The Providence Parks Department (PPD) manages 123 outdoor spaces. These include our neighborhood parks, athletic fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, conservation areas, and walking/running tracks and trails. Also dog parks, cemeteries, and non-traditional recreation areas, such as skateparks, bike tracks, and parkour courses. Also, an ice rink. And, of course, the flagship Roger Williams Park (RWP), one of our city’s greatest assets. In addition, PPD cares for all park and street trees.
In 2024, PPD’s major accomplishments included the revitalization of India Point Park’s waterfront; the completion of the Woony Adventure Park and Pavilion with skate/ride features; the replacement of the Downtown Rink; full renovations at Paul Grande, Paterson and Brassil Parks; and restoration of the Prospect Terrace retaining wall. Additionally, they completed upgrades at Lippitt Park with a new mist cooling feature; capital improvements at Roger Williams Park, including renovations to the Museum of Natural History; and the expansion of the skatepark and playground at Neutaconkanut Park.
In addition to these large projects, PPD made repairs to five basketball courts, new fencing at six parks, a new toddler play area at Brown Street Park, outdoor fitness areas at Roger Williams Park Gateway and Donigian Park, a futsal field at Conlan Junior Park, along with a new softball field at Collyer Park Field.
Here are some of PPD’s 2024 accomplishments by the numbers:
$14,027,578 – cost of 25 major projects completed including:
- $3,701,504 for Downtown Rink infrastructure
- $2,227,302 for India Point Park promenade and playground
- $977,866 for Woony Adventure Park upper pavilion and two skate features
- $246,136 – for Conlan Junior Futsal Field
- $151,800 – for Donigian Park playground and fitness area
$2,518,543 – allocated to 2024 projects, but not yet complete, such as $807,223 for the Neutaconkanut Playground
$3,411,932 – total grants received, including $945,000 from Rep. Gabe Amo Congressionally Directed Spending for Mashapaug Pond
$420,590 – revenue from 98 events at the RWP Botanical Center
532 – trees planted in collaboration with the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program (PNPP) with over 100 volunteers
1,000+ – trash barrels emptied weekly
720 – yards of Engineered Fibar Mulch (8 tractor-trailer loads) spread across 54 playgrounds
1,000 – visitors at North Burial Ground
350 – work orders completed per month, managing the upkeep of irrigation systems, fountains, waterparks, concession buildings, electrical and HVAC systems, signage, playgrounds, and 26 buildings
3 – goats helped mow the lawns at RWP
Sources:
Providence Parks Department’s website
Providence Parks Department’s 2024 Annual Report
Nini Stoddard is a proud Providence resident. After living abroad as the child of a US diplomat, she returned to the United States to attend college. She lived in Connecticut and enjoyed working as a librarian, as a director of a regional non-profit, and as a prospect researcher. Nini moved to Providence in 2006 to work at Brown University as a senior prospect researcher. Now retired, she loves local history and volunteering.
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