Salter Grove

Meet the New Parks and Recreation Director

/ Jason Major / Leave a comment

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. 

Nature Red in Tooth and Claw

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Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk with freshly-captured squirrel 

While working on the nature trails on Tuesday, November 17th, a hawk flew right toward us, struggling to keep hold of a squirrel in its talons. It graciously posed for some photos, and then flew to a limb tangle where it was better able to pin the squirrel down for a feast. It must have been very hungry because it even stripped the fur off the squirrel’s tail, presumably to access the tidbits there.

An hour later, a large raccoon was spotted sleeping 35 feet up on a black oak bough, not far from the hawk’s feeding perch.

Then an immature bald eagle soared by over South Cove.

Finally, the same hawk was seen close up, feeding on another bird, but unfortunately the camera battery had died.

Salter Grove—who needs a documentary when you can see it live? 

If You Want It Done Right…

/ Jason Major / Leave a comment
Passerby Jason was Tom Sawyered into painting several lines

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.

Not bad for amateurs!

Gotong Royong Gets It Done

/ Jason Major / 2 Comments

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! 

FoSG members and other volunteers spread mulch on the playground plantings.