WOONASQUATUCKET RIVER GREENWAY:
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: October 2008
Length: Woonasquatucket River Greenway; 4.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Paved, flat rail trail.
Moderate. The on-road section not recommended for kids on bikes.
Directions:
To start from Providence; From Routes 6 & 10 east take the Dean Street exit. Head north on Dean Street and turn right onto Providence Place, which is a one-way divided street, heading towards the mall. You can park at the Providence Place Mall, but we parked at Health Plan of RI, which you access off Promenade Street on the opposite side of the divider, which is also a one-way street in the opposite direction. From I-95, take exit 22 and follow signs to Providence Place.
To start from Riverside Mills Park; From Route 6, take the Hartford Ave exit and travel east. Turn left onto Manton Ave and then your next left onto Aleppo Street. The Park will be on your left.
The Woonasquatucket River Greenway follows the Woonasquatucket River from Johnston to Providence. Eventually, the trail will run to the Smithfield line for a total of 8 ½ miles. Part of the trail follows the rail bed of the former Providence & Springfield Railroad/New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. (Both of these railroads are mentioned, so I'm not sure if both or only one is the correct line). For more information check out; WOONASQUATUCKET RIVER BIKEWAY , WOONASQUATUCKET RIVER WATERSHED , BIKE RI or EAST COAST GREENWAY .
Starting from the Providence Place Mall;
The on-road (bike lane) section of the trail starts at the entrance to the Providence
Place Mall parking garage.
Note;
Before you head out, I would suggest a quick detour to check out downtown
Providence and the River Walk area.
Just head up the ramp that travels under the mall and it will bring you to the
front of the mall overlooking the River Walk. Great views of the downtown skyline from here.
From the parking garage exit, the Woonasquatucket
River flows underneath the mall. You need to head along Promenade Street
(one-way) using the bike lane along the left side of the street. Returning,
you'll use Providence Place (one-way), also using the bike lane. The river flows
between these two streets, with several crossing points along the way. You'll
cross over Dean Street at a ½ mile and then cross over the river at Acorn
Street to Kinsley Ave. There are green bike route signs posted along the trail
if you’re not sure of which way to go. This is an industrial area with old
mills and even an old railroad trestle bridge over the river. About 1 mile takes
you across Eagle Street and to a paved section of the trail. This section winds
through old mill buildings, now converted for retail space. Parking is available
here. When you reach the green bridge, turn right and cross over it, then turn
left again. This is the Price Rite parking area. The paved trail then
ends at Atwells Ave. USE CAUTION crossing over Atwells Ave as there is no
cross-walk. Another on-road section begins as you travel down Tuxedo Ave, then
right up Amherst Street (residential streets). Cross over Valley Street
and you'll come to Donigian Park. Head left along Valley Street and
you'll come to a red bridge over the river at about 1 ½ miles. I believe they
plan on taking the trail through the park in the future, but for now, you
continue across the bridge and along Valley Street. You'll pass the Rising
Sun Mills, old converted mills and take a right onto Delaine Street. Check
out the converted Cuban Restaurant and apartments in the old mill
complex. Look up and spot the artwork attached to the old chimney. After
crossing back over the river you'll come to Manton Ave where you take a right.
Next, you'll need to cross over the road to Aleppo Street, which runs alongside
an old mill with two domed towers. USE CAUTION crossing this busy street. Head
down Aleppo Street and you'll come to the start of the paved section of the
trail at about 2 ¼ miles. Check out the trash can next to the old burned out American
Woolen Company building. It contains etching of the areas local history. The
trail follows the river and dam through Riverside Mills Park. The park is
still under some construction, which I assume will include parking. There is a
playground, community garden and some wild "bike" artwork. A
pedestrian bridge crosses over Route 6 to connect to the trail at 2.6 miles. The
trail then travels under the Glenbridge Ave Bridge and follows the old rail bed.
This section is a bit more secluded. When you cross over a small bridge, you'll
notice an old railroad bridge alongside. Next, you come to the Button Hole
Golf Course Spur at 3 ½ miles.
Note; This 1 ¼ mile spur takes you around the driving range and up to King Philip Road. The river now forms Dryerville Pond on your right until you cross over Manton Ave at the cross light. Parking is also located here. A couple of dams along this next section form Lymansville Pond and then Lyman Mill Pond. At 4.7 miles the trail currently ends at Lyman Ave which will take you out to Greenville Ave (Route 128).
HH
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT LETTERBOXING