Marina Park

41° 25.624' N    71° 29.789' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

This is a site for launching boats from trailers. Boat ramps can normally be used to launch canoes and kayaks but please do your best to keep the boat ramp clear for boat trailers.

Description & Overview:

This is a very user-friendly launch facility in a small park called "Marina Park" at the head of Point Judith Pond. There are two cement plank boat ramps here. If the ramps are busy with trailered boats (as is common on a nice weekend) space can be a little tight for launching hand-carried boats, but you should be able to find some space. If the ramps are not too busy with trailered boats you can drive to the boat ramp area to load and unload, and then park across the street.

Paddlers can explore the pond or explore the lower Saugatucket River from here. Be mindful of the heavy pleasure boat traffic on the pond! Aside from the pleasure boat traffic, both the pond and the river are usually calm and easy to paddle.

The large grassy area next to the boat launch is the site for a number of annual events such as carnivals and boat shows. The URI sailing club is also in Marina Park.

On most days the southwest wind fills in across this area in the morning and blows throughout the afternoon, so be prepared for this when planning your trip.

The boat ramps were rebuilt in 2023 and there is no longer a drop-off at the end.

This site provides access to the following water bodies in the Saugatucket River watershed: Point Judith Pond, Saugatucket River.

Location:

Town: South Kingstown

Nearest Town Center: Wakefield

Driving Landmarks: From Route 1 North, take the Salt Pond Road exit. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right. The launch is 1/4 mile ahead on the left. From Route 1 south, take the South County Hospital/Salt Pond Road exit. At the end of the ramp turn left on Salt Pond Rd. The boat launch is 0.4 miles ahead on the left.

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: estuary

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 ramp

ADA Accessible Boat Launch? yes

Shoreline: Paved, ADA accessible boat ramp. Adjacent shoreline is stabilized.

Float/Dock: low float or dock

Hours of Operation: sunrise to sunset

Fees: no

Limited to Town Residents? no

Parking:

Parking: yes: 100 spaces, overnight parking permitted

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? yes

Nearby Amenities:

Public Restrooms: No

Sources for More Information:

Other Guidebooks: Salt Ponds Coalition Kayaker's Guide

Website: Salt Ponds Coalition Kayaker's Guide to the Coastal Salt Ponds of South County, RI

Website: Daytrippers Guide to Rhode Island

Photographs:

The parking lot at Marina Park

Photography by: Art Ganz and Bambi Poppick

Date of Photograph: August 17, 2006

Boat Ramp at Marina Park

Photography by: Art Ganz and Bambi Poppick

Date of Photograph: August 17, 2006

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