Providence Parks

Fitness in the Parks (FITP) programming continues to provide free, all-ages, and all-abilities fitness opportunities year-round—indoors and outdoors. We aim to normalize free, community fitness as a way to both strengthen individual well-being as well as connection to others. Each year our menu offerings grow in response to the changing ways people define exercise and our blended approach supports healthier individuals and fosters a stronger, more connected fitness enthusiasts.

The Eat Play Learn (EPL) program employs high school and college students as EPL ambassadors, directors and meal site monitors in 35 parks, providing valuable work experience, mentorship, empathy and exposure to health and wellness careers. The EPL in parks offers unstructured PlayCorps activities, crafts, books, games, and musical instruments, alongside community meal services.

EPL also partners with libraries, nature conservancies, fitness instructors, and performers to deliver enrichment activities for youth and families. These experiences help create safe, free and active outdoor spaces for Providence families while showcasing a vast array of creative, family-focused talent.

Earth April: Each spring, in recognition of the valuable role our public green spaces play in the quality of life of Providence residents and visitors, the Parks team organizes citywide Earth April events. These activities, developed in partnership with our community partners, park friend’s group, corporate sponsors, schools and recreation centers, focus on enhancing parks through neighborhood-driven programming that encourage stewardship of and pride in our City’s free outdoor greenways.

Free Youth Meals

Summer Meals: As one of the few totally free places for kids to gather, our City parks bring unstructured play, enrichment activities, and meal services to these outdoor spaces so both mind and body can be nurtured. During the summer months, when school meals are not available, EPL Ambassadors serve free USDA summer meals while providing fun and engaging park activities. Corporate sponsors and city partners work with the Parks Dept to enhance the free meal program at parks and provide additional access to meals at home.

CACFP Meals

The Parks Department facilitates after-school snacks and suppers for youth across Providence, including all community libraries and Recreation Centers.

 Weather and School Vacation Meal Service

Recognizing that food insecurity is often exacerbated when school is not in session or during unavoidable weather interruptions, the Parks Department and the Health and Human Services Office partner to ensure that shelf-stable meals and milk reach families facing these challenges. Coordinating with recreation centers, libraries, and PEMA the Parks team distributes shelf-stable meals to help address food insecurity during school vacations and weather advisory days so that these disruptions do not mean a disruption to accessing nutritious food