trees. Definitely a respite of tranquility and shade in the busy downtown area.

This is a lovely little historic park in Providence. It offers an interesting glimpse into the life…read moreof Roger Williams and the founding of Rhode Island. There are also many beautiful historic buildings facing the park and lovely, shaded, albeit short walking paths in the park. Williams was a visionary who was banished from Massachusetts because of his religious beliefs. He wanted to establish a community where people could worship freely, guided by their own conscience and without government interference. In 1636, he founded Providence on those principles. Williams also supported freedoms for women that were unusual at the time. Women could follow their own religious beliefs, and two of Providence's first nine landowners were women, something rarely seen in colonial America. His ideas about religious freedom were reflected in Rhode Island's Royal Charter of 1663. They also helped lay the foundation for the religious liberties later protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The park has many interesting signs about Roger Williams and the founding of Providence. Free parking is available for visitors for up to two hours, and this small 4.5-acre park is well worth a quick visit.

Absolutely in love with this area. So many trails, so many miles, so much solitude. A pure gem in…read moreRhode Island. Easily accessible parking for several cars on the east side of Tillinghast Pond. There's a compost outhouse, a luxury at the start and end of a long hike. Options are plentiful in terms of trails. My hiking buddy and I opted for a figure 8 path around Tillinghast Pond Loop and Flintlock Loop. Considered adding Coney Brook Loop but decided 6 miles was enough for the morning. Lovely that there's the opportunity to combines these trails with miles more in the Wickaboxet lands to amp up the distance without repetition. That's 13 miles of water views, hay fields, glacial boulders, 1800s homesteads, historic cemeteries, pine and oak forests, and an abundance of wildlife. Beaver activity, dragonflies galore, berry bushes, flowering lily pads, blue herons, and more just during this first visit! Some areas of overgrowth on the trails (the blueberry bushes on Flintlock for example are encroaching) but for the most part, there's reprieve on the wider sections that prevail. A nice observation deck is available on the pond with some other glens that offer stunning views with bench seating. A great place for a snack and for the breeze coming off the water. Be mindful of ticks, they are very much prevalent here. The humans escaped unscathed but our furry companion can attest. Overall, a beautiful, remote, absolutely worth visiting time and time again. May bring the kayaks next time! Couple spots to launch from!

Easy non-challenging walking/running trail. The East Greenwich cross-country team trains on it, so…read moreit's a very easy to follow 1.5 mile loop. It skirts by Fry Brook which is peaceful enough, despite the intrusive traffic noise from the nearby highway. There's also a little workout area midway through the trail. Good for a quick stroll or dog walk.

Decent athletic Field in Pawtucket for football, soccer, softball, and the like. Has a couple…read moredrains, but can get muddy. There are no lights, so day activity only. Decent amount of parking.