Some Rhode Island State Parks to Reopen Saturday

Phase One of Rhode Island’s plan to reopen will bring more outdoor options for Rhode Islanders looking for an escape.

By: Tim Studebaker

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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – If you’ve been stuck in your home for weeks, and you’re looking for an escape, there’s some good news.  Tomorrow’s launch of Phase One comes with an opportunity to get outdoors, as more than half the state’s parks reopen.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit says, “I think there’s a lot of things that people can do in a solitary way and really enjoy the beauty of nature without crowding one another.”

Coit says it’s part of a staggered opening to prevent overcrowding.

Coit says, “Rather than opening everything, and if it doesn’t go well, having to close everything… We thought: Let’s open some, hopefully succeed, and then we’ll continue opening them.  So, just trying to be prudent and cautious.”

Coit says visitors should avoid gathering in groups, wear masks, limit how long they stay, and participate in activities like biking or walking, rather than having a picnic or hanging around.  The parks will have reduced parking and hours, and will limit the number of people in each park to maintain social distancing.

Coit says, “I think it still makes sense for people to be super careful, stay local, respect nature, take care of one another.  And, I think that a lot of whether this is successful just depends on how people handle it.”

Visitors centers, playgrounds, and public restrooms will remain closed.  Coit says the DEM will watch this weekend carefully to determine what the future holds.  They’re hoping to have all the parks up and running by the end of this month.

Here is a full list of the parks that are reopening Saturday, May 9, 2020:

• Beavertail State Park, Jamestown
• Black Regiment Monument, Portsmouth
• Burlingame State Park, Charlestown
• Cocumcussoc Park, North Kingstown
• Fort Adams State Park, Newport
• Fort Wetherill State Park, Jamestown
• Haines Memorial State Park, East Providence
• John H. Chafee Nature Preserve, North Kingstown
• L. Curran State Park, Cranston
• Lehigh High Grove, Portsmouth
• Lincoln Woods State Park, Lincoln
• Meshanticut State Park, Cranston
• Pulaski State Park, Glocester
• Purgatory Chasm, Middletown
• Snake Den State Park, Johnston

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