| Perfect Summer Day Ninigret Park Charlestown, RI |
| BOX REMOVED Oct 02 - to be replanted There are a few combinations of place and time that seem to work together to provide for a perfect summer day. In southern New England that special opportunity presents itself on a warm, sunny afternoon at Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI. Ninigret has almost everything one can want and it’s all free! Located right on the Rhode Island coastline, Ninigret is a former Naval Air Station that has been divided into a national wildlife refuge and town park. When getting ready for a perfect summer day it’s hard to decide what to pack. Definitely include a bathing suit, roller blades, frisbee, letterboxing pack, walking shoes, picnic dinner, sunscreen and bug spray. Optional equipment includes a bicycle, binoculars, tennis racquet, basketball, kite; the list goes on… Don’t forget the kids (I hear Carolyn Stearns is giving some away if you don’t have any of your own) and all their paraphernalia. It is hard to decide what to do first when you arrive. You can try your roller blades or ride your bike on the criterion course set on old landing strips. Play some tennis or basketball. If there is a breeze it is a perfect place to fly a kite. Our version of a perfect day begins with parking at the refuge and pursuing the easier of the two DrewClan’s Ninigret boxes. On a warm summer day linger in the cove, take off your shoes and go wading in the cool ocean waters. In August, after finding the box search for blueberries in the bushes lining the trail on the way back to the parking lot. Don’t forget to check and see if the nature center is open when you return to the park. It’s time to put on your bathing suit for a swim in Little Ninigret Pond. It is a fresh water pond with a nice sandy beach where the water remains clear even in August. When you are ready for a break put your shorts and shoes on and head for the discgolf course on the other side of the pond. Discgolf is an amazing sport that combines frisbee and golf. Did you know that there are almost 1000 discgolf courses in the US alone? This is one of only three in RI. There are usually loaner discs available at the start. If you brought your own frisbee be warned that competition discs are smaller, heavier and will give you a distinct advantage. Try your throw with this disc on all nine holes. Make sure that after you give your throw at the fifth tee that you stop at the backside of the small wall immediately in front of the red hydrant to carefully record your score and stamp in the logbook. When you are done with all nine don’t forget to return your disc to the box for the next person. As you return to the parking area send the kids to the wonderful playground while you fire up the coals in one of the barbecue stands under the pavilion. As you are eating your dinner and enjoying the setting sun be aware that there is even more to the perfect day ahead of you. While it is getting dark make sure to thoroughly dowse everyone in bug spray. The mosquitoes can be brutal at dusk. Then head over to the Frosty Drew observatory. The observatory is run by volunteers and paid for by donations. On weekend evenings in the summer it is open for viewing. In addition, many of the volunteers will bring their own telescopes and provide lots of great celestial viewing and information. Your day complete, it is time to pack up the family and return home. On the drive back be sure to reflect on what a special place to spend the “perfect summer day.” Before setting off be sure to read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer. LBNA Homepage Kurdziel Homepage |
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