Roger Williams Park, in the southern part of the city of
Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island, and one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the estimated second or third largest city in the New England region...
, is an elaborately landscaped city park and National Historic District. The park is named after the founder of the city of Providence and one of the founders of the state of
Rhode IslandRhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
,
Roger WilliamsRoger Williams was an English theologian, a notable proponent of religious toleration and the separation of church and state and an advocate for fair dealings with Native Americans...
. The land for the park was a gift to the people of Providence in 1871, in accordance with the will of Betsey Williams, the great-great-great-granddaughter, and last surviving descendant of the founder to own the land.
Roger Williams Park, in the southern part of the city of
Providence, Rhode IslandProvidence is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island, and one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the estimated second or third largest city in the New England region...
, is an elaborately landscaped city park and National Historic District. The park is named after the founder of the city of Providence and one of the founders of the state of
Rhode IslandRhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
,
Roger WilliamsRoger Williams was an English theologian, a notable proponent of religious toleration and the separation of church and state and an advocate for fair dealings with Native Americans...
. The land for the park was a gift to the people of Providence in 1871, in accordance with the will of Betsey Williams, the great-great-great-granddaughter, and last surviving descendant of the founder to own the land. It had been the family farm and represented the last of the original land grant to Roger Williams in 1638 from
CanonicusCanonicus was a Native American chief of the Narragansett. He was a firm friend of English settlers.Canonicus was born around 1565. In 1636, he gave Roger Williams the large tract of land which became the first nucleus of the colony of Providence Plantation...
, chief of the
NarragansettNarragansett may refer to:*Narragansett *Narragansett, Rhode Island, a town*Narragansett Bay*Narragansett *Narragansett Turkey*Narragansett, a dialect of the Massachusett language...
tribe. The family farmhouse (built in 1773), known as the
Betsey Williams Cottage, and the Williams Family burial ground (including Betsey's grave) are still maintained within the park.
The park also contains seven lakes which comprise approximately . It is located in the southernmost part of the city of Providence bordering the city of
CranstonCranston, once known as Pawtuxet, is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. With a population of 79,269 at the 2000 census, it is the third largest city in the state. The center of population of Rhode Island is located in Cranston...
. The park was designed by
Horace ClevelandHorace William Shaler Cleveland was a noted American landscape architect, sometimes considered second only to Frederick Law Olmsted...
in 1878, and was constructed in the 1880s. Many of the roads, bridges and sidewalks were built by the
Works Progress AdministrationThe Works Progress Administration was the largest "New Deal" agency, employing millions of people and affecting almost every locality in the United States, especially rural and western mountain populations...
from 1935 to 1940. Currently it contains the
Roger Williams Park ZooThe Roger Williams Park Zoo of Providence, Rhode Island, USA houses over 1000 animals representing 139 species, including bald eagles, snow leopards, Asian black bears, giraffes, and African elephants, in naturalistic settings. Founded in 1872, it is the nation's third oldest zoo...
, the Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History and Planetarium, the
Roger Williams Park Botanical CenterThe Roger Williams Park Botanical Center is located in Roger Williams Park in Providence, Rhode Island. It opened in 2007. It includes two connected greenhouses filled with plants, fountains, a fish pond and a small waterfall. It is the largest indoor garden open to the public in New England....
, the Japanese Gardens, the Victorian Rose Gardens, the Providence Police Department's Mounted Command center, the Dalrymple Boathouse and boat rentals, historical tours, a Carousel Village for children that includes the "
HasbroHasbro is a U.S.-based, multinational toy and boardgame company. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States. The majority of its products, however, are manufactured overseas.-History:In 1923, two brothers—Henry...
Boundless Playground" which is accessible for handicapped children, the Temple to Music, the Roger Williams Park Casino, large greenspaces, and many miles of walking paths.
The
National Trust for Historic PreservationThe National Trust for Historic Preservation is an American member-supported organization that was founded in 1949 by congressional charter to support preservation of historic buildings and neighborhoods through a range of programs and activities....
has declared Roger Williams Park to be one of the finest
urban parkAn urban park, also known as a municipal park or a public park or open space , is a park in cities and other incorporated places to offer recreation and green space to residents of and visitors to the municipality...
s in the U.S.
See also
- Roger Williams Park Zoo
The Roger Williams Park Zoo of Providence, Rhode Island, USA houses over 1000 animals representing 139 species, including bald eagles, snow leopards, Asian black bears, giraffes, and African elephants, in naturalistic settings. Founded in 1872, it is the nation's third oldest zoo...
, third oldest in the U.S., and one of the top 20 zoos in the country
- Roger Williams National Memorial
Roger Williams National Memorial is a landscaped urban park located on a common lot of the original settlement of Providence, Rhode Island, by Roger Williams in 1636. Bounded by North Main, Canal, and Smith Streets and Park Row, the memorial commemorates the life of the co-founder of the Colony of...
, a distinct park in downtown Providence
- Prospect Terrace Park
Prospect Terrace Park is a park located on Congdon Street in the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island. The park, founded in 1867, overlooks the city's downtown.Author and Providence native H. P...
, park located in Providence's College HillCollege Hill is a neighborhood in Providence, Rhode Island, and one of six neighborhoods comprising the East Side of Providence and part of College Hill Historic District. It is roughly bounded by North Main Street to the west, Power Street to the south, Governor Street and Arlington Avenue to...
neighborhood