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Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Haines Memorial State Park was established in 1911 and is a 101.7-acre park in the towns of Barrington and Riverside. There are benches, 33 picnic sites, and grills available for use in the summer. There are also boat ramps which lead to the Narragansett Bay. The park overlooks the bay. There are ball fields in the park, and the East Bay Bike Path goes through the park. Although the picnic season is only from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park is open year round from sunrise to sunset. The boat launch is to the right of the main park sign and additional parking is to the left. Drive your boat to the water's edge or pay to have it docked at the adjacent marina. The East Bay Bike Path passes through the park and pets are gladly permitted. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited and there is no fee for on-site parking.
Haines Memorial State Park is public recreation area in the town of Barrington on the northeastern side of Narragansett Bay, six miles (9.7 km) south of East Providence, Rhode Island. The state park offers picnicking, play fields, fishing and boating facilities, and is a stop on the East Bay Bike Path.
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Built in 1895 by Charles I.D. Looff, the foremost carousel designer of his time, the Crescent Park Carousel is a true masterpiece of wood sculpture. It was saved in the 1970s by a handful of residents, and later declared a historic monument. The historic nature of this building is further amplified by the grandeur of the architecture. This gazebo-esque structure is illuminated by windows, which are accented by stained glass, and surround the building on all sides. The 62 hand crafted horses and 4 chariots circle the elaborate embellishments of decorative panels, glass jewels, and bright lights. It moves to the original band organ music giving the rider a traditional carnival experience. To highlight the experience more, Looff’s Crescent Park Carousel offers additional entertainment for young children. The outside horses become the prime seating location for those interested in possibly winning a free carousel ride. During each rotation a mechanical arm extends dispensing many silver rings and one prized gold ring. The person to collect the golden ring wins a free ride. For those with the dull silver rings fear not, you still have the chance to throw them in the open mouth of the cloth clown. Along the inside of the building there is a souvenir shop with figurine horses and T-shirts to commemorate your trip to East Providence. Before the main entrance to the Crescent Park Carousel is the Blount Clam Shack, which serves steaming hot clam cakes and Del’s Lemonade to cool you down. Occasionally, there are antique car shows with local beauties in the carousel parking lot and lawn. Get the opportunity to take photos of some classics, pretend to joy ride while lounging in the front seat, and learn about each cars’ history. It also hosts birthday parties.
After riding the carousel and purchasing some of the tastiest clam cakes around, take a walk across the street to this 10-acre park, located along the beachfront of Narragansett Bay. It includes walking pathways, picnic tables, and benches with a scenic outlook. There is a welcoming gazebo and music amphitheater for live concerts and local entertainment. Explore the paths and wooden staircases that lead to the shoreline of Narragansett Bay. This area is great for the adventurous at heart (swim at your own risk), especially kids in search of sea shells and sand crabs. Take advantage of the romantic atmosphere - it's perfect for date nights.
Sabin Point is a waterfront park that has a loading ramp for boats, a dock, lighted basketball courts, a playground and plenty of picnic tables. It is a perfect place to stop in the summer and enjoy a family picnic or to just relax and enjoy a nice view. Also, a lot of natives enjoy the area by fishing along seashore wall in the park.
Located in the middle of Riverside, many people fish in the pond during the spring/summertime. There is a bridge at the end of this man-made pond that people use to cross the pond, and a trail that goes around the entire pond. During the wintertime, the pond is used for skating.
Established and built in 1871. It was deactivated and then relit again in 2006. It is not open to the public. The tower reaches 40 ft high and the lighthouse can be seen from the East Bay Bike Path.
Built for Lt. John Hunt Jr. circa 1750, the Hunt House serves as a historic museum, which displays furniture, documents, and memorabilia. The house and gardens have been nearly restored to its original appearance.