Warwick Parks, Beaches Closed in COVID-19 Crisis

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WARWICK – Mayor Joseph J. Solomon has ordered all Warwick parks and beaches closed, including Rocky Point State Park and recreational facilities, to limit spread of COVID-19.

Parks and recreational facilities that are closed include Apponaug Park, Belmont Park, Warwick City Park, Clegg Field, Conimicut Point Park, Goddard Memorial State Park, the Gorton Track, Oakland Beach Park, Pawtuxet Park, Rocky Point State Park, George Salter Memorial Grove, Father Tirocchi Field, Winslow Park.

Warwick’s Parks and Recreation Department, which includes McDermott Pool, as well as Thayer and Warburton Arenas, has been closed since Mayor Solomon declared a state of emergency for the City of Warwick on Friday, March 13.

 The public must refrain from visiting these areas, Solomon announced Tuesday. Warwick Police will continue to monitor parks and beaches for compliance. If people are blatantly ignoring the new rules – if they choose to congregate in groups at parks and beaches, or if they are not complying with physical distancing rules – they may be cited if actions and behavior are not corrected, according to the Mayor’s office.

“Too many people have been congregating at our parks and beaches recently, with little regard to social distancing rules. Also, as we see other parks and beaches around the state closing, it is natural that people start heading for the areas that remain open. This order is not about shutting down our recreational areas for our residents; it is about preventing an influx of visitors from congregating,” Solomon said.

City, DEM closing Rocky Point State Park  

RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Director Janet Coit has been working with Solomon to coordinate closing Rocky Point State Park, which is jointly owned by the City and the DEM.

“While it is hard to close Rocky Point State Park, along with our other beautiful state parks and beaches, it is absolutely necessary to do so at this critical time,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Protecting public health is paramount, and that means adhering to social distancing and restricting access to public places where any groups might gather – such as parks and beaches.”

 RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Director Janet Coit has been working with Mayor Solomon to coordinate the closure of Rocky Point State Park, which is jointly owned by the City and the DEM.

 “While it is hard to close Rocky Point State Park, along with our other beautiful state parks and beaches, it is absolutely necessary to do so at this critical time,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “Protecting public health is paramount, and that means adhering to social distancing and restricting access to public places where any groups might gather – such as parks and beaches.”