Providence Parks

Mattie Smith Park

Mattie Smith Park corner stone planter with memorial

Mattie Smith Park play structure for ages 5-12 features double slide, bridge, two towers

Mattie Smith Park play structure for ages 2-5 features bongos and junior overhead ladder and pullup bar

Mattie Smith Park entrance on Taylor St with the 4 belt swings for ages 5-12 at center

Mattie Smith Park play structure for ages 5-12 features two overhead ladders and various climbers

Mattie Smith Park looking to the corner from the play structure for ages 5-12

Mattie Smith Park features separate play structures for ages 2-5 and 5-12 along with park benches and 4 belt swings

Mattie Smith Park play structure for ages 2-5 features a pod climber, steering wheel panel, and slide

Mattie Smith Park playground swings for ages 2-5

Mattie Smith Park play structure for ages 2-5 features 9 different play elements including a double slide

Mattie Smith Park looking down the double slide for ages 5-12 to a pair of park benches

Mattie Smith Park play structure for ages 5-12 features pull up bars a fire pole and a track ride

Mattie Smith Park entrance on Glenham St at the track ride for ages 5-12

Mattie Smith Park hopscotch area and two uprights spinners for ages 2-12

History

Mattie Smith Tot Lot is named for local Providence community organizer, one of the founders of DARE (Direct Action for Rights and Equality). She is one of 10 women from around the country honored by the educational organization Resourceful Women. Smith led countless actions: a camp-in at the State House of over 200 homeless women and families that successfully led to the first state-run shelter and a campaign to restore dental care to 30,0000 Medicaid subscribers. She also fought to implement a ban on utilities shut offs and led the workers Association for Guaranteed Employment (“Local Woman Gets National Honor,” Providence Journal, May 1992).

Recent Improvements

Planter installed by Providence Commemoration Lab on October 18, 2025.

Perimeter fence and gates were replaced in 2024.

Playground equipment for ages 2-12 was upgraded in August 2019.

Details

Status
Open Year-Round

Neighborhood
Upper South Providence

Acreage
0.1 acres

Coordinates
41.805789, -71.417558

Address
103 Taylor Street

Get Directions →

Amenities

Picnic Areas

Playground (ages 2-12)

Playground (ages 2-5)

Playground (ages 5-12)

Seating Areas

Report an Issue

To report a maintenance issue at this location, submit a request through PVD 311 or contact the Parks Department directly.

PVD 311 →

Providence Parks creates and maintains exceptional, accessible green spaces that serve as the foundation for wellbeing, quality of life, and environmental stewardship in Providence, Rhode Island.

Contact
Providence Parks Department
Clark Dalrymple Boathouse
Roger Williams Park
1000 Elmwood Ave
Providence, RI 02905

Superintendent: Wendy Nilsson
providenceri.gov/parks