Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council
Downtown Paddle on the Lower Woonasquatucket River
Registration Required.
See below for details.
Tuesday, July 2, 2013, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Providence
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What’s Happening
Join us for an evening paddle on the lower Woonasquatucket and see the city from a new angle! We will start at the landing on South Water Street and paddle up the Woonasquatucket River to near Eagle Street before turning around and heading back down to South Water Street. This trip will give you a new perspective on the city as we paddle past some of the mills that built this city as well as through Waterplace Park and past downtown Providence. While this is definitely an urban river, we have seen red-tailed hawks, great blue herons, Peregrine Falcons, and many other birds in this stretch of the river. The complete round trip is about 4 miles. Children are welcome as long as they are accompanied by an adult.nnThe river in this area is generally smooth and quiet, which makes for easy paddling. We have some canoes and kayaks available so you don't need your own, but if you have your own you are welcome to bring it. If you are bringing your own canoe or kayak please remember to bring wearable life jackets for everyone who will be in the boat.
Distance: 4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Appropriate For: Everyone
Boat Rental
Boats are available for rent for this event.
Address and Directions
Meeting Place: South Water Street Landing (41º 49.3398 N 71º 24.3582 W)Google Maps
Address: South Water Street (at gazebo)
Directions: From I-95 North or South:
- Get off I-95 at Exit 22A in downtown Providence.
- At the first light, go straight onto Memorial Blvd.
- At the sixth light, turn left onto South Water St., which will put you on a bridge across the Providence River. There is often an American flag flying above this bridge. This is the last bridge across the river before the Point Street bridge.
- After you cross the river the road makes a sharp right turn parallel to the river.
- The landing is about 2/10 mile ahead on your right, near the round gazebo and the circular silver sculpture. There is on-street parking on both sides of the street near the landing.
From I-195 West:
- Follow I-195 to the junction with I-95 and get on I-95 North. Then follow the directions listed above for I-95.
From Routes 6 and 10:
- Follow Routes 6 and 10 east towards downtown Providence and get off at the ”Providence Downtown“ exit (just before the exits for I-95 North and South).
- At the first light, go straight onto Memorial Blvd.
- At the sixth light, turn left onto South Water St., which will put you on a bridge across the Providence River. There is often an American flag flying above this bridge. This is the last bridge across the river before the Point Street bridge.
- After you cross the river the road makes a sharp right turn parallel to the river.
- The landing is about 2/10 mile ahead on your right, near the round gazebo and the circular silver sculpture. There is on-street parking on both sides of the street near the landing.
Parking: There is on-street parking right next to the put-in location. There are parking meters, which take quarters (4 quarters/hour) and are monitored through 6PM so you will need a few quarters for the meter.
Water Trail Map (Note that the paddle may not follow the exact route shown on this map.)
Registration and Contact Information
Registration and Payment Required
How to Pay/Donate: Call or email Erik at the Watershed Council at or (401) 481-1376 to sign up. Advance sign-up is required so that we can determine how many boats we need and keep the trip from getting too large.
Contact Name(s): Erik Talley
Phone: (401) 481-1376
Email: etalley@wrwc.org
Registration or Host’s Website
Additional Information
Equipment or Clothing Requirements or Recommendations:
- Comfortable clothes to canoe/kayak in, including either boots or shoes that can get wet. The best clothes to wear are things that dry quickly if they get wet (e.g., nylon rather than cotton).
- Rain gear if there is a chance of showers. Serious rain will cancel the paddle.
- If you will be using one or our boats we will supply life jackets and paddles. If you are bringing your own boat make sure to bring your own life jackets and paddles. NOTE: Wearable life jackets are required. We do have some extra life jackets so if you are bringing your own boat but want to use one of our life jackets, please let us know.
- Drinking water.
- Put anything that you want to stay dry in a dry bag or a heavy plastic bag. Remember that the new electronic car keys do not like getting wet!
Are there public restrooms or a Porta-John at the put-in?: No