It’s A-boat Time

We were at the “People’s Park” — Roger Williams’ great-great-GREAT granddaughter Betsey left the original 100 acres to the capital city with the intention that current and future Providence residents have access to a common use or communal green space.

Well, she would have been pretty jazzed to see all the folks walking dogs, picnic-ing and just out having a great time there on yesterday.

After some foot dragging on my husband’s part on Sunday, we ended up having a swell time paddling one of their two-seater swan boats across Willow Lake.

For a total of $20 (the rates are $10 for adults and $5 for kiddos and yes, they do take credit cards because how many people carry cash around nowadays), you get about 30 minutes on that man-made lake which tbh is only going to get prettier as the summer progresses.

If you haven’t been in a while, it’s an affordable and fun-tastic way to get in some cardio (the paddling!) and a dose of sunshine (vit-a-min D), not to mention enjoying a splendid public space with plenty of local history.

Heading to RWP with more than 1 other person?

Well, for an additional $15, you can rent one of their little electric boats that seat 4.

I don’t remember seeing them last summer, but we did see at least 2 on the lake yesterday. And I hear you can also rent a kayak if you’re so inclined.

Map Quest

Another thing you’ll want to peruse, or even full on print out, before you go? The download-able maps on their site that are part of a whole self-guided tour situation, and are quite helpful.

A more fomal type of guided tour is certainly on my personal wish list. (Wouldn’t it be nice…)

For now, though, these tools do shine a light all the fantastic buildings (helloooo Dalrymple Boathouse), monuments and sculptures (50K people were in attendance for the opening day of the Temple to Music back in the day), walking paths, and the different kinds of trees that this now-435-acre wonderland has to offer.

For more details, hop over to their site.

Photo Credits: All photos courtesy of PattyJ.com.