Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council

06/03/2026

Temporary Closure Notice: Merino Park Entrance Improvements

Beginning as early as the week of June 15, 2026, the entrance to Merino Park at Heath Street will be temporarily closed while improvements are constructed to create a safer, greener, and more welcoming gateway to the Woonasquatucket River Greenway and Merino Park.

Closure Hours
Monday–Friday
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

During these hours, the Heath Street entrance and parking lot will not be accessible.

Alternative Parking Locations
View parking information here: tinyURL.COM/HEATHSTREETPVD

Emergency Access
Emergency access to the park will remain available from Glenbridge Avenue via the bike path.

Project improvements include:
- Enhanced pedestrian and cyclist safety with a separated travel lane
- A welcoming gateway entrance connecting residents to the Greenway and Merino Park
- Green infrastructure, landscaping, and stormwater treatment features
- Improved access to playgrounds, athletic fields, trails, the parkour course, and Woony Adventure Park

Once completed, this project will strengthen connections between neighborhoods, improve safety, expand green infrastructure, and provide easier access to recreation and nature along the Woonasquatucket River.

City of Providence, Providence City Council, Providence Parks Department, Providence Department of Recreation, Providence Housing Authority

06/03/2026

BIG NEWS! After decades of contamination from former industrial operations, cleanup efforts at the Centredale Manor Superfund Site are moving into a major new phase. Active removal of contaminated soil is expected to begin by fall 2026 or spring 2027, with work continuing over the next 6–7 years to remove dioxin-contaminated sediments and soils from the Woonasquatucket River and surrounding floodplain. The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council is proud to be a partner in this effort, helping plan for the future restoration of river habitat and public access once cleanup is complete. This long-awaited project marks another important step toward a healthier river and watershed for future generations.

NORTH PROVIDENCE – Work to remediate properties contaminated decades ago by manufacturing operations will continue over the next year, with the responsible parties to begin soil removal at Centredale Manor.

05/26/2026

WRWC proudly celebrated the graduation of the first-ever Arboleros Training Program cohort! 🌳🎓
Over 10 weeks, 15 participants explored urban forestry, tree stewardship, and environmental justice through hands-on bilingual learning and community connection. Thank you to everyone who helped make this incredible first cohort possible — and congratulations to our graduates for growing Providence’s future urban forest leaders.

WRWC celebrates the graduation of 15 participants from the first bilingual Arboleros urban forestry training program.

05/26/2026

WRWC recently joined river advocates, environmental justice leaders, and community organizations from across the country at River Rally 2026 in San Antonio, Texas, hosted by the River Network. Throughout the conference, WRWC staff learned about water justice, Indigenous leadership, climate resilience, and community-led environmental solutions while also sharing our own work in Providence. Layla, Nuestros Bosques Program Coordinator, and Adri, Resilience Hub Coordinator, presented on both initiatives, highlighting WRWC’s efforts in urban forestry, environmental education, and neighborhood resilience. Sessions throughout the week emphasized the importance of Indigenous knowledge, equitable climate planning, storytelling, and treating rivers as living systems connected to culture, history, and community wellbeing. River Rally reinforced a powerful message that continues to guide our work along the Woonasquatucket River: protecting water means protecting relationships.

WRWC at River Rally 2026: Indigenous leadership, water justice, and climate resilience lessons from San Antonio.

05/26/2026

Join us for a FREE Sustainable Gardening Workshop at Joslin Community Garden on Saturday, May 30 from 12 PM –1 PM!

We’re excited to partner with Charlotte Canner of Earth Ally, a passionate educator and leader in Rhode Island’s composting and waste reduction community, for this hands-on educational workshop focused on sustainable gardening practices, integrated pest management, and the power of composting.

Charlotte has worked with organizations including Harvest Cycle, Epic Renewal, and the Rhode Island School Recycling Project, and currently serves as Recycling Coordinator for South Kingstown and Narragansett. Her work centers on building healthier soils, reducing waste, and strengthening communities through compost education.

- Open to all ages
- Accessible to English & Spanish speakers
- Joslin Community Garden — 40 Florence St, Providence
- Rain or shine (tents provided if needed!)

Light refreshments and tools will be provided. Pre-registration is encouraged so you can skip the waiver on-site. Questions? Email [email protected]

https://ow.ly/XeY150Z4kan

05/24/2026

18 participants joined WRWC’s FrogWatch Volunteer Training at the Leo Bouchard Conservation Center. Families and individuals from across Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts learned how to identify frog calls and support community science monitoring. The hands-on training sparked strong engagement and enthusiasm for local amphibian conservation, with participants excited to continue monitoring efforts in their own communities.

8 volunteers joined WRWC’s FrogWatch training to learn frog call monitoring and support local amphibian conservation in Rhode Island.

05/23/2026

Nuevas Voces participants wrapped up their 10-month program with powerful final presentations, sharing real-world advocacy plans for issues like flooding, park preservation, tree equity, and river restoration. From imagining a swimmable Woonasquatucket River to protecting neighborhood green spaces, graduates showed how community voices can shape a more resilient and just Providence.

Nuevas Voces participants present final advocacy projects on climate resilience, parks, flooding, and environmental justice in Providence.

05/22/2026

Community members gathered with WRWC, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Rhode Island Department of Health Centredale Elementary School for an open house focused on the ongoing Centredale Manor Superfund cleanup and the future of the Woonasquatucket River corridor. Residents had the opportunity to ask questions about remediation efforts, public health, river access, habitat restoration, and long-term Greenway improvements near Sherman Field. The evening created space for meaningful dialogue about environmental recovery, community stewardship, and the shared future of the Woonasquatucket River.

Residents joined EPA, RIDEM, RIDOH, and WRWC to discuss the Centredale Manor cleanup and future Greenway plans.