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The Pawtuxet River Authority and Watershed Council owns and maintains several conservation areas in the watershed where the public is welcome to access rivers, ponds, recreational walkways and hiking trails. As part of our mission to provide the local community with opportunities for recreation such as fishing and paddling, our fishing piers have been built with accessibility in mind to accommodate anglers of all abilities. Our light craft boat launches and conservation areas are listed below with a map and description.
The Pawtuxet River Authority and Watershed Council owns and maintains several conservation areas in the watershed where the public is welcome to access rivers, ponds, recreational walkways and hiking trails. As part of our mission to provide the local community with opportunities for recreation such as fishing and paddling, our fishing piers have been built with accessibility in mind to accommodate anglers of all abilities. Our light craft boat launches and conservation areas are listed below with a map and description.
Howard Conservation Area, Knight Street, Warwick, RI
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Pawtuxet River Authority and Watershed Council (PRAWC) owns a 50-acre parcel of land in the cities of Cranston and Warwick along the Mainstem Pawtuxet River, known as the Howard Conservation Area. The Conservation Area was formerly an ill-maintained expanse of illegal trash dumping, and abuts the former Cranston Sanitary Landfill which has undergone extensive environmental remediation. PRAWC has been steadily working to make this area a functional urban passive recreation facility as well as a wildlife refuge by combating illegal dumping, eliminating invasive plant species, encouraging native plant growth, and maintaining a former state institution historic cemetery. The Howard Conservation Area is now home to a number of species of wildlife, including a large herd of deer, wild turkey, fox, oriole, cormorant, redheaded woodpecker, night herons, wood duck, grey and blue heron. There is a relatively flat, but grassy rail trail along the northern edge, which connects to a hiking trail along the river looping back to the cemetery providing over a mile of urban trails that are open for the public.
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Pontiac Canoe Launch, Knight Street, Warwick, RI
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The Pontiac Canoe Launch is at the western edge of Howard Conservation Area, and the parking lot entrance is at the intersection of Knight and Pontiac Streets. It is a popular spot for canoes and kayaks to put-in at this access, and paddle downstream on the mainstem river, taking their boats out at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. PRAWC has been steadily working to make this area a functional urban passive recreation facility as well as a wildlife refuge. In addition, Osprey and, for the first time, American Bald Eagles, have been recently observed in this vicinity of the river.
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Crompton Village Fishing Pier and Canoe/Kayak Launch, West Warwick, RI
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Nestled on the South Branch of the Pawtuxet River in West Warwick, the Pawtuxet River Authority and Watershed Council maintains an accessible fishing pier and light craft (canoe/kayak) launch at the Crompton Mill Pond. The site is 1.5 acres and has onsite parking available. PRAWC operates the area by means of a non-compensatory "care and custody" lease agreement with the Town of West Warwick, and holds community clean-ups of the area in the spring and fall. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management stocks Crompton Mill Pond, making it a popular fishing spot in this urban area.
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Centerville Pond Fishing Area and Canoe/Kayak Launch, West Warwick, RI
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Further downstream from our Crompton Fishing Pier, PRAWC maintains and improves a river access park at Veteran's Square at Centerville Pond in West Warwick. PRAWC operates the area by means of a non-compensatory "care and custody" lease agreement with the Town of West Warwick, and holds community clean-ups of the area in the spring and fall. There is limited on-site parking at this urban location.
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Phenix-Harris Riverwalk, West Warwick-Coventry line, RI
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Stratteling the West Warwick -- Coventry line, the Phenix-Harris Riverwalk runs about 0.3 mile along the North Branch of the Pawtuxet River between Lincoln Ave, Coventry, and Fairview Ave in West Warwick. The grassy walking trail traverses the 1.5 acre PRAWC property, and is laid over former railroad lines. Eventually, PRAWC hopes to connect this small riverwalk to the longer Arkwright-Harris riverwalk to make a continuous trail.
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Harris Dam and Arkwright Riverwalk, Coventry, RI
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PRAWC owns the Harris Dam, on one acre near the Harris Lofts along Main Street in Harris Village, Coventry. This 19th century
textile mill dam abuts the PRAWC Arkwright-Harris Riverwalk, a walking trail which runs from the parking lot on Hill Street just under a mile in length through 4 acres. PRAWC is pursuing the development of a public trout fishing area and canoe portage at the dam to complement current improvements in the village. |
Randall Pond Conservation Area, Cranston, RI
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Tucked just off of Atwood Ave in Cranston, the PRAWC has created public access to the west shore of Randall Pond from Libera Street. To provide recreational opportunities to the densely populated urban community, PRAWC has built the first phase of a public canoe/kayak launch, fishing pier, and rest area. Although incomplete, in July 2016 the PRA opened the facility for limited recreation. The PRAWC is pursuing additional funding to complete the project, as the remaining shoreline is not publicly accessible.
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