Part of Rocky Point Walking Path to Close During Demolition

Warwick, RI – Part of the Rocky Point Park walkway  near the Shore Dinner Hall will close for two to four weeks starting Monday as the state continues demolition of the hall and other buildings on the site.

Mayor Scott Avedisian’s office announced the closure Wednesday afternoon. The demolition work begun earlier this month by the RI Department of Environmental Management is the first stage in efforts to transform the property into a coastal state park.

Work includes site preparation for asbestos removal work and demolition of structures, including the Shore Dinner Hall and the Palladium/Windjammer. Asbestos removal and site restoration work will also take place at main buildings and in the midway area. That phase is expected to take 75 days to complete. Several remaining cottages will also be demolished.  The cost of this phase is $3.064 million.

“The demolition and site restoration work is an important step in the process of opening the entire park for public access,” said Avedisian in a statement Wednesday. “We appreciate residents’ cooperation and understanding while the portion of the path is closed so this phase can move forward as quickly as planned.”

In 2007, with the help of state and federal funding, the City secured ownership of 41 acres – a full mile of coastline – at Rocky Point. City workers transformed the property into a waterfront destination, including a public parking area, new landscaping, picnic area, improved beach access, and the path, which wends along the shore, offering views of the Bay.

In March 2013, DEM acquired the remaining 83 acres, which will be integrated with the city’s property. DEM and the City will work cooperatively with a variety of stakeholders and the public to restore the property. Potential improvements to the park include fishing access, access to the property by boat, development of a walking path system, fields and other recreational amenities, according to Janet Coit, DEM director.