Rocky Point to open to public Oct. 25

PROVIDENCE – Rocky Point will open to the public on Oct. 25 for the first time in two decades so visitors can see how it is being redeveloped into a coastal state park.
According to a press release from the state Department of Environmental Management, the open house at Rocky Point will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Rocky Point closed as an amusement park in 1995.
At the Oct. 25 event, the Night Life Orchestra will perform, and refreshments and food, including seafood, hot dogs, Chinese food and shaved ice, will be available.
Cleanup of the Rocky Point property began in July with the demolition of the Shore Dinner Hall and the Palladium/Windjammer. Both were in serious states of deterioration and beyond restoration. More than 50 summer cottages on the site were also demolished.
The DEM acquired 83 acres at the site of the former Rocky Point amusement park in March 2013. The property will be integrated with 41 acres of shoreline at Rocky Point bought by the city of Warwick with the help of state and federal funding seven years ago.
The future development of Rocky Point Park will involve many stakeholders and partners, including the Rocky Point Foundation and the city of Warwick. The state will seek public-private partnerships to minimize the use of state resources for the project, and will explore federal funding opportunities for parkland development.
On Oct. 24 at 10 a.m., Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee will tour the newly cleared grounds of the park with DEM Director Janet Coit, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation, state House and Senate members, Rocky Point Foundation and Save The Bay representatives, public officials and others.
“The Rocky Point property has a 150+ year history of being a popular summer attraction for Rhode Islanders and visitors. Over the decades, attractions at Rocky Point have come and gone – nature trails, a ferry pier, an observation tower, hotels, clambakes, restaurants, swimming pool, rides, games and concerts – but the attraction of 120 acres of land for public use within 10 miles of downtown Providence has been a consistent draw since 1850,” the press release stated.

No posts to display