Providence Parks

The Latest

Improvements underway in 2026 to Field 1

Install Scoreboard, foul ball netting, infield sod and irrigation

History

The current park is roughly 1/3 of the original park land when the family of Thomas Davis donated their estate to the City of Providence in 1891. Davis lived on Chalkstone Avenue but had his “summer home” on what is now Davis Park. Born in Kilkenny, Ireland, Davis was the first Irishman from Rhode Island to be elected to Congress. Serving on Congress from 1853-1855, Davis was a vocal abolitionist and opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act. In Rhode Island, Davis was a successful jewelry manufacturer and became relatively wealthy.

Until 1948, Davis Park was the city’s primary neighborhood park, resembling something more like how Roger Williams Park is today. Various events took place there because it was spacious and centrally located. At the end of the summer, it hosted youth from all over the city with a variety of games and competitions. In 1948, the federal government took the park land by eminent domain and built the Veterans Administration Hospital. Davis Park, which became much smaller as a result, is leased to the Parks Department by the Veterans Administration.

Approximately one-quarter mile of bike path / greenway runs through Davis Park, from Valley St to Chalkstone Ave. One loop on the walking path around the playground and small open field- past the basketball court and community garden- is approximately one-tenth of a mile.

Recent Improvements

• Second field renovated in Spring 2026 by the Parks Department’s Ballfield Crew.
• Playground renovations completed June 2025 including new and replacement play features, and new shade sail.
• The basketball court was revitalized in 2022 as a MyHomeCourt project with artist Lois Harada.

Baseball Field 1

• Senior league for High School play and above
• Equipped with irrigation, lights, dugouts, bleachers, and Press Box
• 60/90 – LF 320ft – CF 350ft – RF 305ft
• Improvements underway in 2026

Baseball Field 2

• Intermediate youth play (Cal Ripken)
• Equipped with irrigation, lights, dugouts.
• 50/70 – LF 203ft – CF 205ft – RF 203ft
• Infield redesigned in 2026

Baseball Field 3

• T-Ball field with backstop and dugouts

Basketball Court

• Lined court with player benches, lights, bleachers, and breakaway rims
• 92ft x 50ft
• 2 extra full sized goals at center court