July 2, 2007 ~ Not far from the renovated mills, along the Pawtuxet River in West Warwick, 
the Kent County Jaycees are estoring the river paths and maintaining the area around a wide-open playing field.
On Saturday I went out to see what they've been doing.
Through this gateway, there's access to a canoe launch onto the Pawtuxet River. Once you are down there, you would have to decide: sit on the bench to 
watch the river flow and enjoy the flowers planted by town school children, or launch out onto the placid river for a tranquil trip up or down the stream.
The
kids planted flowers in little beds they outlined all along the path ~ very cheerful. The Jaycees plan to reclaim more of the river path, which is so quickly overrun by the flourishing vegetation.
The park, the walkway, and the river path were so lovely on yet another great outdoor day in Rhode Island, that, if they hadn't told me, I would never have known that the playing field was once the town landfill. 
Actually the landfill is still here under this benign-looking park, and while it is not considered unsafe, it does need to be capped better than it is. 
You just never know where people have created hazardous conditions in the past, unless you ask around, investigate, or dig below the surface. A lesson here, somewhere. More about this landfill in a future post.
They are working out there at River Park frequently, and they welcome your help. Contact Jack if you can lend a hand.
On an extremely beautiful early Summer morning, the JAYCEES were pleasantly surprised to welcome The Providential Gardener and its founder and author, Susan Korté.
Sue was able to speak with several of our members as they worked shift times to accommodate their busy family lives while spending and helping out at our award-winning JAYCEE Corridor & Arboretum.
The Providential Gardener is a Godsend resource to all the wonderful efforts employed by so many dedicated garden and open space enthusiasts upon the public (and private) lands of God's green
E a r t h !
Sue really captured the essence of the pristine and tranquil Arboretum with the fine photography of the picturesque Senator Roch RIVERWALK at the confluence of the longest Rhode Island waterway - The Pawtuxet River.
The snapshot images of the school children's plant and bed design was just right as it blended the extraordinary sweat equity of JAYCEES and some wonderful volunteers that keep the spirit alive for our deep appreciation of our precious public lands.
Thanks to Sue and the Providential Gardener for making more of us aware and connecting people for green persuasion throughout our great Ocean State!
Posted by: John (JACK) Lancellotta | Friday, July 06, 2007 at 12:03 PM