Jane’s Walk: Discovering Roger Williams Park

May 5, 2019 @ 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Loading Events

« All Events

  • This event has passed.

Meet at the Monument to Roger Williams (map)
(Located near the Park’s Elmwood Avenue entrance, by Betsey Williams Cottage)

Learn about early Roger Williams Park history and explore some of its landscape and venues – including spaces that are not usually accessible to the public, such as Betsey Williams Cottage – and engage in a lively discussion about the puzzle of urban parks today. Many parks, like Roger Williams Park, were created over a century ago. How do we care for these spaces today? How do we preserve the best of the past while meeting the needs of the future?

This FREE walk is offered as part of Jane’s Walk Providence, an annual weekend-long festival of free, citizen-led walking conversations. Inspired by urban activist Jane Jacobs, Jane’s Walk encourages people to get out and explore their neighborhoods. Unlike typical guided tours, these free walks are led by volunteer citizen guides who share knowledge of their own communities while inspiring participants to think, talk, and connect. Providence is one of more than 200 participating cities with Jane’s Walks around the world, and that number grows every year. Learn more and register for events at http://www.doorsopenri.org/janeswalk2019/.

 

WALK LEADER: Chris AckleyΒ has lived in Providence for over 15 years. He and his family currently reside on the edge of Roger Williams Park and he is a member of the Board of Directors of the Roger Williams Park Conservancy. Whenever possible, Chris is exploring the Park with his two daughters on the lookout for dogs and ducks.

 

Details

A friendly heads up to Park-goers: Maple and Pine avenues at Cladastris Avenue are temporarily closed for approximately 4-6 weeks, limiting vehicle access to Park Avenue via FC Greene Memorial Boulevard. 

This temporary closure makes way for boardwalk construction at Cunliff Lake, a public access project that will enhance recreational opportunities at Roger Williams Park!

During this period, traffic will be detoured to park entrance and exit locations at Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue and Elmwood Avenue. Drivers using the Elmwood Avenue exit will follow Cladastris Avenue to FC Greene Memorial Boulevard to Linden Avenue to Elmwood Avenue south to Park Avenue east. Those using the Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue exit will follow Cladastris Avenue to Montgomery Avenue to Broad Street south to Warwick Avenue south to Park Avenue west.

Pedestrian and bicycle access will remain open. However, visitors are advised to follow posted signage and respect all barriers, as a crane will be active weekdays from 7AM to 3PM.

For updates and more information about the project, follow @pvdparks
Thanks to everyone who came out to the RWP Winter Wonderland this past Saturday! From cookies and hot cocoa to a visit from the big man in red, there was much merry-making to be had! Bundle up and swing by Roger Williams Park any evening this month to see all the twinkling lights. πŸŽ„

Shout out to all of our Park partners for putting on the festive event:

@pvdparks 
@rwpmuseum 
@rwpbotanicalcenter 
@rwpgatewaycenter 
@rwpzoo
Happy #GivingTuesday2025! Did you know that Roger Williams Park Conservancy, with the help of our many wonderful partners, brought more than 50 programs to the Park this year? Help us offer even more free or low-cost, family-friendly events in 2026 with a donation!

@pvd_foodtruckevents 
@pvdfilmfestival 
@providencetourism 
@providenceact 
@cityofprovidence 
@pvdparks 
@ricommerce 
@firstworksri 
@rwpzoo 
@rwpbotanicalcenter
@rwpgatewaycenter 
@rwpmuseum
Translate Β»