Greystone Mill Pond

41° 51.966' N    71° 29.578' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

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

Description & Overview:

This boat launch is at a small town park in Johnston on Greystone Mill Pond, which is on the main stem of the Woonasquatucket River. This site provides a good take out if you are paddling down the river from Georgiaville or Esmond. You can also put in here and paddle 5/8 of a mile or so up the narrow, winding pond until you get to where there is too much current to paddle against, and then turn around and paddle back down to where you started. The pond basically follows the old river channel and only looks pond-like right near the boat launch and the park. The shoreline of the pond is a mix of marshy woods and houses. The area is often rich with bird life, from water birds to herons to warblers and other small birds.

From the boat launch, to get to the river, paddle straight across the pond and then turn left, so you are following the right (east) bank of the river upriver. If you leave the boat ramp and immediately turn left you will head up into a backwater. It can be pretty to paddle up into this area but it is a dead end. Stay away from the dam that is across the pond and to the right from the boat launch.

It is not possible to paddle downstream from this site. There is no good access to the river below the dam and there is a mill just downstream from here that spans the river on piers that often trap brush and completely block passage under the mill and down the river.

This site provides access to the following water bodies in the Woonasquatucket River watershed: Greystone Mill Pond.

Location:

Alternate Site Name: Cricket Field

Town: Johnston

Nearest Town Center: Centerdale

Driving Landmarks: From I-295 north or south take exit 7A for Route 44 and North Providence. This will put you on Route 44 east (Putnam Pike). Go 1 mile and turn left onto Angell Avenue at the blinking light. There is a Mobil station on the corner. Do not be confused by the fact that on the other side of Putnam Pike at this intersection there is a sign for Serrel Sweet Road. Go 0.2 miles on Angell Avenue and turn left onto Riverside Avenue at the stop sign. At this turn Cricket Park will be in front of you. After turning onto Riverside Avenue go a few hundred feet and turn right into the parking lot for the park. The canoe and kayak launch is in the corner of the park beyond the small playground.

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: dam, 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's a nice, small dock and a slope leading into the water so you can launch canoes and kayaks.

Float/Dock: low float or dock

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 150 feet

Parking:

Parking: yes: 7 spaces

Ecological, Cultural & Recreational Attractions:

Greystone Park has recently been refurbished and there is now a nice walking path next to the river, a viewing platform near the dam, and a new boat launch.

Do you have comments, corrections or additions to the information about this site?

Help us work together to make this website better by sharing your knowledge!

Private feedback goes to the Blueways Alliance/RI Land Trust Council. We'll use your information to make this website better or pass it along to the people who can deal with physical issues at this site. Public comments are posted here (once they've been reviewed and approved) for all to see.