Drivers advised that 3.2 mile greenway will introduce one-way vehicular traffic in sections of park
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza and the Providence Parks Department today announced that in an effort to increase free outdoor recreation opportunities in Roger Williams Park, the City will unveil a new 3.2 mile greenway loop on June 1, 2017. The greenway, which features designated tracks for biking, walking and or running, vehicular travel, and parking will also introduce park visitors to a new one-way vehicular traffic pattern along most areas of the loop.
“Roger Williams Park is the crown jewel of our parks department and this greenway will make it even more of an attraction,” said Mayor Elorza. “With the recent array of enhancements, we are encouraging folks to come out and explore one of Rhode Island’s best public parks.”
The introduction of the greenway follows a series of community meetings held by the City’s Parks and Planning Departments in the Roger Williams Park and in surrounding Cranston and Providence communities to solicit feedback on the initial proposal. The final design of the greenway reflects that feedback.
Visitors planning to travel to and or around Roger Williams Park are advised that all vehicular traffic along Pine Hill Avenue to Park Avenue, to the Montgomery Avenue Rotary, is now a one-way. Vehicles entering at any of the streets feeding onto Frederick C. Green Memorial Boulevard, from Park Avenue to Montgomery Rotary, will only be permitted to turn right onto Frederick C. Green Memorial Boulevard.
The addition complements recent outdoor recreation enhancements in the park, including the establishment of two (2) new trails; the addition of an off-road bike area; softball field improvements; and baseball field concession stand repairs. A picnic area adjacent to the loop will also be opened in August 2017.
The best place to access the greenway is at the end of the new 185 space Park and Bike lot on Maple Avenue. To help visitors navigate the new routes, the way is marked by new signage, striping and in some areas, physical delineators. All travelers should allow extra travel time to accommodate the changes and are reminded that the speed limit throughout the park is 15 miles per hour.
Visitors are also advised that other travel restrictions apply in the park. No full-size buses with or without passengers, or 2-axles trucks over 2 tons, are allowed on Cladrastis Avenue over Polo Lake or on the Bridge on Frederick C. Green Memorial Boulevard over Edgewood Lake, near the Botanical Center. All trucks delivering to Roger Williams Park venues, as well as buses, must strictly adhere to the truck route.
For questions, residents and visitors are encouraged to contact the Mayor’s Center for City Services at City Hall by dialing 3-1-1 or by downloading the PVD311 mobile application now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.