Trails, Walking & Running

Goddard Memorial State Park's trail network is its 18 miles of bridle trails, which RI DEM lists alongside hiking, walking and running and stroller-friendly paths. The trails wind through the park's woods and old estate groves on Greenwich Bay and are shared with horseback riders, so walkers should expect horses and give them room. The park is open sunrise to sunset, and leashed dogs are welcome.

The Bridle Trails

DEM gives Goddard 18 miles of bridle trails, and C and L Stables, which runs guided rides in the park, describes them as 18 miles of scenic trails overlooking the bay. They were laid out for riding, and state rules keep horses to designated areas and bridle trails. DEM does not publish a trail map with named routes or mileages for individual loops, and its site rental map does not draw them, so treat the network as a place to wander rather than a set of signed hikes.

Walking With Horses on the Trail

Because the trails are shared, a few habits make everyone safer:

• Step to one side and let riders pass; talk in a normal voice so the horse knows you are a person.
• Keep dogs close and on their leash, which state rules cap at six feet.
• Do not approach or feed the horses.
• Expect hoofprints and soft ground after rain, and wear closed shoes.

Lawns, Groves and Stroller-Friendly Paths

Not every walk at Goddard is on a trail. DEM describes the park as spacious lawns, fields and forested areas with trees from all over the world, and lists stroller-friendly paths among its experiences. The trees are the park's history in living form: Henry C. Russell, who built the estate's mansion, collected some 62 deciduous species and 19 varieties of evergreen, and the groves survived the Hurricane of 1938. The park road that loops around the golf course links the picnic fields, so a walk from the entrance end to the Oak and Maple groves and back is an easy outing with restrooms on the way (see the park map).

Running and Road Races

DEM lists walking and running among Goddard's experiences, and the City of Warwick's list of activities at the park includes road races. Organised races and group events need a special use permit from DEM; contact the park office at (401) 884-2010, ext. 1, to ask whether your event needs one.

Good For / Maybe Skip If

Good for: a long, quiet walk under big old trees; walkers who like woodland paths more than pavement; families who want a stroller loop with picnic tables and restrooms nearby.

Maybe skip if: you want marked, named hiking trails with posted mileages — DEM does not publish those for Goddard. If you want a paved waterfront path, Warwick City Park has three miles of paved bicycle paths, and Rocky Point State Park has stroller-friendly paths along the bay.

Seasons

Goddard is open all year. Riders are most likely on the trails from April to November: DEM's equestrian area runs April 1 to November 30, and C and L Stables lists rides Wednesday to Sunday. Winter walks are possible any day the park is open; it closes at sunset, which comes early in December.

Rules on the Trails

• The park closes at sunset; nobody may be inside between sunset and sunrise without written permission.
• Dogs must be on a leash of no more than six feet, and owners must clean up after them.
• Bicycles and e-bikes can be restricted by the regional park manager when conditions are unsafe; follow any posted order.
• Drones need official written permission.
• Carry out your trash; the City of Warwick's page on the park says all trash is carry in, carry out.

The rules page has the full list.