From Robert McMahon, Superintendent, Providence Parks Department

To All Visitors to the Blackstone Park Conservation District

This park belongs to all the citizens of Providence and is cared for the Parks Department and volunteers.

In order to protect vital undergrowth and the trees themselves, volunteers supported by the department and aided by the Appalachian Mountain Club and the RI Department of Environmental Management have been working together for years to line trails with logs and protecting bluffs with fences.

We encourage visitors to stay on the trails and keep out of the woods so that all may enjoy walking here. Please control your children and pets. Vandalism in the woods hurts the entire community. In recent months, one or more individuals have been breaking the stakes that hold the logs in place and moving the logs.

At the same time, untended dogs running free have damaged many mountain laurel trees, some of which were planted by the city over 100 years ago. Chewed off branches and dug up roots signify the failure of a few owners to take responsibility for animals in their charge.

Anyone who disrupts trail work or who causes or allows damage to plants is breaking the law. If you care about this park, please do your part. Let others know that destructive behavior is unacceptable. 

And report vandalism to the Parks Department at 785-9450, x 201 or to Lt. John Ryan at 243-6990. If we act together as a community can we preserve this precious woodland for ourselves and our children.

Robert McMahon, Superintendent, Providence Parks Dept. @ 785-9450, X 201