>> SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION.

PARTNERING WITH PASSIONATE RHODE ISLANDERS TO LEAD, TRANSFORM AND INSPIRE OUR STATE.

LEARN MORE AT RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION.ORG.

>> THE ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL OF RHODE ISLAND IS A COALITION OF NEARLY ENVIRONMENTAL -- EVERY ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP IN THE STATE TO ADVOCATE TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE OF RHODE ISLAND HAVE A CLEAN NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.

♪ >> THEY ARE A BEACON OF LIGHT IN A SEA OF UNENDING PROGRESS AT EXPANSION.

THEY ARE BEAUTY PERSONIFIED THROUGH AN OASIS OF GREEN SET WITHIN A CANOPY OF COLORS.

THEIR MAGNIFICENCE IS BREATHTAKING.

AND THEIR SPLENDOR UNRIVALED.

THEY ARE NATURE'S GIFT.

AND THEY ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL.

THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF PRISTINE WOODLANDS, SHORELINE AND OPEN FIELD.

THEY ARE OUR VERY OWN RHODE ISLAND STATE PARKS.

>> RHODE ISLAND STATE PARKS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY PROVIDE PEOPLE AN OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY TO SOCIALIZE.

I THINK YOU WILL FIND IN OUR STATE PARKS VIRTUALLY EVERY ETHNIC GROUP OR IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT ECONOMIC CLASS YOU COME FROM.

IT'S A GREAT PLACE FOR SOCIETY TO MINGLE.

THERE ARE GREAT PLAYGROUNDS AND CHURCHES FOR THE SOLE IN THE SENSE THAT YOU GET TO ENGAGE NATURE.

YOU GET TO COME HERE.

YOU GET TO CONTEMPLATE.

>> IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY, A MOVEMENT WAS SWEEPING AMERICA INTENT UPON PRESERVING OPEN SPACES FOR THE MASSES.

AND NO ONE COMMUNICATED THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE SPACES BETTER THAN AN AMERICAN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT FROM BOSTON.

KNOWN FOR PIONEERING PRINCIPLES OF REGIONAL PLANNING AND LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR CONSERVANCIES ACROSS THE WORLD TO CHARLES ELLIOTT.

>> THE LIFE HISTORY OF HUMANITY HAS PROVED NOTHING MORE CLEARLY THAN THAT CROWDED POPULATIONS IF THEY WOULD LIVE IN HEALTH AND HAPPINESS MUST HAVE SPACE FOR AIR, FOR LIGHT, FOR EXERCISE, FOR REST AND FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THAT PEACEFUL BEAUTY OF NATURE WHICH BECAUSE IT IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE NOISY UGLINESS OF TOWNS IS SO WONDERFULLY REFRESHING TO THE TIRED SOULS OF TOWNSPEOPLE.

CHARLES ELLIOTT.

>> THE IDEA WAS TO SET UP A RING OF PARKS AROUND PROVIDENCE AND CONNECT THEM WITH HIGHWAYS, WITH PARKWAYS.

ORIGINALLY MOST OF THE FOCUS WAS IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE STATE AND THAT'S WHERE THE POPULATION WAS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE EARLY MAPS OF THE PARK SYSTEM IT'S ALMOST LIKE LOOKING AT A TARGET WITH PROVIDENCE IN THE CENTER.

THEY HAD SPOKE'S COMING OUT OF PROVIDENCE.

NARRAGANSETT PARKWAY AND ARRINGTON PARKWAY AND SO FORTH.

THOSE WERE TO GET PEOPLE OUT INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE AND THE RING STARTS OVER THE 10 MILE RIVER IN EAST PROVIDENCE AND SWINGS THROUGH HERE AND THEN OVER TO PROVIDENCE AND DOWN TO THE PATUXENT.

75% OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN RHODE ISLAND LIVED IN THAT CIRCLE.

>> AT THE DAWN OF THE 20TH CENTURY IN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT WAKE OF THE CIVIL WAR AND ON AN AUSPICIOUS ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF THIS GREAT NATION'S 16TH PRESIDENT, THE RHODE ISLAND STATE WORK SERVICE BEGAN WITH THE PURCHASE OF LAND THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME LINCOLN WOODS STATE PARK.

AT A MEETING OF THE METROPOLITAN PARK COMMISSION HELD IN 1909 AT PARKSIDE HOUSE ON GREAT ROAD IN LINCOLN, THE COMMISSION VOTED TO PURCHASE LAND THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY BECOME LINCOLN WOODS STATE PARK.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSION AT THE TIME WAS AN EASTSIDE PHYSICIAN WHO SERVED AS A SURGEON DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

>> TO THE HONORABLE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS COMMISSION IS ABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO REPORT SOME ACQUIREMENT OF LAND.

IN THE GREAT METROPOLITAN DISTRICT WHICH 12 MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF ALL THE STATES INHABITANTS.

THE CONDITIONS OF MODERN URBAN GROWTH DEVELOPING IN A RATHER HAPHAZARD AND UNDIRECTED WAY GAVE DISMAL PROPHECY THAT WITHIN A SHORT TIME CONDITIONS WOULD CRYSTALLIZE THAT WOULD BE INTOLERABLE AND WOULD CERTAINLY THREATEN IF NOT SERIOUSLY DESTROY THE COMFORT AND PROSPERITY OF THE MAJORITY OF OUR PEOPLE.

COMMON PRUDENCE DEMANDED THAT IMMEDIATE STEPS BE TAKEN TO ACQUIRE AND MAKE AVAILABLE THE NATIONAL -- NATURAL RECREATION PLACES THAT ALL FORMER GENERATIONS HAD FREELY ENJOYED BY UNRESTRICTED PRIVILEGE OF ACCESS.

>> HE WAS AN INTERESTING CHARACTER.

HE CAME FROM A VERY PROGRESSIVE EASTSIDE FAMILY.

HIS SISTER WAS A.

HER.

HE HAD ANOTHER SISTER THAT WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE PROVIDENCE ART CLUB WHICH WAS THE FIRST ART CLUB IN AMERICA TO ADMIT BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.

THAT WAS IN 1880 WHICH WAS A EXTREMELY UNIQUE IDEA.

AND I THINK HIS PROGRESSIVENESS REALLY TRANSFERRED OVER TO HIS VIEW ABOUT THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO HAVE ACCESS TO SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN RHODE ISLAND.

>> WHAT HAPPENED IN 1909 WAS THE METROPOLITAN PARK COMMISSION MET IN LINCOLN TO CONCLUDE THE TRANSFER OF THE LAND THAT BECAME LINCOLN WAS AND THEN TO SET THE AGENDA TO ACQUIRE OTHER PARKS THAT WERE GOING TO BE IN THIS RING TO GO AROUND THE CITY.

LINCOLN WOODS WAS PART OF A VISION CREATED BY A GROUP CALLED THE PUBLIC PARK ASSOCIATION WHICH HAD ITS ORIGINS BACK IN THE 1880'S AND THE IDEA AT THE TIME ALONG WITH A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER PROGRESSIVE REFORMS WAS THAT URBAN INDUSTRY HAD CREATED SMOG FILLED URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS AND NETWORKS AND SO FORTH THAT NEEDED TO BE RELIEVED BY THE PRESENCE OF PARKS.

IN THE MILLS IN THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY IN PARTICULAR.

THE ONES WE SEE HERE AT KELLY HOUSE AND THE BIKEWAY AND SO FORTH.

THE BELLS IN THE TOWER OF THE MILLS BRING ABOUT 5:00 IN THE MORNING.

BY 5:30 EVERYONE HAD TO BE AT THEIR WORKSTATION IN THE MILLS AND THE WORKSTATION WERE LOOMS OR SPINNING MACHINES AND SO FORTH.

THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK AROUND IT :00 IN THE MORNING OR THEY COULD HAVE SOME KIND OF SNACK OR BREAKFAST BUT THE MAIN MEAL OF THE DAY DELIVERED BY THE CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY BY CARRYING DINNER PAILS TO THE MILLS AND FOR HALF AN HOUR OR SO THE FAMILY WOULD EAT THAT MEAL WHICH BECAME THE CENTRAL MEAL OF THE DAY BECAUSE THEY THEN WENT BACK ON THE JOB AND WORKED AT THEIR MACHINES UNTIL 7:00, IT :00 AT NIGHT AND THAT WAS SIX DAYS A WEEK.

MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY.

THE ONLY DAYS OFF THEY HAD WERE SUNDAYS.

WHEN THE PARKS CAME ALONG A LOT OF THE PARK PROGRAMS BEGIN AS SUNDAY PROGRAMS BECAUSE THAT WAS A TIME WHEN PEOPLE COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THEM.

THE BIG POLITICAL ISSUE AT THE TIME WAS THE SO-CALLED TEN-HOUR DAY.

PEOPLE WERE LOBBYING SO THAT THEY COULD ONLY WORK 10 HOURS BECAUSE LOTS OF TIMES PEOPLE HAD TO GET UP AT 5:00 IN THE MORNING AND THEY WOULDN'T GET HOME FROM WORKING IN THE MILLS UNTIL PERHAPS 7:00 OR 8:00 AT NIGHT.

THERE ARE ONLY TWO OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS IN THE MILL VILLAGES.

FOURTH OF JULY AND CHRISTMAS.

THERE WAS NO TIME OFF REALLY.

BY THE END OF THE 1800S RHODE ISLAND WAS THE MOST HEAVILY INDUSTRIALIZED STATE IN AMERICA AND MOST OF THAT INDUSTRY WAS WITHIN ABOUT 15 MILES OF THE CITY OF PROVIDENCE SO THAT WHEN THE PARKS SYSTEM WAS LAID OUT IT WAS LAID OUT A SICKLY AS A RING OF PARKS AROUND THE OUTSKIRTS OF PROVIDENCE THAT WOULD BE CONNECTED BY HIGHWAYS THAT WOULD GO OUT FROM THE CENTER.

THAT WAS DONE BECAUSE ABOUT 75% OF ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN RHODE ISLAND AT THE TIME LIVED WITHIN THAT CIRCLE.

FOR PEOPLE IN THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY WHO LIVED IN CENTRAL FALLS AND TAUGHT BUCKET, MANY OF THEM WALKED OUT TO LINCOLN WOULD.

AND THEY CAME TO SPEND THE DAY.

MOSTLY IT WAS FAMILY PICNICS.

THIS WAS NOT A TIME WHEN THERE WERE ANY OUTDOOR HOME BARBECUES.

THE PARKS PROVIDED BOTH SWIMMING AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME FOR MOST PEOPLE IN THE CITIES.

>> ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS -- THE 71 ACRES OF THE LINCOLN WOULD STATE PARK AREA WAS PURCHASED FOR $3000 FROM THE FAMILY OF STEPHEN HOPKINS SMITH, THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF PARKSIDE HOUSE.

SMITH BUILT THIS HOUSE IN 1810 IN HOPES OF WINNING THE HEART OF A YOUNG SOCIALITE FROM PROVIDENCE WHO HAD INFORMED HIM THAT SHE MUST LIVE IN ONE OF THE GRANDEST HOMES IN THE STATE.

WHEN THE MANSION WAS COMPLETED SMITH TOOK HIS LOVE IT FOR A BUGGY RIDE IN LINCOLN.

UPON APPROACHING HEARTH SIDE THE YOUNG LADY EXCLAIMED, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE.

BUT WHO WOULD EVER WANT TO LIVE WAY OUT HERE IN THE WILDERNESS?

A HEARTBROKEN SMITH BROUGHT HER BACK TO PROVIDENCE.

HE NEVER MARRIED AND HE NEVER LIVED IN THE HOUSE.

SMITH DIED IN 1857 AT THE AGE OF 74.

HIS 1858 OBITUARY READS, >> MEN OF LARGER MENTAL DEVELOPMENT.

MORE FAVOR OF FORTUNES IN STEPHEN HOPKINS SMITH HAVE GONE DOWN TO THE DAY THAT THERE ARE -- GRAVE YET THERE ARE FEW WHO COULD COMPARE WITH HIM IN WARMTH AND AFFECTION.

NINE AT TWO OF DISPOSITION OR GENUINE GOODNESS OF HEART.

>> TODAY, LINCOLN WOODS HAS GROWN TO 627 ACRES WITH BRIDAL AND HIKING TRAILS THROUGHOUT ALONG WITH THE POND WHICH STILL CATERS TO SWIMMING AND FISHING.

>> HE PROBABLY CAUGHT HER FIRST FISH AROUND TWO.

IT HAS BEEN A FAMILY TRADITION GOING OUT OPENING DAY.

EVERY YEAR.

IT'S A CIRCUS.

RAIN.

SOME COLD WEATHER.

WE'VE HAD SOME BEAUTIFUL WEATHER.

>> EVERY OPENING DAY, HERE I AM WITH MY DADDY.

>> IT'S REALLY INCREDIBLE TO SPEND TIME WITH KIDS OUT IN NATURE AND SOMETIMES YOU SEE EXPERIENCES LIKE WATCHING FOR THE FIRST TIME SOMEBODY SEE THE WINGS OF A DRAGONFLY OR REALIZE THERE PICKING UP ACORNS THAT THEY LEAD TO AN OAKTREE AND IT'S A MOMENT OF DISCOVERY.

IT'S REALLY FUN.

IT'S VERY SPECIAL.

I THINK ANYONE WHO HAS DEALT WITH CHILDREN IN NATURE SEES THAT KIND OF JULY.

I'VE SEEN A LOT OF TIMES.

NOT JUST LITTLE KIDS.

BLASE TEENAGERS WHO REALLY LIGHT UP WHEN THEY ARE OUT IN NATURE.

>> I THINK IT'S GOOD THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY BECAUSE THEY ARE FREE WHICH I LIKE.

THEY ARE CLEAN AND THEY ARE CLOSE TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND STUFF LIKE THAT WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME AND TAKE THE BUS.

I LIKE TAKING MY SON RECENTLY TO THIS PARK BECAUSE IT IS VERY CLEAN.

HE ONLY WATCHES TV AT NIGHT.

THE SIDES HE WANTS TO BE OUTSIDE .

>> I REALLY ENJOY TAKING MY SON TO THE PARK BECAUSE I REMEMBER BEING HIS AGE AND LEARNING TO SWIM.

WE WALK AROUND.

HE LOVES PLAYING ON THE GRASS.

SOMETIMES WE WILL JUST BRING A BLANKET AND PICNIC HERE.

EVEN WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER I WOULD SET UP HIS CRIB AND HE WOULD NAP HERE AT THIS PARK.

>> I CAN RECALL BEING A CHILD IN PROVIDENCE GROWING UP IN THE SMITH HILL NEIGHBORHOOD AND AT THAT TIME MY GRANDFATHER WHO WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO OWN AN OLD FORD SEDAN WHO WOULD TAKE ME IN THE SUMMERTIME TO LINCOLN WOODS STATE HARD AND JUST TO HAVE -- STATE PARKS AND JUST TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE WATER RECREATION, SWIMMING, FISHING.

I THOUGHT IT WAS THE GREATEST THING.

IT WAS GREAT TO GET OUT OF THE CITY.

I WAS JUST IN OUGHT TO HAVE A FACILITY LIKE THAT 10 MINUTES FROM WHERE I LIVED AND SO CONVENIENT TO US.

THE BEST PART ABOUT THOSE DAYS WHEN I WAS A CHILD WAS THAT IT WAS ONE OF THOSE OCCASIONS WHERE HE WOULD WALK UP AND SAY WHAT WOULD YOU DO -- WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

AND I WOULD SAY NOTHING AND HE WOULD SAY, WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO TAKE YOU?

JUST THE ANTICIPATION OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO THERE KNOWING WHAT I'VE EXPERIENCED IN STATE PARKS WAS A LASTING IMPRESSION.

>> IN 1927, 490 ACRE PARCEL OF LAND ALONG GREENWICH BAY WAS DONATED TO THE METROPOLITAN PARK SYSTEM.

THIS LAND HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE PROMINENT GREEN AND BROWN FAMILIES AND EVENTUALLY TO COLONEL ROBERT HILL LIVES GODDARD.

AS A YOUNG MAN IN 1858, THE FUTURE, GRADUATED FROM BROWN UNIVERSITY.

WHEN THE CIVIL WAR BROKE OUT HE ENLISTED AS A PRIVATE SOLDIER AND THOUGHT IN NUMEROUS BATTLES INCLUDING BULL RUN, FREDERICKSBURG, THE SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE AND WAS PRESENT AT GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE'S SURRENDER.

AFTER THE WAR HE HAD A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN BUSINESS AND MANUFACTURING UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1923.

THREE YEARS LATER THE SON AND DAUGHTER OF COLONEL GODDARD DONATED HIS ESTATE FOR USE AS A STATE PARK IN MEMORY OF THEIR FATHER.

THE PARK FORMALLY OPENED IN 1930.

THE GIFT INCLUDED A 33 ROOM VICTORIAN STYLE MANSION KNOWN AS THE OAKS.

THE CARRIAGE HOUSE.

A LARGE AREN'T AND SEVERAL SMALLER BUILDINGS.

THE OAKS BURNED TO THE GROUND IN APRIL 1975.

SHORTLY AFTER OPENING AND UNTIL THE EARLY 1970'S, DAUGHTER PARK WAS HOME TO A CAROUSEL THAT HAD ONCE IN A PART OF THE ROCKY POINT AMUSEMENT PARK.

>> THE IDEA OF LAND FOR PEACE WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS SWEEPING AMERICA AT THIS TIME AND THESE PROMINENT AMERICAN FAMILIES STARTED INKING ABOUT THE IDEA OF GIVING BACK TO THE GENERAL POPULATION AND I THINK IN SOME WAYS IT WAS REALLY ABOUT PRESERVING THEIR LEGACY.

>> THE GIFT OF GODDARD STATE PARK PROVIDED A NUMBER OF FEATURES FOR THE METROPOLITAN PARK SYSTEM.

WHILE BOTH LINCOLN WOODS AND GODDARD OFFER HORSEBACK RIDING, GODDARD OFFERED SALTWATER SWIMMING AND AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SAILING.

FOR SHADOWING THE ACQUISITION OF SANDHILL CODES AND -- COVE AND SCARGILL BEACH.

>> HAVE A DESTINATION ON A SUNDAY TO COME OUT AND SPEND TIME WITH THE FAMILY ALONGSIDE OF A STREAM OR POND.

TO BE ABLE TO PLAY BASEBALL WHICH WAS PRETTY POPULAR AT THAT TIME WAS ALL THAT DRAWS TO THE PARKS AND THERE WASN'T THAT MUCH COMPETITION.

THERE WAS NO RADIO OR TELEVISION.

EVEN PUBLIC SPECTATOR SPORTS WERE NOT AS BIG.

THE PARKS BECAME A REALLY IMPORTANT MAGNET.

>> GOTTHARD STATE PARK HAS A GOLF COURSE, LARGE FIELDS, FAMILY REUNION AREAS, A PERFORMING ARTS BUILDING.

PEOPLE HAVE WEDDINGS.

FAMILY REALLY ENDS.

BAR MITZVAHS.

ALL KINDS OF EVENTS AT GODDARD STATE PARK TO >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GAVE THE PARKS A TREMENDOUS BOOST WAS THAT THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM LEADING UP TO ABOUT 1893 WAS LARGELY HORSE-DRAWN TROLLEYS.

IN 1890 THREE THE HORSE-DRAWN TROLLEYS WERE REPLACED BY ELECTRIC TROLLEYS AND WITH THE REPLACEMENT AND THE COMING OF THE ELECTRIC TROLLEYS THE NUMBER OF MILES OF TRACKING EXPANDED TREMENDOUSLY.

ANY PEOPLE ARRIVED AT THESE PARTS BY TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT.

NAMELY THE TROLLEYS.

>> IN 1905, A 53-YEAR-OLD PROMINENT BRISTOL RESIDENT AGAIN TO ACQUIRE PARCELS OF OLD FARMLAND.

SAMUEL COLT WAS A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN, STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND RHODE ISLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL.

HE WAS ALSO THE NEPHEW OF THE FAMED GUN MAKER WHOSE COLT REVOLVER WAS KNOWN AS THE GUN THE.

YEARS AFTER ASSEMBLING HIS LARGE TRACT OF LAND, HE APPROACHED THE TOWN COUNCIL ARE STILL ABOUT GRANTING PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE AREA.

>> TO THE ELECTORS OF THE TOWN OF BRISTOL.

HAVING BUILT A MACADAM ROAD ON MY FARM, SAID ROAD RUNNING ALONG THE SHORE OF NARRAGANSETT DAY, I AM WILLING THAT THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE THE USE OF IT FOR A PERIOD OF AT LEAST FIVE YEARS.

I DO NOT MEAN TO SAY THAT I WILL NOT ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO USE IT AFTER THAT TIME BUT I DO NOT WISH TO BE UNDER THE OBLIGATION OF KEEPING IT OPEN FOREVER.

SAMUEL COLT.

>> IN RETURN FOR GRANTING PUBLIC ACCESS, COLD ONE OF THE TOWN TO COVER THE COST OF IMPROVING THE MAIN ROAD LEADING INTO HIS FARM.

THE TOWN AGREED AND APPROPRIATED THE SUM OF $5,000 FOR THE PROJECT.

BY 1913, THE ESTATE WAS LARGELY COMPLETED AND INCLUDED A LARGE SHINGLED CASINO SERVED AS A SUMMER RESIDENCE AND A PLACE TO ACCOMMODATE LARGE PARTIES.

THE GROUNDS WHICH COLT MAINTAINED FOR THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS HIS PERSONAL USE FEATURED AN EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF OUT YOUR SCULPTURE INCLUDING MARBLE ENTRANCE GATES UPON WHICH WERE LARGE BRONZE BOWLS MODELED AFTER CATTLE THAT COLD RAISED ON THE LAND.

UPON HIS DEATH IS WELL SPECIFIED THAT THE PARK BE PLACED IN TRUST AND CONTINUE TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

HIS ERRORS MADE SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO SELL THE PROPERTY FOR DEVELOPMENT.

IN 1935 THE PARK COMMISSION PROPOSED THAT THE STATE ACQUIRE THE PARK.

IT WOULD TAKE ANOTHER 30 YEARS UNTIL THAT WAS FINALLY ACCOMPLISHED IN 1965.

THESE PROMINENT RHODE ISLAND FAMILIES HAD SPENT GENERATIONS ACCUMULATING GREAT WEALTH AND THESE BEAUTIFUL PRISTINE TRACTS OF LAND MANY OF WHICH FRONTED THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.

AT SOME POINT THEY STARTED INKING ABOUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO GIVE BACK TO THE GENERAL POPULATION MUCH OF WHICH THEIR WEALTH WAS BUILT UPON.

>> AS I SIT HERE TODAY I SEE OPEN SPACE.

I SEE ENJOYING THEMSELVES.

OPEN GAME FIELDS.

PEOPLE RELAXING.

PEOPLE SITTING AND READING THE PAPER.

THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAN DO IN OUR STATE PARKS.

>> IF YOU LIKE A PRISTINE BEACH OR A SECLUDED WOODLAND THIS IS JUST AN ABSOLUTE MARVEL OF NATURE.

PEOPLE GET TO COME HERE AND RELIEVE THEMSELVES OF THE STRESS OF EVERYDAY LIFE AND URBAN PRESSURES.

THEY TRULY ARE A RELIEF VALVE.

>> IS RHODE ISLAND'S PLAYGROUND.

KIDS LOVE TO PLAY OUTDOORS.

TO BE ABLE TO ENJOY OPEN SPACE AND PLAY BASEBALL, SOCCER.

DO SOME HIKING WITH YOUR MOM AND DAD.

CREATE FAMILY MEMORIES.

IT'S A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY WITHIN AN HOUR'S DRIVING DISTANCE ANYWHERE IN RHODE ISLAND IS PHENOMENAL.

>> I RIDE MY BIKE DOWN AND STAND AT THE STATUE OF JOHN CHAFEE.

WHAT I THINK I LOVE THE MOST ABOUT IT IS JUST THE DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE THAT ENJOY THE PLACE.

IT'S A PLACE WHERE YOU SEE EVERY KIND OF ETHNIC GROUP, FAMILY, ACTIVITY.

NOT ONLY IS IT USEFUL BUT IT FEELS LIKE A PLACE WHERE RHODE ISLANDERS CONNECT WITH NATURE AND HAVE A GREAT TIME AND RELAX.

>> JUST A SHORT SALE ASKED CASTLE HILL WHERE THE EAST PASSAGE OF NARRAGANSETT AND MEETS THE ENTRANCE TO NEWPORT HARBOR LIES A PENINSULAR OF LAND THAT FOR MOST OF ITS HISTORY HAS BEEN A MILITARY ASKED THAT.

IT'S HISTORY BEGINS IN THE COLONIAL ERA WHEN IT SERVED AS AN OBSERVATION POST.

FORT ADAMS WHICH TAKES ITS NAME FROM PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS WAS AN ACTIVE POST DURING THE CIVIL WAR, SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR, WORLD WAR I AND AS RECENT AS WORLD WAR II WHEN IT WAS ONE OF SEVERAL DEFENSIVE FORTIFICATIONS ALONG THE SOUTH COAST OF THE OCEAN STATE.

IT REMAINED AN ASSET FOR THE ARMY UNTIL THE MID-1950'S WHEN THE NAVY TOOK IT OVER AND STARTED USING IT AS HOUSING FOR THEIR GROWING PRESENCE IN NEWPORT.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE PRESENT-DAY STRUCTURE BEGAN IN 1824 AND WAS TO BECOME THE LARGEST COASTAL DEFENSE WORKS OF ITS KIND IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE CHIEF ENGINEER ON THE PROJECT'S GENERAL JOSEPH GILBERT TOTTEN, A CONNECTICUT NEIGHBOR -- NATIVE WHO LATER BECAME THE FIRST HEAD OF THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.

>> FORTIFICATIONS MUST CLOSE ALL IMPORTANT HARBORS AGAINST AN ENEMY.

MUST DEPRIVE AN ENEMY OF ALL STRONG POSITIONS WHERE PROTECTED BY DAVE WILL SUPERIORITY HE MIGHT FIX PERMANENT QUARTERS IN OUR HISTORY.

MAINTAIN HIMSELF DURING THE WAR AND KEEP THE WHOLE FRONTIER IN PERPETUAL ALARM.

JOSEPH TOTTEN.

>> IT TOOK 33 YEARS AND OVER $3 MILLION TO COMPLETE.

IT WAS DESIGNED TO MOUNT 460 GUNS AND DURING A TIME OF WAR COULD HOUSE 2400 MEN.

TODAY FOR ADAMS IS BEST KNOWN FOR THE SOUNDS OF MILITARY EXERCISES BUT AS A HOME TO SAILING AND MUSIC.

SINCE ITS ACQUISITION BY THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND IN 1965 IT HAS MADE NATIONAL HISTORY AS A BASE FOR THE NEW WORD JAZZ AND FOLK FESTIVALS.

>> THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SITES IN THE WORLD AND IT'S THE KIND OF PLACE THAT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUT ON FESTIVALS BECAUSE THE STATE OWNS THE SPARK AND WHEN IT IS USED BY AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS FOR THE JAZZ FESTIVAL AND THE FOLK FESTIVAL IT'S LIKE A DREAMLAND.

WHEN YOU ARE SITTING HERE AND YOU LOOK OUT AT THE BANK AND THOSE SAILBOATS GOING BY AND YOU ARE SITTING HERE, MAYBE IT'S NOT HEAVEN BUT IT'S ONE STEP BELOW.

BACK IN 63 WHEN BOB DYLAN WAS THE CROWN PRINCE OF OUR FOLK FESTIVAL AND JONI BIO WAS THE CROWN PRINCESS AND PIZZA EITHER WAS THE GRAND MASTER WE HAD A MARVELOUS GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE THAT CAME.

THEY WERE COLLEGE KIDS AND PEOPLE JUST OUT OF COLLEGE AND IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL FESTIVAL.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK IS -- LAST YEAR PARTICULARLY WHEN I HAD TO CONSIDER HERE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM THE OLD FESTIVAL THAT WERE STILL AROUND CAME AND BROUGHT CHILDREN.

THEY BROUGHT THEIR GRANDCHILDREN.

THEIR CHILDREN BROUGHT THEIR CHILDREN.

LAST WEEK IT WAS LIKE A CHANGING OF THE GUARD.

WE DIDN'T HAVE.

SEEGER.

WE DIDN'T HAVE BOB DYLAN.

BUT WE HAD YOUNG SINGERS LIKE JIM JAMES AND ANDREW HEARD IN THE AUDIENCE WAS BETWEEN 18 AND 30.

I SAID I'M TRANSPORTED BACK IN TIME.

I THOUGHT IT WAS ABSOLUTELY MARVELOUS.

YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE HERE TODAY FOR THE JAZZ FESTIVAL.

PEOPLE IN RHODE ISLAND DON'T KNOW HOW LUCKY THEY ARE TO HAVE SO MANY PARKS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM AND THEY ARE OPEN TO THEM.

THEY ARE NOT CLOSED.

THIS PART HERE FOR INSTANCE IS NOT JUST FOR THE JAZZ AND FOLK FESTIVAL.

IT'S FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO SELL AND DO BOATING.

AND JUST TO GO BY THE ENTRANCE AND SEE ALL THOSE GOATS AND LLAMAS AND EVERYTHING IT'S A CYCLE BY ITSELF.

AND I THINK THE PEOPLE IN RHODE ISLAND VERY LUCKY.

PARTICULARLY IN NEWPORT HERE.

>> ROGER WHEELER STATE BEACH, FORMERLY SANDHILL COVE IN NARRAGANSETT WAS RHODE ISLAND'S FIRST STATE BEACH AND WAS CREATED WHEN 27 ACRES OF STATE PROPERTY WAS TRANSFERRED BY THE RHODE ISLAND SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE METROPOLITAN PARK COMMISSION IN 1929.

ITS PROPOSED USE AS A PUBLIC RESORT FOR RECREATION FIT WELL WITH THE EXPANSION IDEAS OF THE PARK COMMISSION IN THE LATE 1920'S.

EXPANDING THE ORIGINAL PARK SYSTEM TO INCLUDE SOUTH COUNTY BEACHES LOGICALLY FOLLOWED THE CONNECTION TO MORE REMOTE AREAS BY NEW STATE HIGHWAYS IN THE INCREASED USE OF AUTOMOBILES.

A 1914 PROVIDENCE JOURNAL ARTICLE COMPLAINED -- PROCLAIMED THAT SANDHILL COVE WAS THE ONLY AREA THAT LAND IS FREE FOR THE TAKING IN RHODE ISLAND.

AT THAT TIME THERE WERE NINE SQUATTERS COTTAGES LOCATED THERE.

BY 1929 THE NUMBER GREW TO 200 COTTAGES AND SANDHILL COVE CAN TO BE KNOWN AS PIRATES PARADISE TO SOME AND SQUATTERS BUILT TO OTHERS.

EVEN THOUGH THE PARK EXPANSION OCCURRED IN THE 1920'S, IT TOOK THE STATE UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF WORLD WAR II TO CLEAR AWAY THE LAST SQUATTERS WHO HAD ERECTED ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AT CENTRAL COAST.

IT WASN'T UNTIL 1955 BUT THE FIRST MODERN BATHHOUSE AND PARKING FACILITIES WERE PUT ON THE SITE.

ON AUGUST 15, 1970 SANDHILL COVE OFFICIALLY CHANGED ITS NAME TO ROGER WHEELER STATE BEACH NAMED AFTER THE CREATOR OF THE RHODE ISLAND STATE LIFE-SAVING SYSTEM THAT PROMOTED SAFE SWIMMING PRACTICES AND TRAINED LIFEGUARDS AND ADVANCED LIFESAVING TECHNIQUES.

BETWEEN 1996 AND 1997, A REDESIGN AND RENOVATION OF THE BEACH FACILITIES AT ROGER WHEELER PRODUCED A NEW PAVILION, CORN OPERATED HOT SHOWERS, A PLAYGROUND, CONCESSION BUILDING, A LIFEGUARD TOWER AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AREA.

>> I THINK THE GREATEST GIFT WE CAN GIVE OUR CHILDREN IS REALLY ABOUT NOT MONETARY THINGS BUT FAMILY TIME.

A GREAT WAY TO SPEND FAMILY TIME IS ENJOYING OUR BEAUTIFUL SHORELINE.

ENJOYING THE WATER.

ENJOYING SIMPLE WALKS, TALKING.

EVEN IF THEY ARE RUNNING IN FRONT OF YOU COLLECTING SHELLS IT IS ABOUT QUALITY TIME AND MAKING TRADITION.

>> MY FONDEST MEMORIES COMING HERE WITH MY SONS, WHY WIFE AND MY NIECES AND BROTHER-IN-LAW AND SISTER IN LAW AND JUST HAVING A GREAT TIME SITTING AT THE PICNIC BENCHES -- EATING LUNCH AND JUST HAVING A GREAT TIME.

WE USED TO COME DOWN HERE SUNDAYS.

MY MOM WOULD MAKE A NICE BIG BOWL OF PASTA.

COME DOWN HERE AND FIND A TABLE.

WE WOULD SPEND THE WHOLE ENTIRE DAY HERE.

MY SISTER AND I WOULD GO IN THE WATER AND ENJOY OURSELVES.

>> TRADITIONS FOR US NOW.

WE ARE GOING ON FIVE YEARS.

SPEND TWO WEEKS DOWN THE BEACH EVERY YEAR.

THEY COME DOWN WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND ALL THE CHILDREN GET TOGETHER.

IT'S JUST LIKE ONE BIG PARTY.

>> THE EXPERIENCES WE HAVE AT THE BEACH AS A FAMILY UNPLUGGED FROM THE WORLD.

IT REALLY HELPS US GET BACK TO THE CORE OF WHAT AMERICANA IS FOR ME.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE INTERNET.

COMING HERE REALLY GETS BACK TO OUR ROOTS.

VISITING THE BEACHES FROM MAINE ALL THE WAY DOWN TO RHODE ISLAND.

I THINK ABOUT MY PARENTS AND WHAT WE DID AND HOW WE CAME TO THE BEACH EVERY SUMMER AND SPENT SOME OF THE BEST TIMES WE HAD DURING THOSE YEARS TOGETHER AS A FAMILY ON THE BEACH SO I WANTED TO SHARE THE SAME THING WITH MY FAMILY.

>> I HOPE SOMEDAY MY CHILDREN WILL HAVE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES.

I THINK EVERYBODY SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SHORELINE.

>> IT ONE OF OUR BEACHES HAS THEIR OWN PERSONALITY WHICH IS BEAUTIFUL.

SCARBOROUGH IS A VERY BUSY BEACH.

IT'S A LOT OF FAMILIES HAVING COOKOUTS ON THE LAWN.

THEN YOU SEE ALL FAMILIES.

IT'S NICE.

THEY HAVE THE PLAYGROUND THERE.

90% OF THE PEOPLE THERE ARE FAMILIES.

YOU CAN GO TO SALTY BRINE STATE REACH.

THE NEWLY RENOVATED BEACH.

SMALL, BEAUTIFUL AND VERY PERSONAL BEACH TO A LOT OF BEACHGOERS THERE.

EAST BEACH THEY ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONALITY.

CHARLESTON BEACH WITH CAMPING.

EAST BEACH WHICH IS A VERY SECLUDED BEACH AREA.

IT'S IN THIS AREA WHERE THERE'S ALL BUSINESSES AND DIFFERENT VACATIONERS AND IT'S A VERY BIG BEACH AND IT'S POPULATED A LOT BY CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS.

AND IT'S ALSO A NEWLY RENOVATED BEACH SO IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE BEACHES, THERE ARE CAMPGROUNDS, BIKE PATHS, NATURE PRESERVES AND MANAGEMENT AREAS LIKE THE 14,000 ACRE ARCADIA MANAGEMENT AREA SO LARGE THAT IT INCLUDES LAND IN RICHMOND, EXETER, HOPKINTON AND WEST GREENWICH.

>> I'VE BEEN COMING TO FISHMAN'S FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

IT'S A PLACE TO COME AND RELIEVE ALL OF YOUR STRESS FROM HOME.

EVERY DAY HUSTLE AND BUSTLE.

YOU CAN JUST COME HERE AND LET EVERYTHING GO.

>> THIS PARK IN PARTICULAR ONE HOUR HARD OVER.

THE ADRENALINE WAS FLOWING WHEN WE SAW THE BEAUTY AND THE CARE THAT IS GIVEN TO THIS PARK.

NOT TO MENTION THE VIEW.

IT JUST INSTANTLY DROVE US TO TWICE A YEAR VACATION SPOT.

>> YOU MEET ALL YOUR FRIENDS DOWN HERE.

EVERYBODY JUST HANGS OUT AND HAS FUN.

>> WHEN MY KIDS COME HERE THEY ARE OUTSIDE.

THEY ARE RIDING THEIR BIKES, MEANING THEIR FRIENDS, HAVING CAMPFIRES.

THEY ARE NOT SITTING INSIDE TEXT MESSAGING AND JUMPING ON A COMPUTER BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE INTERNET SERVICE HERE.

IT'S A GOOD CHANGE FOR THEM AND I THINK KIDS TODAY NEED TO RELAX.

>> WE HAD A GREAT CHILDHOOD EAR.

MY KIDS HAVE HAD A GREAT CHILDHOOD HERE AND I HOPE THEIR KIDS DO.

>> WE EXERCISE EVERY DAY HERE.

IT JUST PROMOTES GOOD HEALTH.

>> OUR STATE PARKS AND BEACHES ARE JUST A GEM THAT WE NEED TO TREASURE AND TAKE CARE OF.

OUR FAMILIES NEED TO HAVE THE OPEN SPACE AND APPRECIATE WHAT WE HAVE.

>> AS THE SIZE AND SCOPE OF RHODE ISLAND STATE PARKS HAS EVOLVED SO HAS THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE OPEN SPACES.

IN 1935 A DIVISION OF FOREST PARKS AND PARKWAYS WAS CREATED AND TOOK CONTROL FROM THE METROPOLITAN PARKS COMMISSION.

IN 1952 PARKS CAME UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.

IN THE 1960'S THE PARKS WERE AGAIN REORGANIZED INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

IN 1970 SEVEN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY CREATED THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT TO OVERSEE PROTECTION OF AIR AND WALLER -- WATER QUALITY AS WELL AS NATURAL RESOURCES.

DEM CONTINUES TO BE THE STEWARD OF RHODE ISLAND STATE PARKS.

>> 1969 THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND ACQUIRED DANE FARM.

SNAKE DEN STAKE PART WAS CREATED IN PART TO STEM THE TIDE OF DISAPPEARING FARMS AND PRESERVE OPEN SPACE.

THE LAND HAS CONTINUED TO SERVE DIFFERENT FARMING ACTIVITIES OVER THE YEARS INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS MAY NOT HAVE CONSIDERED.

>> WE STARTED IN THE FALL OF 2015.

WE STARTED WITH 250,000 TULIPS.

>> SNAKE DEN HAS BECOME A DESTINATION FOR UPWARDS OF 20,000 VISITORS IN A TWO-WEEK PERIOD.

WICKED TULIPS HAS OPEN THE DOOR TO NATURE TO A NEW DEMOGRAPHIC OF PEOPLE.

>> IT IS ONE OF OUR MAIN GOALS TO HAVE PEOPLE EXPERIENCED NATURE LIKE THIS.

WE JUST WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE EXPERIENCED THE BEAUTY OF NATURE.

IT CAN MAKE YOUR HEART SMILE LIKE THIS.

IT'S UNBELIEVABLE THAT EVERYBODY ARRIVES HERE LEAVES WITH A LOWER STRESS LEVEL AND EATING OUT IN NATURE LIKE THIS IS GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL.

IT'S GOOD FOR PEOPLE AND IF YOU ARRIVE HERE IT'S VERY HARD TO BE NOT HAPPY.

>> YOU FORGOT TO CREDIT THAT VISION THAT ANTICIPATED SETTING ASIDE HIS MARVELOUS PLACES FOR THE PUBLIC.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO HAVE ACCESS TO OUR FACILITIES.

AT SOME POINT THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STATE PROVIDED A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THEIR OWN PERSONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

LANDHOLDINGS.

ULTIMATELY THE PUBLIC'S ASKED -- ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC NATURAL RESOURCES WAS SOMETHING THAT VISION ESTABLISHED AND IT CONTINUES TODAY AND ADDING MORE FACILITIES, OPPORTUNITIES.

BIKEWAYS WEREN'T ANTICIPATED IN THOSE EARLY DAYS.

>> ON AN OVERCAST DAY IN LATE OCTOBER 2014 MORE THAN 100 YEARS AFTER THAT FIRST MEETING AT HER SIDE HOUSE, LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS GATHERED ALONG THE SHORELINE IN WARWICK TO OFFICIALLY OPEN -- THE DAY MARKED THE END OF A LONG AND SOMETIMES TURBULENT JOURNEY TO REOPEN THIS LAND TO THE PUBLIC.

FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS GENERATIONS OF RHODE ISLANDERS HAD MADE THIS PROPERTY A DESTINATION.

THEY CAME HERE TO ENJOY RIDES, ENTERTAINMENT AND DINNER BY THE WATER.

WHEN THE ROCKY POINT AMUSEMENT PARK CLOSED SO DID THE ACCESS TO THE SHORELINE.

>> YOU GET A CHANCE TO GO TO ROCKY POINT.

YOU CAN THINK OF IT AND I CALL IT OCCASIONALLY: PARK WEST.

IT'S JUST A SPECIAL OF SPACE AND WE WON'T FIND IN THE NEXT 100 YEARS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE WELL OVER 100 ACRES TOTAL TO MAKE IT SPECIAL PUBLIC SPACE TO SEE AND TO BE ON THE WATER.

AND ROCKY POINT ESPECIALLY IN THAT YOU ALSO HAVE THE MEMORIES OF THE CHOWDER HALL, THE CLAM CAKES.

I CAN REMEMBER THE YOUTH BEING THERE AND I STILL HEAR THE ROLLER COASTER AND THE SQUEALS AND THE SCREAMS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE THERE WITH THE SAME KIND OF MEMORIES.

WE HAVE THESE SPACES TODAY AND THEN SPACES LIKE ROCKY POINT.

>> A NEW GENERATION OF VISITORS IS DISCOVERING ROCKY POINT.

MAKING NEW MEMORIES.

ENJOYING THE WATER'S EDGE AND TAKING IN THE BEAUTIFUL VISTAS THAT NARRAGANSETT BAY HAS TO OFFER.

REMINDER OF THE PARKS HISTORIC PANS -- PAST STILL DOT THE LANDSCAPE LOCATIONS WERE DIFFERENT ATTRACTIONS ONCE STOOD.

>> ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS OPEN THE FAMILY ALBUMS OF ALMOST ANY RHODE ISLAND FAMILY THAT HAS BEEN HERE FOR THE LAST 20 OR 30 YEARS.

YOU WILL FIND THAT PAGE AFTER PAGE DEALS WITH REUNIONS AND PICK X AND BIRTHDAYS AND SO FORTH THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE PUBLIC PARKS LIKE LINCOLN WOODS OR GODDARD MEMORIAL OR COLD STATE PARK AND SOME OF THE HAPPIEST MEMBERS -- MEMORIES FAMILIES HAVE HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE PARK.

THAT KIND OF LOYALTY AND NOSTALGIC CONTINUES.

>> MY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE IS TO HAVE OUR STATE PARKS SUSTAINABLE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS IN RHODE ISLAND THAT HAVE NEVER ENJOYED ALL OF OUR STATE PARKS AND I HOPE IN FUTURE GENERATIONS CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY A PLACE LIKE THIS.

LINCOLN WOODS ESTATE PART.

GODDARD MEMORIAL STATE PARK.

WE HAVE SUCH GREAT AREAS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE PARTS SUSTAIN THEMSELVES FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> WITH THE MEN AND WOMEN OF RHODE ISLAND STATE PARK WHO TRULY HAVE A PASSION FOR WHAT THEY DO AND IT'S WONDERFUL TO WORK IN THAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE TRULY GET TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WE GET TO SEE THE VALUE OF OUR WORK.

>> THESE ARE PLACES WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF.

THESE ARE PLACES WE EXPECT OUR GRANDCHILDREN TO VISIT 100 YEARS FROM NOW.

TAKING CARE OF THEM NOW IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> RHODE ISLAND'S PARKS STEM FROM THE ENERGIES THAT CAME OUT OF THE 19TH CENTURY TO TRY TO RAISE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF WORKING PEOPLE.

BUT RHODE ISLANDERS HAVE TAKEN GREAT OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY'VE COME ALONG WHEN THE NAVY BEGAN TO GIVE UP VARIOUS SITES ALONG NARRAGANSETT BAY.

RHODE ISLAND WAS VERY SMART TO TAKE THOSE SITES.

SOME OF THEM HAVE NEVER BEEN DEVELOPED.

THERE ARE PARTS OF THE SO-CALLED THEY ISLAND SYSTEM THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DEVELOPED.

THEY ARE BEING HELD IN TRUST FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS AND IT'S UP TO US AS PART OF OUR GENERATION TO TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE TO APPRECIATE THAT LAND TO HOW TO USE IT AND ULTIMATELY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PRESERVING IT.

>> WHATEVER THE SEASON, A VISIT TO ONE OF OUR STATE MARKS CAN BE MAGICAL.

AN EXAMINATION OF THE VAST NATURE THAT SURROUNDS US.

OR A QUIET CONVERSATION WITH OUR INNER SELF.

PEACE AND SOLITUDE >> EVERYBODY NEEDS BEAUTY AS WELL AS BREAD.

PLACES TO PLAY IN AND PRAY IN.

WHERE NATURE MAY HEAL AND GIVE STRENGTH TO BODY AND SOUL.

JOHN MUIR.

>> IN THE MORE THAN 100 YEARS SINCE THE CREATION OF THE FIRST STATE PARK AT LINCOLN WAS ITS RHODE ISLAND STATE PARKS HAVE EVOLVED INTO A STATEWIDE NETWORK OF OPEN SPACES AND GREENWAYS SET ASIDE FOR THE PUBLIC ENJOYMENT OF THE OUTDOORS.

THEY WERE GIVEN TO US BY THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US.

SO THAT WE TOO MIGHT TREASURE AND ENJOY EACH ONE OF THEM WITH ALL THAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER.

IN RETURN, THE SACRED TRUST TO PRESERVE THESE LANDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS FALLS UPON US.

>> TRULY I THINK THE SPECTACULAR NATURE OF OUR FACILITIES THAT EACH ONE IS A PRISTINE ENVIRONMENT THAT PROVIDES PEOPLE WITH CONVENIENT OPPORTUNITY TO BASICALLY EXPERIENCE ANY KIND OF NATURE THEY WANT.

WE BASICALLY MOVE WITH THE TIMES TO PROVIDE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES NO ONE ANTICIPATED 100 YEARS AGO.

NO ONE HAD HEARD OF BOULDERING.

NO ONE HAD HEARD OF MOUNTAIN BIKING.

THESE ARE RECREATIONAL PURSUITS THAT WE EVOLVED TO SERVE AND I THINK THAT VISION CONTINUES IN THAT WAY THAT WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS ALIKE TO PROVIDE THOSE KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE KIND OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES THAT THEY ENJOY WHILE AT THE SAME TIME CONSERVING AND PRESERVING IN SOME CASES THOSE NATURAL RESOURCES THAT REALLY DEFINE THESE FACILITIES.

>> TODAY IT'S RATHER INTERESTING THAT IN SOME WAYS THE IDEA OF THE PARKS HAS COME FULL CIRCLE BECAUSE AS I QUAYS BECOME POPULAR RADIAL ARTERIES OUT OF THE CITY THEY ARE ALMOST PERFORMING THE SAME FUNCTION THAT THE PARK WASTED 100 YEARS AGO AND THE POPULARITY OF THE BIKE PATHS IS THE NORM IS HERE.

AT KELLY HOUSE WE TYPICALLY GET ABOUT 5000 VISITORS COMING TO SEE THE MUSEUM.

PROBABLY THAT REPRESENTS ONLY 4% FOR 5% OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PEOPLE USING THE BIKEWAYS AND THE PARK ITSELF.

>> STATE PARKS CAN CHANGE KIDS LIVES BY PROVIDING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND EXPLORE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN RHODE ISLAND AND BE ABLE TO PLAY OUTDOORS.

>> THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN CHARACTER.

THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN PERSONALITY THAT MAKES EACH ONE A DIFFERENT PLACE TO GO.

>> IT'S AMAZING WHEN YOU DO SEE A GROUP THAT COMES FROM THE INNER-CITY.

THEY SEE A WHOLE NEW ENLIGHTENMENT THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE AND IT'S NICE BECAUSE WE HAVE PROGRAMS WHERE WE TRY AND GET THE INNER-CITY KIDS OUT.

KIDS FROM THE URBAN AREAS WHERE THEY DON'T GET TO SEE THE STATE PARKS.

IT'S NICE BECAUSE IT ENERGIZES THEM TO WANT TO COME BACK AND SEE IT AGAIN.

>> PEOPLE WOULDN'T HAVE PLACES TO ENJOY.

THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO RELEASE THEIR ENERGY OR SPEND TIME WITH THEIR FAMILY.

IT IS SOMETHING THEY CAN RELEASE FROM EVERYDAY LIFE AND IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO KEEP THE FACILITIES THAT PEOPLE ENJOY.

THEY WILL COME HERE AND SAY THIS IS NICE AND I JUST NEED TO COME IN HERE AND SIT.

WE NEED THAT PASSION.

IT'S AN OBLIGATION OF US AS A DIVISION TO KEEP THAT GOING.

IT GIVES THEM THAT RELEASE FROM EVERYDAY LIFE.

>> I'M NOT SURE PEOPLE REALIZE THAT RHODE ISLAND DEM IS FILLED WITH THESE INCREDIBLY PASSIONATE STAFF PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT THERE ON NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS AND THE PARKS REALLY REFLECT THAT CARE AND ATTENTION OF FOLKS WHO HAVE DEVOTED THEIR CAEERS TO MAKING THEM BEAUTIFUL SAFE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY.

IF I COULD DO ONE THING IT WOULD BE REALLY SET UP PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE CONNECTED TO THE NATURAL RESOURCES ARE INVOLVED IN PROTECTING THEM FOR THE FUTURE.

>> MY HOPE FOR THE FUTURE IS THAT THE STEWARDSHIP OF THE VALLEY CONTINUES WITH FUTURE GENERATIONS.

MY HOPE IS THAT THEY SEE THE WISDOM OF THAT INITIAL PLAN AND SEE THE VALUE FIRSTHAND OF THAT PLAN AND THEY CONTINUE IN THAT MISSION SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL GET TO ENJOY AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AS URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT PRESSURES WENDELL SOME OF THE OTHER PRIVATELY HELD NATURAL RESOURCE AREAS THAT PEOPLE CONTEMPLATE THAT STAY STATE OWNED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS IS SOMETHING PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND VALUE.

♪ [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.

VISIT NCICAP.ORG] >> SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM PROVIDED BY THE RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION.

PARTNERING WITH PASSIONATE RHODE ISLANDERS TO LEAD, TRANSFORM AND INSPIRE OUR STATE.

LEARN MORE AT RHODE ISLAND FOUNDATION.ORG.

>> THE ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL OF RHODE ISLAND IS A COALITION OF NEARLY ENVIRONMENTAL -- EVERY ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP IN THE STATE TO LOBBY FOR RHODE ISLANDERS TO HAVE A CLEAN NATURAL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO WORK AND PLAY.