South Water Street Landing

41° 49.34' N    71° 24.358' 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 the southern end of the "canal" that carries the Providence River through Providence. So, it is a good place at which to launch or take out for trips on the Providence, Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck Rivers. It is also a suitable launch for trips down the Bay. Great caution should be exercised if you go beyond the hurricane barrier because of the heavy commercial traffic in this area. When Waterfire is taking place the river is closed to traffic just up river from this site.

This put-in is on the new Roger Williams Trail that traces the route Roger Williams and his followers took in 1636 when they paddled by canoe from what is now East Providence to Providence, to settle and found what would become the state of Rhode Island.

You can also rent kayaks and go on guided urban paddling tours from Waterplace Park with the Providence Kayak Co.

This site provides access to the following water bodies: Providence River, Woonasquatucket River.

Location:

Alternate Site Name: Harbor View Park

Town: Providence

Nearest Town Center: Providence

Driving Landmarks: From I-95 North or South take at Exit 22A in downtown Providence. At the first light, go straight onto Memorial Boulevard. At the sixth light, turn left onto Crawford Street, which will put you on a bridge across the Providence River. This is the last bridge across the river before the I-195 bridge. After you cross the river the road makes a sharp right turn. You are now on South Water Street. 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.

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: estuary, ocean/bay

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 is a hard surface ramp (not usable by trailers) leading down into the water as well as broad concrete steps next to the ramp. The adjacent shoreline is stabilized.

Float/Dock: no

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 50 feet

Hours of Operation: 24/7, year-round

Parking:

Parking: on street, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? no

Nearby Amenities:

Public Restrooms: There are numerous restaurants and other businesses nearby so a restroom should not be hard too find.

Sources for More Information:

AMC River Guide: Fourth Edition, page 145

Website: Roger Williams Trail Map (PDF)

Photographs:

View up the Providence River from near the boat launch

Photography by: Kenneth C. Zirkel

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