ALMOND ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION OPEN SPACE GRANTS

RIDEM graphical banner, showing land and water scene

Home > News > Archive > News Item

News Release

RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462

For Release: October 23, 1999

Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

ALMOND ANNOUNCES $2 MILLION OPEN SPACE GRANTS

PROVIDENCE - Governor Lincoln Almond announced today the state is awarding a total of $2 million dollars in open space matching grants for 14 projects in 13 communities across the state.

Department of Environmental Management Director Jan Reitsma represented the Governor, who is concluding a trade mission to Ireland and the United Kingdom. The awards were announced today (Saturday) at a meeting of the Rhode Island Greenways Council, at noon, at the University of Rhode Island Memorial Student Union.

"The strong statewide demand for this open space funding exemplifies a broad-based commitment to preserving open space and expanding recreational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders," said Almond. "The grants announced today go a long way toward continuing a state and local effort to enhance and preserve the quality of life for future generations."

The grants will provide funding to such diverse projects as saving Oakland Forest, an old growth forest in Portsmouth, and cleaning up the Riverside Mills brownfields site along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway in Providence. The appropriations are the first from the $15 million 1998 Greenways bond issue.

Said Reitsma, "Governor Almond's initiative in placing a $15 million open space bond issue on the ballot last fall struck a responsive chord with Rhode Islanders, who have consistently shown the value they place on open space preservation and greenways protection. I am very pleased that we are able to offer these matching grants today which will further enhance the quality of life in local communities."

Governor Almond's current five-year capital plan calls for awarding an additional $2 million in grants for local land acquisition from the 1998 bond issue in fiscal year 2001 and another $2 million in fiscal year 2002. DEM will combine them in a $4 million grant round next summer. Governor Almond is proposing a $50 million dollar bond issue for the November 2000 ballot aimed at accelerating the effort to preserve and protect open space throughout the state.

All 14 projects that were selected for this first round of funding provide matching funds for the acquisition, design and construction of local bikeways and/or recreational greenways. Greenways traditionally include trails, river walkways, and natural corridors.

The areas are primarily off-road facilities, and they often serve as links between state and local parks, other bikeways, areas of open space, and municipal business centers. The Rhode Island Greenways Council selected the 14 projects from a total of 32 applications.

Ann O'Neil, chairwoman of the Greenways Council, said, "We received applications for many worthwhile projects and it was obvious that people took a great deal of time and thought in preparing them. The interest in applying for these matching grants, and the total dollars necessary for implementation, underscore the value Rhode Islanders place on open space and recreation."

DEM is administering the grants for the Greenways Council. The Council was established by the General Assembly in 1995 to coordinate state agency greenway efforts, assist local governments and private groups in greenway creation, and provide information to the public on the availability and usage of greenways in Rhode Island. Its seven members represent state agencies, municipalities, and the public.

The following projects were awarded grants:

Greenways Grant Awards

SPONSOR/LOCATION	GRANT AWARD	PROJECT
City of Providence	$450,000	Remedial cleanup of Riverside Mills property along Woonasquatucket River in preparation for its use as a stopping point for bikeway users, with a path, benches, signage, a small parking area, and scenic overlooks along the river and dam that capitalize on the river's history. Total project cost: $2,430,000.
Town of Westerly	$350,000	Improvements at the Pawcatuck River, including extension of the existing Riverwalk north of the Broad Street Bridge, and construction of a new pedestrian/bicycle bridge from Coggswell Street across the river to Wilcox Park. Total project cost: $1,800,000.
South Kingstown Land Trust	$200,000	Construction of a loop trail connecting to DuVal Trail in Perryville, leading to a six-mile loop through undisturbed forest. Total project cost: $825,700.
Cumberland Land Trust	$107,000	Acquisition of nearly 50 acres of land on Scott Road that will connect two existing open space areas and create a large greenway and trail system in central Cumberland. Total project cost: $220,000 for land acquisition plus survey, appraisal, and title, and signage for the property.
Oaklawn Grange, Cranston	$10,000	Beautification of Oaklawn Grange Park by the addition of historical signage, a gazebo, and benches. Total project cost: $21,000.
Town of South Kingstown	$112,500	Construction of a Peacedale Village bike path to connect Old Mountain Field with the South County YMCA, the new senior center, and the new South Kingstown Middle School. Total project cost: $225,000.
City of Central Falls	$38,743	Acquisition of nearly two acres of riverfront land to extend the proposed Central Falls Landing for hiking and bicycling. Total project cost: $77,487.
Block Island Land Trust	$24,000	Creation of a greenway connecting the Ball/O'Brien Recreational Facility at Great Salt Pond, the Nathan Mott Park/Turnip Farm preserve in the center of the Island, and the Rodman's Hollow/Black Rock recreation area on the ocean at the south end of the Island. Total project cost: $1,500,000.
Hope Associates, Inc., Scituate	$135,000	Construction of a pedestrian walkway and bike path over a former railroad bed along the Pawtuxet River. Total project cost: $270,000.
Norman Bird Sanctuary, Middletown	$67,500	Acquisition of marsh and upland abutting Sachuest Point Wildlife Refuge and an easement between it and the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Total project cost: $135,000.
Town of Bristol	$200,000	Acquisition of 20 acres of woodland, meadow, wetland, tidal marsh and beach along Mt. Hope Bay for scenic and educational enjoyment. Total project cost: $1,150,000.
Aquidneck Island Land Trust, Portsmouth	$200,000	Acquisition and preservation of Oakland Forest, an old growth American beech forest with trees 200 to 300 years old, linking St. Mary's Pond protected water supply and the Sakonnet greenway. Total project cost: $765,000.
Town of Barrington	$27,628	Acquisition and protection of the largest remaining undeveloped piece of the Hampton Meadows greenbelt, including a red maple swamp, providing an essential link necessary to connect the existing passive recreation trail and to develop the trail system between two schools and additional neighborhoods. Total project cost: Acquisition cost not known at this time.
Town of Burrillville	$27,628	Creation of a 1-1/2 mile, interpretive nature trail through the 213-acre town-owned Nipmuc property. Total project cost: $84,406.

For General Information 222-6800 • After Hours Emergencies 222-3070 • Disclaimer