East Providence libraries celebrate Parks Service centennial

Highlights access to open space in Rhode Island

By Mike Rego
Posted 8/17/16

EAST PROVIDENCE — Weaver Library celebrates the Centennial of the National Park Service and Rhode Island's new Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park in a significant way with three …

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East Providence libraries celebrate Parks Service centennial

Highlights access to open space in Rhode Island

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Weaver Library celebrates the Centennial of the National Park Service and Rhode Island's new Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park in a significant way with three special events over the next week.

"We're doing this in part to help people realize what's out there for Rhode Islanders," said Joyce May, the Adult Services Librarian at Weaver.

The festivities begin on Monday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m. with resentation for all ages by Roger Williams National Memorial Park Ranger John McNiff, " Roger Williams and His Legacy." The next night, August 23, at the same time the theme of the discussion is "Discover Your New National Park!" Blackstone River Valley National Historic Park Ranger Kevin Klyberg will be on hand to tell the community about the new Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, which stretches from south central Massachusetts down through North Smithfield, Cumberland, Lincoln and Pawtucket.

Though no part of East Providence is included in the current park boundaries, Mr. Klyberg noted all of the city north of the Ten Mile River in Rumford is included within the boundary of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, and has been since 1986.

According to National Parks Service literature, President Obama signed the legislation that established the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park, the 402nd park in the national park system, in late 2014. Nearly a $1 million in appropriations, $927,000 to be exact according to Mrs. May, was included in the current national fiscal budget to begin the process of creating the park this year.

The park's description reads, "The Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park was established to help preserve, protect, and interpret the nationally significant resources that exemplify the industrial heritage of the Blackstone River Valley. The park will also support the preservation, protection, and interpretation of the urban, rural, and agricultural landscape features (including the Blackstone River and Canal) of the region that provide an overarching context for the industrial heritage of the Blackstone River Valley."

The week concludes with a concert by Warren-based performers Atwater & Donnelly on the library lawn, Thursday, Aug. 25, at 6 p.m., the 100th anniversary to the day President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill creating the National Parks Service.

The local musicians perform traditional American folk music and dance, blending harmonies and playing an array of instruments including guitar, dulcimer, tin whistle, harmonica, banjo and limberjacks, Atwater-Donnelly also offers an interpretation of freestyle Appalachian clog dancing.

This concert is free and open to all. The concert coincides with the weekly Weaver Farmers Market. Portu-Galo, one of East Providence's favorite food trucks, will be serving dinner and U.S. Representative David Cicilline, in whose district the new park resides, will speak about its creation.

"We want people to be informed about what the National Parks Service does. We want Rhode Islanders to know they have a new national park," Mrs. May added. "We want them to come listen to the speakers, come to the Farmers Market and enjoy some really fabulous music. It's a great week of events here at the library."

Weaver Library is located at 41 Grove Ave. Questions? Call 434-2453.

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Mike Rego

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.