Rhode Island State Park Histories
One hundred years ago in the dining room of the Hearthside House in the Town of Lincoln the Metropolitan Park Commission of Rhode Island authorized the purchase of Rhode Island's first state park on President Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday, February 12, 1909. Since that day, the Rhode Island's Division of Parks & Recreation has evolved from a visionary plan to a statewide network of historic and magnificent green spaces and greenways devoted to the public enjoyment of the outdoors. Below is a list of the state lands and a written history of each location.
| Beaches | Campgrounds | Parks | Other State Lands |
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World War II Veteran's State Park |
Blackstone River Bikeway & Visitor's Center |
Celebrating over 100 Years of Rhode Island State Parks tells the story of the state parks - from a visionary plan in the early 1900's to the network of historic and magnificent green spaces and greenways that it is today. Celebrating over 100 Years of Rhode Island State Parks features stunning footage, interviews with Park staff and personal stories of families who enjoy these precious natural areas. View the footage to the video here.
A written history of the Rhode Island State Parks, written by Albert T. Klyberg, L. H. D., can be found here.
