Rhode Island Greenways

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Trail description: 24-mile linear trail links Providence to the Connecticut border and forms a section of the East Coast Greenway. The trail is composed of six sections:

Cranston Bike Path - 5.5 miles paved
West Warwick Greenway - 3 miles paved
Warwick Greenway - 1.5 miles paved
Coventry Greenway - 3 miles paved
Washington Secondary Bike Path - 2 miles gravel (paving scheduled for 2004)
Trestle Trail - 10 miles between Coventry and the Connecticut border has a rough surface with some soft spots and will eventually be resurfaced

Access fee: None
Towns along the trail: Cranston, Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry, RI
Web site: RI Greenway
Trail map: Available at Greenway Cycles, Route 117, Coventry
Trail surface: Most of the trail is paved, except for a few miles near the CT border that will be gravel when completed
Designated activities: Bicycling, walking, inline skating and cross-country skiing
Trail accessibility for people with physical limitations: Very easy access from most parking areas
Facilities on the trail: Numerous restaurants along Oaklawn Ave in Cranston, and Route 117 in West Warwick & Coventry.
Points of interest: Much of the north/central part of the trail runs through suburban neighborhoods. Once in Coventry it becomes more rural, with beautiful views of Flat River Reservoir. In western Coventry the pavement stops and there is gravel to the CT border. This is rural & beautiful. There are many road crossings throughout, but they are all marked. There are pedestrian signals for lights across the most busy roads. People in cars are usually generous about stopping to let bikers/walkers proceed.
Lodging: Providence region has several hotels and other accommodations
Camping:
Bike shops: In Coventry
Getting to the trail: To start at the north end, park in the lot of K-Mart on Garfield Ave in Cranston. You can see the trail pass by the K-Mart wall.
Also in Cranston there is parking and access at businesses along Oaklawn Ave. The trail can be seen from the street - there are wooden railings which make it easy to find.
In Warwick, park in a dirt lot beneath 295, just northwest of Warwick Mall, across Route 2 and behind the hotel.
In Coventry, traveling west on Route 117, you can see the trail go over the RR bridge that says "Coventry" on it. Turn right onto Station St. after the bridge and park in the lot on the left side.
Weather forecast: Providence
Tourism info: Providence Tourism Council
Map of local region: Cranston | Coventry
Submitted by: Shannon
from: Cranston RI
Date submitted: Nov 7, 2003

Rate this section of trail

Number of ratings: 1
Average rating: 4.50

Trail name: RI Greenways
I have used the trail: Weekly
Date of my last visit: Oct, 2003
Best time to go: all year!
Sections covered: the entire trail
Favorite sections: along the reservoir in coventry
Activities I have done on the trail: Bicycling, walking, inline skating and cross-country skiing
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: This is a neighborhood trail. We love it because we can walk five minutes to use it, and then walk for an hour with very little contact with traffic. I would use it for work if I could. It's very well-maintained. Today, in the midst of fall, there were some leaves on the trail, but they had been cleaned up recently so there weren't enough to be a nuisance or a slip hazard.
What I disliked: I can't wait til the last bridge repairs are done!
Additional comments: The trail has a couple markers, but no more are necessary. Seeing the pavement and fences/railings continue are all you need.
Submitted by: Shannon
from: Cranston RI
Date submitted: Nov 7, 2003