Woonasquatucket River Adventure Park

Once an old blighted mill and garbage dump, The Trust for Public Land and a coalition of partners in Providence teamed up to transform this derelict space along the Woonasquatucket River into a vibrant, climate-smart park. Located in the heart of Providence’s Olneyville neighborhood—a community where roughly 40 percent of families live below the poverty line—the park provides an active recreation space, complete with a pump track and parkour equipment for local youth feeling brave enough to try new tricks.

Beyond its many recreational amenities, the Woonasquatucket River Adventure Park serves as a model climate-smart park. Native plants and rain gardens help clean stormwater and reduce flooding at this riverside park, which helps the city address the impacts of climate change. Shade trees cool the neighborhood during heat waves. And a restored shoreline protects the park and neighborhood from flooding.

Designed in partnership with local youth, the bicycle pump tracks and parkour course provide an active and fun retreat for teens. A multi-use hiking and biking trail also meander the property, connecting it to the existing five-mile Woonasquatucket River Greenway. There are 6,000 residents living within a 10-minute walk of the property.