Roger Williams Park Conservancy

Roger Williams Park Conservancy Our mission is to sustain and enhance Roger Williams Park as a vibrant public space for all.

Roger Williams Park was created in 1871 after Betsey Williams bequeathed 102 acres of farmland and woodland to the city of Providence to be used for a public purpose. A portion of the gift included land that was originally purchased from the Narragansetts by her great, great, great, grandfather, Rhode Island Founder Roger Williams. Horace Cleveland, a leader in the Urban Parks Movement, created th

e design for Roger Williams Park. It was intended to serve as an escape for those working in highly industrialized Providence in the late nineteenth century. Twenty years after Betsey's bequest, the Park quadrupled in size and daily attendance had grown to 15,000 visitors. Roger Williams Park still serves as "the people's pleasure ground" that Cleveland intended. More than 1.5 million visitors from around the state - and beyond!- visit the park each year to attend festivals at the Temple to Music, events at the Casino, the Botanical Center, Museum of Natural History, tennis courts, ball fields... and to enjoy the same scenery and activities as past generations.

As the seasons begin to change, it's a great time to reconnect with the natural world and slow down. We're excited to pa...
09/05/2026

As the seasons begin to change, it's a great time to reconnect with the natural world and slow down. We're excited to partner with the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center to offer a free Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku) session on September 19 at 10 AM with Lee Ann. This guided experience invites you to breathe deeply, notice your surroundings, and open your senses to the sights, sounds, textures, and rhythms of the forest.

Lee Ann Freitas is the director of the Botanical Center and a Certified Forest Therapist, horticulturist, and a hardcore advocate for all things nature. She creates a welcoming and peaceful environment for participants to slow down, connect with nature, and be present.

The session is free, but registration is limited – sign up online (link in bio)!

📣 Don't miss the final installment of Groovin' Summer Movies on Friday! We're gathering at the Boathouse Lawn at sunset ...
09/02/2026

📣 Don't miss the final installment of Groovin' Summer Movies on Friday! We're gathering at the Boathouse Lawn at sunset for a screening of "Happy Feet"!

Arrive early to get a bite to eat during Food Truck Friday, which runs 5-8 PM, at Carousel Village – only four Fridays left to savor food truck season at the park!

Special thanks to for making Movies in the Park possible, with support from and , and to and for hosting Food Truck Friday at Carousel Village!

We're so excited for African Alliance of Rhode Island to host their Pop-Up Farmers Market at the Roger Williams Park and...
09/01/2026

We're so excited for African Alliance of Rhode Island to host their Pop-Up Farmers Market at the Roger Williams Park and Gateway Center this Saturday!

Ahead of the market, we checked in with AARI market manager Yanel Severino about what makes the market so special! Swipe to learn more.

🌽 AARI Pop-Up Farmers Market
🗓 Saturday, Sept. 5, 9 AM-12 PM
📍RWP Gateway Center

Shop locally grown produce, farm-fresh eggs, and seasonal fruits; enjoy music from DJ Flip; and learn about community resources. WIC, SFMNP, SNAP (Double Up Food Bucks), Square, and more are accepted.

08/31/2026

Our next episode of Swan Stories features Roz Raskin of the dreamy Providence-based band NOVA ONE! Roz shares some of their favorite memories spent at Roger Williams Park (including actual swan encounters!), the full-circle experience of writing and touring NOVA ONE’s latest album, “how to kiss”, building community around music, and more!

Subscribe to RWPC’s email newsletter to get the full interview in your inbox tomorrow (and more park highlights!), or to our YouTube channel – follow the links in our bio!

Thank you to RWP Boathouse Café & Bar for setting us up with a boat to film on the lake! 🦢

Do you or someone you know live near Roger Williams Park and want to show off your beautiful garden or home? If so, we w...
08/30/2026

Do you or someone you know live near Roger Williams Park and want to show off your beautiful garden or home? If so, we want to hear from you! 🌸🏡

We're exploring options for a garden tour, open house, or similar fundraising event showcasing the neighborhoods surrounding the park, and benefitting Roger Williams Park Conservancy, in 2027.

Fill out our form to let us know if you may be willing to donate your garden, home, or insights: https://forms.gle/x8skhKy3Ejm3t1Ph9

Squeeze in these family-friendly (and free!) events before back-to-school season is in full swing! Visit our calendar (l...
08/25/2026

Squeeze in these family-friendly (and free!) events before back-to-school season is in full swing! Visit our calendar (link in bio) for more fun things to do at Roger Williams Park.

🌕 Meet outside the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium for a Moon Hike Wednesday at 7:30 PM.

💧 Sign up for the Watershed Walk Launch Party hosted by Stormwater Innovation Center and Audubon Society of Rhode Island on Thursday at 5:30 PM. Learn about the immersive project, which features community art and stories, and stick around for fun activities!

🌳 Take a walk with Nonviolence Institute and community members during our weekly Partner Peace Walk Friday at noon.

🍕 Food Truck Friday takes over Carousel Village at 5 PM on Friday thanks to PVD Food Truck Events and Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village

🐚 Summer Shellabration continues daily through Sept. 6 at Museum of Natural History and Planetarium with hands-on activities, museum quests, and planetarium shows!

See you at Gentle Yoga at the Park this evening (Monday) at 6 PM! It's the perfect weather for a rejuvenating stretch ou...
08/24/2026

See you at Gentle Yoga at the Park this evening (Monday) at 6 PM! It's the perfect weather for a rejuvenating stretch outside! Join for a free, approachable yoga session outside the Betsey Williams Cottage.

Reminder: no yoga next Monday, August 31 – so don't miss this week!

Today's Partner Peace Walk is canceled due to rain – see you next Friday at noon!
08/21/2026

Today's Partner Peace Walk is canceled due to rain – see you next Friday at noon!

We're excited to host another Save the Bay clean-up at the softball fields at Roger Williams Park on September 18, 10 AM...
08/20/2026

We're excited to host another Save the Bay clean-up at the softball fields at Roger Williams Park on September 18, 10 AM-12 PM! Mark your calendars, and sign up online (link in bio) to be a part of this community effort to beautify the park, while also contributing important data to International Coastal Cleanup as we pick up trash and record what we find!

Hope to see you there! 🌳

In case you haven't heard...Roger Williams Park is kinda chic 😎Visit our calendar to learn more about the events mention...
08/18/2026

In case you haven't heard...Roger Williams Park is kinda chic 😎

Visit our calendar to learn more about the events mentioned here and many more!

https://www.rwpconservancy.org/events/

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1000 Elmwood Avenue
New Providence, PA
02907

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