Great outdoors A short list of destinations for shaking off winter doldrums BY CRISTI LAQUER
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RHODE ISLAND’S seasonal jack-in-the-box has been cranked far enough, and after one of the snowiest winters in recent memory, spring has finally sprung. The people of the Ocean State can burst out from behind their storm windows and heavy coats, once again, to find themselves citizens of the outdoor world.

Providence and its environs provide many interesting outdoor destinations for hiking, walking, and biking. So as a public service to all those who need a bit of inspiration to catapult them out of the house, we have assembled the following list of places to expend energy saved up during this winter’s long hibernation.

BIKING BY THE BAY

The East Bay Bike Path, the state’s oldest maintained cycling path, covers 14.5 miles of an abandoned railroad along the Narragansett Bay. Ten feet wide and almost flat, the bike path is an ideal trail for bikers interested in taking in the sights and sounds of the waterfront and viewing the state parks through which the trail passes. Its easy grade makes it a great place for even a beginning rider to burn a few pounds outside of the gym.

Panoramic views, a well-maintained riding surface, and an occasional sighting of wildlife make this bike path a destination for many bikers and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the region. The park is heavily used in good weather. Among many positive reviews, the only complaint we heard from riders was occasional crowdedness.

Bikers can access the East Bay Bike Path from any of 49 intersections, and parking is available in East Providence on Veterans Parkway south of I-195. The path was completed in 1992 and will eventually be linked with the Blackstone River Bikeway, which is currently under construction.

Information about the East Bay Bike Path (including a video of a ride and current weather information) can be obtained online at www.eastbaybikepath.com.

BOULEVARD OF SCREAMS

The historic Blackstone neighborhood in Providence showcases residences that exemplify Victorian architecture, and its centerpiece, Blackstone Boulevard, is one of the most beautifully landscaped roads in the city. Completed in 1894, the boulevard connects the Waterman and Angell corridor at the south, and to Hope Street to the north.

The boulevard is adjacent to Swan Point Cemetery, where H.P. Lovecraft is buried under an epithet reading, "I Am Providence." The circa 1847 gothic architecture of nearby Butler Hospital, one of the oldest psychiatric institutions in the country, adds to the historic interest of the setting, which overlooks the Seekonk River. The neighborhood epitomizes Providence’s reputation as the setting of some eerie gothic ghost stories.

Great for walking and jogging through historic climes, Blackstone Boulevard is located in the northeast section of Providence’s East Side.

THE FOREST AND THE TREES

Often host to weddings, concerts, and other special events, Goddard Memorial State Park provides visitors with many opportunities to breathe in the salt air with family and friends. The park features a newly renovated salt-water beach with a bathhouse, many forested areas to explore, more than 350 picnic tables, and a nine-hole golf course. Other facilities, such as the park’s sheltered picnic sites, gazebos, and 11 sports fields, can be rented for a daily fee.

Situated on west side of the Narragansett Bay, Goddard Memorial State Park was created by local philanthropist Henry Russell when he began a tree-planting campaign in 1874 on what was then sandy land unusable for agricultural purposes. It now boasts a collection of many varieties of trees from all over the world.

Eighteen miles of equestrian trails on the park’s grounds are home to C&L Stables’ riding lessons, which are offered seven days a week for an hourly fee.

Goddard Memorial State Park is located at 345 Ives Rd., Warwick, and can be reached by phone at (401) 884-2010.

THE REAL MCCOY

Home to the Pawtucket Red Sox, the top minor league team of the Boston Red Sox, McCoy Stadium offers the charm of an old-fashioned trip out to the ball game. With a capacity of 10,000, the stadium is an intimate setting with a grandstand that puts some viewers within a few yards of home plate. The PawSox are AAA members of baseball’s International League.

A few exhausted PawSox fans might recall how the stadium is known as the home of professional baseball’s longest game. In April 1981, the Sox played for 33 innings against the Rochester Red Wings over two days. The tie game lasted until after 4 in the morning, and was won by the PawSox when it resumed more than two months later.

Following a renovation in 1999 that added nearly 3000 seats, McCoy has maintained its inexpensive, family-friendly appeal. The stadium is located on Ben Mondor Way in Pawtucket, and visitors can find information about the stadium and the PawSox at www.pawsox.com.

IN THE NAVY

Fort Adams State Park is located on Newport Harbor, and provides visitors a spectacular panoramic view of the harbor and the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. The park is equipped with facilities for saltwater swimming, picnicking, fishing, boating, and field sports. For those with an interest in the lives of the rich and famous, the park also houses the Museum of Yachting, which features exhibits on "Yachting in Newport — the Golden Age."

Fort Adams was originally constructed in 1824 as an Army base and named for John Adams, the nation’s second president. It served the United States Army until the 1950s, and the Navy for a decade, before being deeded to the state in 1965. Fort Adams remains the largest coastal fortification in the United States.

To reserve tours of the fort, call (401) 841-0707. More information is available at www.fortadams.org.

A VIEW TO HEALTH

Located on Route 114 in Bristol, Colt State Park is a picturesque location in which to spend a day outdoors. It contains 10 playing fields, hundreds of picnic tables, and four miles of bicycle trails, including a section of the East Bay Bike Path.

The Department of Environmental Management, the Division of Parks and Recreation, the American Heart Association, and the Rhode Island Prevention Coalition have teamed up to sponsor a Path to Health in Colt State Park. On the path’s main loop walkers can find a fitness station before they take the trail through the woods, where Rhode Island wildlife can often be spotted. The path continues to Narragansett Bay, provides beautiful views of saltwater marshlands, and makes its way to the town beach.

While visiting Colt State Park, be on the lookout for two unusual statues of bulls that were placed there by the original owner of Colt Farm, who also left behind a historic stone barn.

Visitors can find information about Colt State Park in Bristol by visiting www.riparks.com/colt.htm or by calling (401) 253-7482.

PINK ELEPHANTS

The region’s premier zoo is an exciting and convenient place for the whole family to spend a spring day outdoors. Roger Williams Park Zoo, located at 1000 Elmwood Ave. in Providence, is home to more than 1000 animals housed in naturalistic environments. The zoo, which is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, and participates in the association’s Species Survival Plan, has won numerous awards as a family destination and center for conservation. The Roger Williams Park Zoo boasted more visitors than any other outdoor tourist destination in Rhode Island last year.

The zoo will host programs showcasing its conservation projects during Conservation Week, April 18-22. April 23 is Earth Day, which the zoo celebrates with a day of events including theatrical performances and an Environmental Fair.

Roger Williams Park Zoo is open seven days a week and in all weather conditions. It can be found on the web at www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org, and reached by phone at (401) 785-3510.

GET THEE TO A SANCTUARY

For the serious hiker or anyone with an interest in the great outdoors, the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middleton provides enough quasi-wilderness to occupy several spring days. The sanctuary is made up of more than 300 acres of wildlife refuge and it contains seven miles of hiking trails. Hikers can venture up Hanging Rock for a spectacular view of the ocean and the rest of the refuge. Eleven distinct trails offer visitors many different views of local wildlife and varying levels of difficulty. The Quarry Trail, for instance, is cultivated to encourage foxes, rabbits, and mice to settle along it. For descriptions of each of the Sanctuary’s trails, visit www.normanbirdsanctuary.org.

Dates for the Norman Bird Sanctuary’s annual "Birds & Breakfast" have not yet been determined. At that event, visitors watch the birds during guided morning walks, which are followed by a breakfast buffet. "Birds & Breakfast" takes place each spring during the peak of bird migration.

The Norman Bird Sanctuary was established in 1950, and is the largest open land preserve in Newport County. Its visitors’ center and gift shop are housed in a barn that dates from the 1800s. The sanctuary is located at 583 Third Beach Road in Middleton.