There are myriad ways for groups to enjoy outdoor recreation in the Providence-Warwick area, but in terms of one-stop-shopping, it’s hard to top the options available at Roger Williams Park.
With more than 430 acres, the outdoor oasis is composed of walking trails, countless waterways and a newly added Botanical Center lush with flowers and other flora. Attendees can take to the water aboard paddle-boats and even mini speedboats, and the Tennis Center boasts the state’s only publicly accessible clay courts. Should the weather turn unfriendly, indoor attractions at the park include a natural history museum, and the Roger Williams Park Zoo serves up yet another possibility.
A completely different outdoor experience can be had downtown, where WaterPlace Park is at the core of the city’s ongoing revitalization. The four-acre urban park is built around a tidal basin and enhanced by well-groomed terraces, cobblestone streets and countless flowers in bloom. Gondola outings for up to six can be arranged nearby at La Gondola. The park is also the site of the WaterFire sculpture, a series of bonfires that dot the rivers running through downtown.
“For those who would like to experience the city from a unique viewpoint, and not break a sweat in doing so, La Gondola is ideal,” says Kristin McGrath, vice president of sales and services for the Providence Warwick CVB. “Boasting three authentic gondolas and a cadre of talented oarsmen, La Gondola is a favorite for groups and is especially enchanting on WaterFire nights.”
Groups wanting to see Providence at its best should strongly consider tying their visit into one of these WaterFire lighting ceremonies, where the burning bonfires along the river add a unique ambience to a festival-like street scene. These events usually occur on Saturday evenings between late May and early October, with the actual lighting taking place about 20 minutes after sunset—and the festivities continuing until just past midnight.
Combining fresh-air fun with CSR endeavors is possible at the Woonasquatucket River, where the city’s Watershed Council is involved in such projects as watershed restoration, riverfront cleanup and bike path upkeep. Groups can volunteer their time to help make a difference, and “adopt” a portion of the bike path.
Nearby Narragansett Bay was recently hailed as one of the best Adventure Destinations for 2012 by National Geographic, McGrath adds.
“Citing our 1,500 miles of rivers and improved infrastructure, the article details why we’re ‘a paddler’s dream destination,’” she says.
