Friends of Salter Grove

An Enlightening Outdoor Experience 

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On June 1st, 2023, 4th- and 5th-graders from St. Peter School walked to Salter Grove accompanied by three teachers and five 8th-grade honor students. 

Students and teachers from St. Peter School

During the 90-minute visit, information from the Guide to Salter Grove was accessed by smartphone to to explore and learn about the ecological assets of the park. 

Talking about what will be seen on the nature trails. 

Science topics discussed in the classroom came to life for students and teachers alike. 

Students recorded observations in journals.

Organized into small groups, they walked along nature trails to observation stations that featured examples of: glacial history and geology of Rhode Island; native versus introduced plants; impact of invasive plants; different kinds of aquatic and terrestrial habitats; tolerance of marsh plants to brackish water; and human impact on the environment. 

Examining glacial striations along Upland Trail. 

And all this, from just six of 23 observation stations! 

Inside the knotweed jungle. 

Dr. Susan Unger, the science teacher who organized this field trip, would like to continue using Salter Grove as an outdoor classroom. Future field trips would focus on fewer topics so students can dive more deeply into the subject matter. Instead of simply noting down observations, they could collect data to answer specific questions formulated during classroom discussion. 

See more photos from the St. Peter School field trip below:

(Photos by FoSG member Jason Major)

Survey Says: Salter Grove Visitors Want Safe Breakwater Access and Improved Play Areas

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Access to the popular Salter Grove breakwater for sightseeing and fishing remains an important feature for park visitors.

The results of our survey are in and it’s clear that concerned citizens and park visitors want safer access to the breakwater and an improved playground at George B. Salter Memorial Grove! Learn more about the results below:

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Friends of Salter Grove Featured in The Bridge

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Mary Grady's article about Friends of Salter Grove in the Spring 2016 issue of The Bridge

Mary Grady’s article about Friends of Salter Grove in the Spring 2016 issue of The Bridge

The ongoing efforts of the Friends of Salter Grove have been featured in the Spring 2016 issue of The Bridge, the newspaper of the Pawtuxet Village Association. Written by FOSG member Mary Grady, the article discusses our main goals to repair the causeway and shoreline access as well as acquire funding to improve the playground equipment and enhance the property throughout the park. The article can be viewed above, and you can read the entire Spring 2016 issue here or by picking a copy up at one of the many businesses around Pawtuxet Village.

Junior Scientists Study Salter Grove

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Students from St. Peter School test the salinity of Salter Grove's waters, May 23, 2016

Students from St. Peter School test the salinity of Salter Grove’s waters, May 23, 2016

On May 23, 2016 the fourth- and fifth-grade students from St. Peter School in Warwick visited Salter Grove with their teachers to learn about interactions of plants and animals with their environment and explore the many different natural ecosystems of the park. It was a great way to learn about nature and how to conduct scientific work “in the field.”  Below are some photos from the day’s events taken by FoSG member Jason Major.

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Warwick Downs Remembered: Memories of Salter Grove’s Past

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The Warwick Athletic Club, purchased by the Brehanys in 1936 as a summer cottage. (Credit: The Bridge)

The Warwick Athletic Club in 1918, purchased by the Brehanys in 1936 as a summer cottage. (Credit: The Bridge)

Before it was called George B. Salter Memorial Grove it was known as Warwick Downs—a place where residents enjoyed swimming, boating, picnicking, and all sorts of outdoor activities amongst a community of small summer cottages along Narragansett Parkway. In 1993 one former Warwick resident, Margie Degnan, shared some of her summertime memories from Warwick Downs in an article printed in The Bridge, a local newspaper published by the Pawtuxet Village Association. Margie’s memories from the Grove recall a bygone time that seems all the more sweeter for its simplicity and focus on family and friends, and it’s wonderful to envision the area seeing so much use and enjoyment.

You can view a PDF of the article here or click the image below to see it full-screen.

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Salter Grove Project Featured in Warwick Post Article

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Portions of the causeway are currently flooded during even moderate high tides. (Credit: Jason Major)

A view of the Salter Grove Causeway leading to the breakwater, during high tide. The impassable footpath at high tide presents a risk for visitors and anglers. (Credit: Jason Major)

Our ongoing efforts to improve Salter Grove has been featured in an article in the Warwick Post, along with quotes from Rep. Joseph McNamara and FoSG member Jason Major.

According to the article, written by Rob Borkowski, McNamara said Lisa Primiano, Chief of the Division of Planning and Development at DEM, is working to secure funding for a plan to raise the height of the causeway above the high tide line, eliminating the drowning risk. “So things are moving along as quickly as they can with an environmental project,” McNamara said.

Read the full article here.