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Roger Williams Park

41° 46.636' N    71° 24.854' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

Google Maps is the mapping system used on the new ExploreRI mapper and shows the access site located on a terrain view, a street map or an aerial photograph. Clicking on this link will take you to the full Google Maps website, which is not part of ExploreRI.
Map Server shows a topographic map of the area. The Map Server website is not part of ExploreRI.org.
Acme Maps shows the access site located on a topographic map. The Acme Maps website is not part of ExploreRI.org.

This is a site for launching hand-carried boats such as canoes or kayaks.

Description & Overview:

Roger Williams Park is Providence's flagship public park. Its 430 acres encompass ponds, woods, the Roger Williams Park Zoo, Museum of Natural History, Botanical Center and many other attractions. Most of the lakes are connected into a winding string of ponds that cover 50 acres and offer many coves and channels to explore. There are various places where boats could easily be launched into the ponds, but the site best set up for hand-carried boat access is this location at the south end of Cunliff's Lake. There is a small gravel parking lot here amd there is also plenty of parking along the side of the road and in nearby parking lots. The park is popular, so you cannot expect to get away from people here, especially on a fine summer weekend, but it is pretty and wooded and big enough to allow for plenty of pleasant paddling.

No motors are allowed on any of the lakes or ponds in Roger Williams Park.

This site provides access to the following water bodies in the Pawtuxet River watershed: Cunliff's Lake.

Location:

Town: Providence

Driving Landmarks: From I-95 take Exit 18 to Route 10 east. At the end of Route 10 turn left on Park Avenue. Go 1/4 mile and turn left into the park. At the first T-junction turn left and go 1/4 mile and look for a small gravel area at the edge of the pond. Note: The entrance to Roger Williams Park is directly across the street from the Park View School, at a traffic light. If you see the Del's Lemonade or Dunkin Donuts, you have gone too far.

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: pond

Note: Because one boat launch can access, say, both a lake and a river or both the upstream and downstream portions of a river, not all paddling trips at a given site will necessarily encounter all of the features listed.

Type of Access: Boat launch for hand carried boats

ADA Accessible Boat Launch? no

Shoreline: There is a gravel area here that slants into the lake.

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 10 feet

Parking:

Parking: on street

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? no

Nearby Amenities:

Public Restrooms: At various locations in the park there are public restrooms, including ADA accessible restrooms.

Can we fish?

Submitted by: Anonymous; July 8, 2022; 8:45 pm

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The data on this website come from many sources, including volunteers and organizations across the state of Rhode Island and nearby parts of Massachusetts. We have done our best to make sure the data are accurate and up to date, but any information critical to the success of your trip should be confirmed before you start. The maps and information on this website should not be substituted for nautical charts, topographic maps, or other more detailed maps and guides. We welcome corrections and additions. To send a correction or provide other feedback, please use our feedback form (see link above).

This site report was last updated on October 13, 2014

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