Providence Parks

History

“In his 29 years, the late William “Billy” A. Taylor affected countless children in his Mount Hope neighborhood. He taught them to play chess, bought them pizza, found them jobs, encouraged them to aim high.”
– Alisha Pina, Organization Will Carry on Billy Taylor’s Legacy, Providence Journal, 2013.

“If you didn’t know Billy… this man had a heart of gold. He gave everything, every penny he made, every bit of food he had, he gave back to the young men in this community…”
– Councilman Jackson from Community Health Innovations Rhode Island

“When he graduated, he came and he was working right here in the neighborhood. And he realized that there were a lot of young people living off of Hope, or without Hope. They used to kinda hang out. And he could see that they didn’t know too much about their lives or their world beyond this 12-block radius called the Mount Hope neighborhood…”
– Valerie’s Story in honor of Billy Taylor from Community Health Innovations Rhode Island

Down the block at 185 Camp St. sits the Billy Taylor House, a non-profit in Taylor’s former house that carries on his legacy working to support youth engagement in the neighborhood (“Making a Difference at the Billy Taylor House,” Providence Online, 2013).

Recent Improvements

• Pedestrian bridge over Cypress St renovated in artistic, place-making fashion with ribbon cutting held on May 27, 2025. Artists: Brendan Rose and Ysanel Torres in partnership with the Steelyard.
• Parklets providing pedestrian links to Abbott St and Knowles St/ Duncan Ave were improved in 2025 with landscaping, brush cutting, and new staircase.
• Fencing was upgraded around the upper portion of the park and playground 2024.
• Security cameras were added in 2023.
• Basketball Courts were resurfaced in 2020.

Courts

Basketball

• Two lined regulation courts with partial fence, player benches, lights, bleachers, and breakaway rims
• 94ft x 50ft with High School 3-point line
• Bonus court with ball wall and 6ft rim