Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Mayor Brett P. Smiley was joined by Councilman John Goncalves, Superintendent of Parks Wendy Nilsson, Director of Art, Culture and Tourism Joe Wilson Jr., representatives from the Providence Tourism Council, Alexis Gorriarán and Shannon Keating, Co-Director of Chroma Council, an artist-led production company, Linsey Wallace, local artists participating in the Riverwalk Mural Project, community partners including the Downtown Providence Parks Network, and neighbors today to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new kiosk and amenities at Biltmore Park, new performance area and ADA accessible bathrooms at Waterplace Park.
The ribbon-cutting celebration marks the completion of a series of improvements to Downtown parks, highlighted by the opening of the new Kiosk at Biltmore Park. The Kiosk will operate daily from 9:00AM to 9:00PM and serve as a Downtown visitor and information center, providing information about local attractions, events and activities while also offering local food, beverages, merchandise and other amenities.
“Providence is at its best when our parks are active, accessible, welcoming and provide space for our residents, visitors and families to come together,” said Mayor Brett Smiley. “These improvements at Biltmore Park, Waterplace Park and along the Riverwalk do just that, and reflect our City’s commitment to ensuring we create public spaces that showcase local artists, support the community and provide programming throughout this summer and beyond.”
Additional Park enhancements include new signage, outdoor games, family-friendly play amenities, improved pathways, upgraded gathering and performance spaces and a new ADA-accessible bathroom facility at Waterplace Park. Together, these investments reflect the City’s ongoing commitment to enhancing, activating, and revitalizing downtown Providence while creating welcoming public spaces for all.
The event also served as the official launch of the Riverwalk Mural Project, a collaborative public art initiative that will transform portions of the downtown Riverwalk with vibrant, locally inspired artwork. The City recognized the downtown partners, community organizations, and local artists whose creativity, vision, and collaboration are helping bring these projects to life and further strengthen downtown Providence as a destination for arts, culture, and community engagement.
Attendees also learned about the robust lineup of summer programming taking place throughout downtown parks and at the Providence Rink, including the recent award of a $25,000 grant from the Frederick W. Petri Foundation to support youth programming at the rink and surrounding parks.
Biltmore Park will remain active throughout the FIFA World Cup with soccer themed games, vending and activities for residents and visitors.
On Friday, June 12, Providence will also host a Ghanaian celebratory festival, Taste of Ghana, at Biltmore Park as part of Team Ghana’s arrival to Rhode Island. The event will feature a Ghanaian food vendor market, Team Ghana merchandise for sale by UniSport Soccer, and live music. This celebration will include a Ghana flag raising at City Hall and an evening of festivities in Downtown Providence, including PVD World Music presenting Music from Ghana: Kotoko Brass at Biltmore Park as the headliner for Taste of Ghana. Finally, the WaterFire Basin lighting will end the day.