Governor Notte Park
love the state you're in hike 4/39
Governor Notte Park, North Providence, Rhode Island
Route: West River Trail
Length: 3 miles Elevation: 203 ft Time: 1:45 Rated: easy
Dogs: yes Kid friendly: yes
Date: 1-26-25
History: In 1636 Roger Williams was gifted a portion of land by the Narragansett Chief Canonicus and turned it into an English settlement for those who wished for religious freedom. By 1765, a group of farmers separated from the original Providence settlement to govern themselves as farmers. Before either of these changes took place it was known to the Narragansett, Nipmuc, and Wampanoag tribes as Wanskuck “at the steep/end place” where a brook flowed into what is now West River; and Mattetakonitt “at the great, distant spring”. The land was described as rich in resources, the place where the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck rivers met was teeming with wildlife and natural sources of water and travel. After becoming its own entity, North Providence slowly capitalized on the natural resources of the rivers, moving away from farming and expanding to the industrial age. The land size of the changed a few times until finally it became the North Providence we know today.
North Providence is the smallest town in Rhode Island, and on the map, contains very little in the way of green space. Governor Notte Park was built on the shore of Wenscott Reservoir (the towns major water source) and around the West River. It is named for a North Providence resident John Notte who served as the Governor of Rhode Island from 1961-63.
The hike: I didn’t have high hopes for this hike, knowing that it is right in the middle (on the edge technically) of a very urban space and in this sense, I was right. The whole trail system abuts private property - I was looking into backyards or at roads half the hike. While it wasn’t extremely uncomfortable, it made me wary, and I felt like an intruder.
The first part of this walk you are greeted with the lovely Wenscott Reservoir and a bridge over the West River which flows south through the park. From there, the paths are paved and with the neuropathy, walking on pavement can be excruciating, so I typically try to avoid it. I walked past the athletic fields towards the wooded trails and happened upon a part of the West River that opens alongside a mill and what is now the N. Providence Youth Center. It was here that I spooked a Great Blue Heron into flight. I have only seen a Great Blue Heron on the move twice, I’m hoping that if I am blessed to see one a third time I am able to get a photograph. I was too mesmerized, too slow with the zoom out function. But alas, I believe the third time will be the charm.
As I entered the wooded paths, I observed the signage - or lack there of. Sadly faded and outdated it was a sign of things to come. While there was signage on the trails, it was oddly placed, with no information, and often times pointed in the wrong direction. Thankfully, it is a *very small* space and easy to follow on your own accord. I stuck to one section only as my legs were already tired from the pavement portion. There was a few small slopes, pretty and creepy trees, a broken bridge over an unnamed ephemeral stream; tire swings and run-down things… the disarray was disenchanting. With the presence of athletic fields and swimming allowed at the Reservoir, I imagine it is a popular place, but not a place that gets enough maintenance.
Sadly, this hike is in the “won’t visit again” category for me. As I read more about it online I found that there are community events there and as I said the athletic fields are present, so it is too close in quarters to be enjoyable. I prefer wider open spaces. However, I do realize for many, this is a rather privileged stance, and it is wonderful to have a park in this manner for a very urban setting.
Thanks for being here with me,
much love,
Robyn
*I visit these places with deep acknowledgement that there was a time in history that this land was free and inhabited by the Indigenous people of Rhode Island. Every hike and story, I hope to include pieces of their legacy - I cannot go back in time - but I am fully aware of the privilege I have to walk in these regions as I am today.