RIDEM closes part of Fort Wetherill State Park due to ‘safety concerns’

JAMESTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said it is closing the bulkhead at Fort Wetherill State Park to the public until further notice due to safety concerns.

RIDEM is said the closure is due to degraded supports to the bulkhead and potential sink holes, which have been partially exacerbated by recent storms.

“This closure to protect public safety is another example of challenges that Rhode Island’s coastal communities are increasingly contending with due to the impacts of climate change,” RIDEM Director Terry Gray said. “Given the concerns for public safety, we decided to restrict this area until we can better understand our options for quickly and safely restoring access to this great fishing and sightseeing spot.”

Part of the park, which is a former coastal defense battery and training camp with structures dating back to before World War II, will remain open for “authorized vehicles and personnel to continue RIDEM’s scientific research activities.”

More information on the closure can be found here.