Providence Parks

History

This park offers a scenic, wooded place to walk near the water. It features rugged walking paths that connect to JT Owens Park and Mashapaug Pond.

The land was obtained by the Parks Department in 1992-93 from a private developer thanks to a major grant from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. The entrances to the park are from Niantic Avenue or Molter Street.

As provided by Barbara Trainor:

“Jerry Murphy was the State Representative for District 10 at the time the Temple Beth-El Cemetery on Reservoir Avenue decided it would not use its land on the other side of the Rte. 10 on ramp/Niantic Avenue as future cemetery space. The land was offered for sale, and a company held a community meeting to propose a condominium development on the site. Drawings and sketches of the proposed development were shown to the public at that session.

Joseph Trainor, my husband, was a native of this area of Providence and legal counsel for the Rhode Island House Finance Committee at the time. Joe and I attended the meeting, and we were among the neighbors who were not happy with the idea of that small green space abutting Mashapaug Pond being ripped up and used for higher density housing. Although I don’t know, or remember the details, both Joe and Jerry talked to people and the city was able to obtain the land for a small park. Before the dedication, both Jerry and Joe died suddenly, and it was proposed to name the park after them.”