Rocky Point State Park

Rocky Point State Park is the former Rocky Point amusement park on the Warwick Neck peninsula in Warwick, Rhode Island, reopened by the state in 2014 as a 120-acre passive-use coastal park. RI DEM lists walking and running, biking, rollerblading, birding, saltwater fishing and picnicking there, with an accessible fishing pier, restrooms and the arch from the 1964 World's Fair. Leashed dogs are welcome.

From Amusement Park to State Park

DEM describes Rocky Point as a place that "serves as a memory for many Rhode Islanders of generations past". Over more than 150 years the property held nature trails, a ferry pier, an observation tower, hotels, clambakes, restaurants, a swimming pool, rides, games and concerts, and DEM says 120 acres of land for public use within 10 miles of downtown Providence have drawn people there since 1850.

One piece of that history is tied to Goddard Park: the Loof carousel that later spun at Goddard ran at Rocky Point from 1907 until 1929, according to DEM's Goddard history. See the carousel page.

The state reopened the land to the public in 2014 as Rhode Island's newest coastal state park. Today it is a passive-use park: no rides, just paths, lawns and shoreline. DEM and the City of Warwick ask visitors to "take only pictures and leave only footprints".

The Arch

The best-known landmark is the arch from the 1964 World's Fair in Queens, New York, which DEM says was relocated to Rocky Point.

What to Do

DEM's list of experiences at Rocky Point:

• Walking, running and stroller-friendly paths
• Bicycling and rollerblading
• Hiking
• Birding
• Saltwater fishing from the accessible fishing pier
• Picnicking

DEM's photos also show vintage baseball games and movies in the park, and Rocky Point has a pavilion shelter. Group gatherings and events need DEM's go-ahead: contact Felicia.Celeberto@dem.ri.gov or (401) 884-2010, ext. 1 — the same office that handles Goddard — to find out whether an event needs a special use permit.

Who Owns What, and the Entrance Project

Rocky Point is a partnership: DEM says the park includes City-owned coastal land and State-owned interior land on the Warwick Neck peninsula. The City of Warwick, with DEM, is working on a Gateways Improvement Project to improve the park's entrances, building on a 2020 concept plan:

• Southern gateway (city entry): improvements to the city-owned parking lot, with a pedestrian plaza and better traffic flow at the intersection of Palmer Avenue and Rocky Point Avenue.
• Northern gateway (state entry): better access, safety and visibility along Palmer Avenue.

The project also aims at drainage and stormwater upgrades, resilience to coastal storms and better accessibility. DEM points to warwickri.gov for project news.

Dogs and Rules

DEM lists Rocky Point as pet-friendly. State rules require a leash of six feet or less and clean-up by the owner, and close state parks between sunset and sunrise. DEM does not list swimming at Rocky Point; state rules allow swimming only in designated areas, so swim at Goddard Park's beach instead.

Rocky Point or Goddard Park?

• For a short walk with history and bay views: Rocky Point.
• For a fishing pier: Rocky Point (Goddard lists a boat ramp but no pier).
• For swimming, golf, horseback riding and reserved picnics: Goddard.