Thanks to a generous grant from the Dziedzic Charitable Fund, two additional picnic tables and a bike rack were added to Salter Grove.
No doubt visitors will be thinking kindly of Brenda and John for making the park, and its wonderful views of the Bay, even more comfortable and enjoyable.
We also thank the Warwick Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation for installing this equipment.
Thanks to a donation in fond memory of Homer and Barbara Patrick there is a second bench on Audubon Hill from which to enjoy the view of the islets south of Rock Island.
Our generous donors made it possible to acquire custom benches crafted by Don Nguyen to maintain a unifying theme throughout the park.
With the shorebird breeding season coming up, this is indeed a timely addition—bring your binocs!
Beverly Wiley (pictured above) met with Ward 1 Councilperson Bill Foley and FoSG coordinator Peter Becker to discuss outstanding issues affecting Salter Grove.
The exchange included installation of amenities, parking safety, and city-wide park regulations (especially concerning vandalism) and their enforcement by police.
Bev wants to ‘get things done’, and that was music to our ears.
Bill and Mayor Picozzi have already helped with a City Council resolution and letter of support, respectively, for the parking safety project.
With the new playground and repaired causeway significantly increasing the number of visitors to Salter Grove, parking has become problematic. Cars were parked taking up two spaces, and traffic on the lawn was causing serious rutting and erosion.
With the blessing of the City of Warwick’s Highway Division, FoSG members and other volunteers painted 18 standard parking slots to restore order.
A car struck a tree on Narragansett Parkway on Sunday, November 8, then skidded down the embankment toward the pump house.
Just a hundred yards further north and it could have been children on the playground in the vehicle’s path.
So thank you FoSG member and state representative Joe McNamara and RIDOT for protecting our children.
Gotong royong is an Indonesian phrase that invokes the spirit of volunteerism, and refers to working together for the benefit of the community. That’s what happened during the past week as FoSG members and other civic-minded volunteers who can’t stand keeping still spread 35 yards of hardwood chips over the plantings around the playground.
Some of those plantings had to be replaced, following this summer’s drought. The thick mulch should help to conserve soil moisture and reduce weed emergence.
A light barrier reminds guardians to encourage their children to stay clear of the plantings, which are vulnerable to damage while their roots establish. With some help, they’ll look great in three years!
Friends of Salter Grove 