The Tiny Providence Park For Leaf Peeping, Picnics, And Fall Photos

Over the last few weeks I’ve noticed my feeds filling up with foliage photos and videos, and not gonna lie, I started experiencing some serious fomo (for the uninitiated that stands for fear of missing out).

Well, factor in the upcoming clock change — and losing the light by 5pm — and any window of time during which to take the perfect “fall vibes” photos and video to share on social suddenly got way shorter.

With all that in mind, I have a tiny but historically significant and tree lined park in Providence, at the foot of College Hill, that I think is pretty underrated and that you will want to make time for this week or next.

Yes, there’s Roger Williams Park, but have you ever checked out The Roger Williams National Memorial, a 4.5 acre grassy oasis and natural haven sandwiched between North Main and Park Row?

This Photo Courtesy Of PattyJ.com.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966 and with the distinction of being the 20th smallest national park in the whole entire US of A, it features a freshwater spring (more about that in a sec), an 18th century house that’s been converted to a Visitor Center, and parking which I think we can all agree is a pretty big deal in Providence.

I, for one, had no idea it existed until 5 or 6 years ago when we stopped to take pictures of some of the majestic trees that face North Main. I later learned that the land is part of Williams’ original 1636 settlement, with that freshwater spring being what sealed RW’s wanting to put down roots there.

It’s not unusual to find someone setting up an easel (the other day there was a group of artists painting there) or throwing down a blanket for a lunch hour picnic.

So, if you’re looking to get outside this week and do some hyper local leaf peeping, this mico park at 282 North Main might be just the place.