Summer Fun While Sun Still Shines

Decided to ponder these dangerous times through a personal challenge to visit all bike paths and state parks throughout Rhode Island... while you still can! National Ride-a-Bike Day was on May 4th, a well timed inducement, since some of these endangered places were improved through Build Back Better transportation grants passed by previous congress, now facing renege and withdraw under a criminal regime. National Park Service keeps 3 million acres in 11 western states that may be sold to billionaire developers or oil explorers despite fact they are owned by American public, not kleptocrats or politicians, and unfit for any other purpose than to marvel at. Furthermore, federal funds to states are being slashed, especially earmarks to extend or maintain public spaces. Citizens can fight back by raising alarms, reclaiming rights, and riding such facilities in massive numbers, which makes land democracy and plurality personal.

Maybe it’s a modest seasonal goal that a compulsive cyclist could complete in a week, but set 5 conditions that must be met by bicycle: 1) Cover entire length in either direction of each dedicated bike path exclusive of on-street sections, short entrances, or spurs, not necessarily all segments in a single outing. 2) Explore any bikeable portion of every state park, if not the hundreds of also interesting city and town beaches, management areas, playgrounds, preserves, public land, and refuges. c) Arrive at ride start by any means, bus or car, or ride from home, if practical. d) For your hard to route park or segment, you may substitute a bonus suggestion. e) Challenge, once begun, extends for 1 year, though winter might affect access. Summer is 90 days; despite weather deterrents, most bicyclists can complete 10 rides over 13 weekends; with luxury of free time, completed own in 8 weeks.

For bikeways, challenge specifies Blackstone River Bikeway, East Bay Bike Path, Fed Lippitt Woonasquatucket River (aka Northwest Trail) Greenway, Gano Bike Path, Quonset Bike Path, South County (aka William O’Neill) Bike Path, Ten Mile River Greenway, Warren Bike Path, and Washington Secondary (aka West Bay) Bike Path. Not specified by RIDOT website but nevertheless under state jurisdiction are Central Falls Boardwalk, Charlie Hawkins Memorial Path in Colt Park, Henderson Bridge, and Sakonnet Bridge, 2 of 3 such parallel facilities with George Redman Linear Park alongside I-195’s controversially failed Washington Bridge. Though signed streets connecting facilities are exempt, they might prove useful while planning routes to these 14 facilities, 70 miles total.

Must also visit 20 official state lands and parks including Beavertail (shown above), Blackstone Visitor Center, Brenton Point, Burlingame, Chafee Preserve in Narragansett, Cocumcossoc (undeveloped) and Smith Grove, Colt, Curran (undeveloped), Eisenhower House, Fisherman’s Memorial, Fort Adams, Fort Wetherill, Goddard Park, Goddard Golf Course, Haines, Lincoln Woods, Pulaski, Rocky Point, Snake Den, and World War II Memorial in Woonsocket. State’s beaches, except Beach Pond, occupy southern shoreline, often widely separated (e.g., by land, Galilee beach is 14 miles from directly adjacent Jerusalem); none support bicycling, so don’t meet visit criteria, but kudos for including any en route.

Optional but worth a bonus point or requirement substitution are Arcadia in Exeter (forsaken gravel roads and hiking trails, passing by on RI-165 counts), Blackstone Boulevard bike lanes and Swan Point Cemetery (amazing arboretum) in Providence’s northeast corner, Burrillville Bike Path between Harrisville and Pascoag, Crescent Park (Looff Carousel) in East Providence, DelGiudice Memorial (aka Meadow View Avenue) Bike Path on Warwick Neck, Diamond Hill Park in Cumberland, Ninigret Park in Charlestown, Roger Williams Park in Providence, Salter’s Grove Memorial in Warwick, Slater Park in Pawtucket, Warwick City Park, Wilcox Park on High Street in Westerly, and Wilson Park in Wickford. Don’t forget Rhode Island’s National Parks, in particular, Roger Williams Memorial on North Main Street in Providence. Score 34 points, one per complete path or park visit, to complete this odyssey.

Rhode Island offers no better riding venues, least traffic and most scenic, guaranteed. Some argue secluded spots attract peculiar folks, so stay wary. Make no demands upon how and what you attempt, nor take any responsibility for misadventures you might experience. Merely share below own approach to accomplishing this possible mission, should you choose to accept it, which in part involved competing with motorists on actual roads. Wouldn’t it be nice if bikeways connected all beaches and parks? Bus and car racks might help. If you bring stuff in, take it out with you; leave no trace, unless it’s a geocache treasure. Please gloat over your successes under comments.

Bristol: Certain parks and paths can be tackled together. Assuming a Providence start, own route began at India Point, climbed over George Redman Linear Park (√), and headed south on East Bay Bike Path (√) through East Providence's Crescent Park (1 bonus), Barrington’s Haines Park (√), then Bristol’s Colt Park (√). Done in May, did loop through Colt on Charlie Hawkins Memorial Path (√), enjoyed promenade alongside Narragansett Bay, then exited past Coggeshall Farm onto Poppasquash Road, one of the finest scenery segments in entire series. Saw stately old rhodedendrons in full bloom, stunning bayside views, and swampy wooded lanes. Spent an entire morning on this 35 mile roundtrip; rode from home to India Point and back for an additional 10 miles. Ignored near mile Warren Bike Path, deemed a disconnected exit spur, traded for bonus. Score 6 or 7.

Coventry: Conversely, passing through no state parks, Washington Secondary (aka West Bay) Bike Path (√), is state’s longest at 19 miles, comprised of Cranston, Warwick, West Warwick, and Coventry Greenways in line from Parkade, excluding dangerous quarter mile Tongue Pond Loop, on Providence line, stretching southwest to Summit Station, gradually rising to highest point of rail right-of-way upon which it was built. Most improved of all, newly restored and resurfaced to Coventry line, WSBP is now a pleasure compared to what it had become: an eroded, frost heaved, root buckled course for disgruntled commuters dodging dog walkers. Olde Summit Village is a perfect example of fading glory of yesteryear, when living in a hamlet at a rail hub implied prosperity. However, should you choose an off-path return, you can pass undeveloped Curran Park (√) on Cranston-Scituate line, Seven Mile Road, across from Henry’s Christmas Tree Farm, though actually exploring it would mean hiking its narrow trails on foot. For thrills, head north from Summit to Maple Valley Road and ride east down miles of rollercoaster ridges through Hope to get to Curran, in other words, real road cycling. Round trip on this route adds 7 miles, so another 45 mile day trip. Score 1 or 2.

Glocester: Nothing to prove, you can simply drive to Casimir Pulaski State Park (√) on Connecticut border, then pedal around a bit; not much to see anyway, or skip altogether by substituting a bonus spot. Club rides in area originate from West Glocester Elementary School, all but deserted during summer. You could park at CVS on corner of RI-102 and RI-44, pursue Chestnut Hill and Pine Orchard Roads, then respectfully cross and ride shoulder of RI-44 to Pulaski. Roads surrounding park are either cul-de-sacs or dirt, though Glocester otherwise boasts some of the best maintained and least trafficked pavement in state. About 10 miles away following perfectly repaved Reservoir Road, to South Main Street, with George's Pizza on left shoulder and winding down Pascoag Main Street through villiage to Elm Street, optional Burrillville Bike Path (√) at end of Eastern Avenue behind Clear River Electric District runs 1.2 miles through cool forest between Pascoag and Harrisville. Then return south on Steere Farm Road through Chepacet to CVS. Score 1 or 2.

Jamestown: This Narragansett Bay island has 2 targets separated by 5 miles: Beavertail State Park and Fort Wetheriill. Cross Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge, exit RI-138 onto North Road, and park around or on Narragansett Avenue. Ride east then turn south on Conanicus and Walcott Avenues bike lanes to end. Fort Wetherill (√) is on left; bumpy roads lead to bay overlooks. Blueberry Lane and Highland Drive lead west to Mackeral Cove Beach on Beavertail Road, which curves south to Beavertail Park (√). Beware of deer; their ticks carry Lime Disease. Reverse course. Upon return, no bonus but often visited Fort Getty Park is 0.7 miles west of beach; either way after beach bear left onto Southwest Avenue to origin and complete a 10 mile loop. Can be bundled with Chafee Preserve (√ with minimal bicycling facilities) and Fisherman's Memorial, or Newport loop, connected by Pell Bridge (toll). Score 2 to 7.

Johnston: Snake Den State Park (√) features Dame Farm’s harvest vegetable stand, but little by way of bicycling infrastructure. From Providence, one might take Promenade Street bike lanes to Eagle Square, Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River (aka Northwest Trail) Greenway (√) from Olneyville to Lyman Street, with no guarantee of personal safety through scary environs, then the long uphill of Greenville Avenue. Turn left onto Brown Avenue, then return same way. Generally make this a side loop to a ride elsewhere. Instead, though climbs are brutal, went by way of Plainfield Street, over Neutaconkanut Hill, up Central Pike, then right on Reservoir Road. Though not recommended, this approach meant a mile long segment on US-6 with no shoulder alongside speeding motorists to Brown Avenue. Only advantage is a screaming plunge on narrow but smooth pavement to farm, from which returned home on suggested route for a 20 mile loop. Score 2.

Lincoln: Distance of Blackstone Bikeway would exceed West Bay Bike Path if you consider on-street segments from India Point, Massasoit circulator, Rumford signed streets, and Pawtucket shared lanes. Actually it’s just 13 miles of dedicated off-street paths from Central Falls to Woonsocket. Though not directly adjacent, Lincoln Woods (√) can be accessed en route to bike path start point. Found a rare shady parking spot near South Entrance of Twin River Casino, and from RI-246 descended a pedestrian underpass of RI-146 that puts you at beach in Woods, then climbed ring road to a thrilling downhill through a covered bridge onto Great Road. Straight ahead, Front Street leads to John Street and entrance to Central Falls Boardwalk (√). Most bumps and cracks on Blackstone Bikeway (√) are now repaved or scraped smooth. Old mills and rushing waterfalls punctuate its shady passages along tow paths by leafy bogs of “Nation’s Hardest Working River” during 1800’s. Watch for turtles sunning themselves on logs and rocks and unusual birds. Path goes past target Blackstone State Park (√), over bridge into Cumberland, parallel to railroad, and terminates in at soccer field on Hamlet Street, from which there’s an additional segment of path and sidewalk alongside Truman Drive that connects to River Island Art Park and World War II Memorial (√), state’s smallest park, next to Museum of Work and Culture. Having completed path and visited parks, slogged over hills of RI-126, took Old River Road, Anna Sayles to Limerock village, Wilbur Road overpass, and turned left onto RI-246 back to Twin River, 26 miles round trip. Great Road itself has a handful of historic 300 year old houses scattered along its length that mostly runs downhill from north to south, worth a trip some other time. Score 5.

Newport: A high speed ferry connects Newport with Providence. City by the Sea presents 3 targets: Brenton Point, Eisenhower House, which is on grounds of Fort Adams itself. All on a shore loop begun at King Park on Wellington Avenue, follow club advice on Harrison Avenue around corner to Fort Adams Drive (√), where Newport Jazz Festival is held. Return to Harrison via Lincoln Drive past Eisenhower House (√), follow onto Ridge Road, then Ocean Avenue, where spectacular ocean scenery begins, through Breton Point (√). Beware of distracted motorists. Finish by Bellevue and Narragansett Avenues back to origin for a 10 mile loop. Or, for better morning vistas and easier hill climbing, ride reverse in clockwise rotation. Can be bundled with Jamestown or extended by going east on Memorial Drive to Sachuest National Refuge, returning on any of several roads. Rest of Newport’s touted bicycling infrastructure is dangerously congested and disappointingly overrated given it's the birthplace of the League of American Bicyclists and paved roads. Score 3.

North Kingstown: On opposite side of Greenwich Cove from Oakland Beach is another required spot, Goddard Memorial State Park (√). Rode directly there from Providence line on Pontiac Avenue, left on RI-5 through Apponaug onto Post Road, through East Greenwich, then left onto Ives Road, 13 miles. Too far to add to a Rocky Point spin, but short enough to include another required target, Quonset Bike Path (√). After completing circuit of Goddard Park and through Golf Course (√), turned south onto Forge Road, past Pojac Point and Quidnessett Country Club, then through Mount View neighborhood to start of path, which stretches through Allen Harbor and Quonset Point to Fletcher and Post Roads, an outstanding stretch of pavement and scenery. Went straight ahead onto Devils Foot Road intending to return through Coventry and West Warwick only to be turned back at closed overpass toward a detour on School Street. Adapted and took back roads to Love Lane, Hardig Road, Commonwealth Avenue, and College Hill Road en route to Washington Secondary Bike Path back to Providence, about 40 miles roundtrip. Wickford’s one mile Wilson Park Bikeway just happens to be adjacent to mostly undeveloped target Cocumcossoc Park and Smith Grove (√), which can be explored from Post Road and Stony Lane, checked off after Memorial Day on way to Veteran’s Cemetery in Exeter. Score 3 to 5.

Pawtucket: Picked an iffy day to check off Ten Mile River Greenway (√) from its start point on Ferris Avenue, East Providence. Started off dry but was soon swimming through persistent mist. Rode 6 miles to India Point, traced path/sidewalk around construction to target Gano Bikeway (√); has gotten menacingly overgrown and occupied by transients since this blogger first recommended RIDOT build it then rode upon opening. Leads you to Richmond Square. Formerly, you’d take on-ramp to join motor traffic crossing Henderson Bridge. Now, just up knoll from Waterman Grille, you turn left onto new parallel but separate bikeway (√), which would be preferable if path didn’t trail off about a block south of major circulator at Massasoit Avenue. Made a U-turn then turned up steep Wilmarth Avenue to get back on track to North Broadway. As always, turned onto Metacomet to Centre Street, up Pawtucket Avenue to Pleasant, then across Newman Avenue to Kimberley Ann Rock Athletic Facility parking lot. On a drizzly day with few others around, the 3 dark miles overlooking Turner Reservoir, Slater Park (√), and woods beyond was disturbingly mythic. Returned by Columbus Avenue, Division Street, Pleasant Street, Alfred Stone Road, and North Main Street, past Roger Williams National Memorial (√), Smith Street to State House surrounded by ten thousand anti-fascism, pro-democracy protestors, part of the biggest protest in USA history, five million nationwide, then across downtown to Eddy Street. In recent years, Providence’s Roger Williams Park (√), once an official arboretum featuring rare shrubs and trees, still operating New England’s best zoo and other attractions, has become a fine cycling venue with an area for BMX, and 4 miles of roads partially lined with dedicated lanes, definitely worth attention, nicer than Lincoln Woods. They hosted Cyclocross World Cup Championships there. Completed 30 mile outing by lunchtime. Score 4 to 5.

South County: Drive south on RI-2 to RI-138, and park in north lot of West Kingston Train Station. Go west on RI-138 over train bridge and immediately turn south on Fairgrounds Road, which becomes Liberty Lane. Follow RI-2 south to Heaton Orchard and Beaver River Roads. Turn right on Shannock Hill, then left on North Road (splendid overlook). [Modified due to recent construction closure.] Once in Shannock Village bear right and follow Old Shannock Road to RI-112, then Alton Carolina Road (RI-91) southwest. Just after Switch Road, turn south on Kings Factory Road. Turn left at tee to continue south in the high sanctuary. Bear right on Prosser, then right on Sanctuary Road, which leads through the part of Burlingame Park (√) public can visit; RV grounds requiring permits are on opposite side of Watchaug Pond. Carefully enter and U-turn on US-1 onto Old Post Road. Optionally, visit Ninigret Park (√) for a bonus. Beware: There be hidden trolls, like Greta Granite (shown). Return to Old Post Road and ride until it merges again with US-1. U-turn to switch back to Post Road, then Ministerial Road. Turn right on Tuckertown Road, then left onto Main Street through Wakefield to intercept South County Bike Path just after Robinson Street. Follow Path to Mumford Road in Narragansett. Optionally, turn north on US-1A to touch Chafee Preserve, then reverse. Follow entire South County Path (√) back to Railroad Street and origin. Score 2 to 4.

Warwick: Along with many cyclists do a loop from Allens Avenue’s bike lane straight past Stillhouse Cove (shown), through Pawtuxet onto Narragansett Parkway, site of Gaspee Day Parade and where there’s another bonus park, Salter’s Grove (√). Continue through Governor Francis Farms through hazardous Hoxie Four Corners (often use sidewalk from Squantum Road to Walgreens). Although West Shore Road has a wide shoulder afterward, instead turn left before village and take shoreline back roads to Conimicut Beach with an impressive bay panorama, then Tidewater Drive on route to Rocky Point State Park (√), a required stop. To access secret northern entrance from Palmer Avenue, turn left on Priscilla Avenue, steeply downhill (first test brakes or wind up in bay) to right on Bennet Road. Bypass closed car gate. Beware of dog walkers on state bike path around to main entrance, exiting back onto Palmer Avenue. Once you again reach Priscilla Avenue, turn left onto city DelGiudice Memorial (aka Meadow View Avenue) Bike Path (√), which leads to Warwick Neck Avenue. If you take left back onto West Shore Road, you can follow side streets to Pequot Avenue into Oakland Beach, where there’s short beachside bike path beginning at Iggy’s Chowder Shack 16 miles from start. Sea View and Hawksley Roads return on a direct line along Bush Neck Cove to West Shore Road. Directly across, Glen Drive will lead you into Warwick Public Library’s parking lot. You can reverse course via Old Warwick Avenue, Church Street, Overlook Avenue, then retrace West Shore to Hoxie; just avoid Warwick Avenue at all costs. Reversing course will total about 28 miles. Optionally, if very careful, you can add 12 miles by going west to nearby Asylum Road and riding fun City Park Bike Path (√), a 5 mile rolling twisty loop, and returning via Sandy Lane to Warwick Library. With optional extension, you’ll total 40 miles. Good news is this section of Warwick represents some of the flattest terrain in entire state. Score 1 to 4.

Skipped Fisherman’s Memorial, Sakonnet Bridge Bikeway, Warren Path, and Wilson Park in Wickford, all visited prior to challenge. Substituted bonus spots Crescent Park, Harrisville-Pascoag Bike Path, Ninigret Park, Roger Williams Park, Salter’s Grove Memorial Park, Slater Park, and Warwick City Park, as well as Roger Williams Memorial National Park. Scored 39, 5 beyond required 34, and tanned up like a Caribbean accountant.

Where Do You Stand?

Rhode Islanders abide, even enjoy, fascinatingly unique geographical names scattered across their tiny state, many bastardized from what they were once called by indigenous peoples: Narragansetts (Pawtuxet South to Point Judith), Niantics (Point Judith to Weekapaug), Nipmucs (Pawtucket toward northwest and Weekapaug westward into CT), Pequots (western RI border into CT), Sakonnets (Little Compton), Sauks ('yellow mud" people of Quonochontaug), Toskeyonke ("bridge/ford" people along shores of Pocasset River), Wampanoags (East Bay to Cape Cod), and whoever time seems to have so forgotten you can't find any mention on internet.

Traditionally costumed Narragansett woman attending a recent South County festival  (click on pictures to enlarge)

Indigenous place names were based on natural, physical, topological, and useful criteria observed in their annual migrations inland in summer with staple corn grown in protected fields, then to shore in winter with shellfish being an important but perishable part of diet protected from spoilage by cold. Shell nacre was worked into decorative beads, wampum, valued for trade.

In response to anemic articles one encounters, below are listed all of the most persistent and recognizable examples, each with its current name, how now pronounced, location in state, and "what it signified". Click link for enhanced details, lost labels, and variable spellings from Dr. Francis Joseph O'Brien, Jr. of Rhode Island USGenWeb Project.

Acoaxet [ah COKE sit] over Little Compton border in Wesport “at a fishing promontory beside fields and small pines”

Agawan [AG ah wahn] in East Providence, a "low place overflowed by water" where they beached canoes

Annaquatucket [an nah kwah TUCK it] in North Kingstown south of Wickford “at the end of a river”

Annawomscutt [an nah WOMS cut] Creek in Barrington “at the rock summit” or “ruler’s hill”

Apponaug [AP poh nog] village in Warwick “where he roasts oysters (shellfish)”

Aquidneck [uh KWID neck] including Middletown, Newport and Portsmouth, “a place on an island”

Antushantuck [AN tush AN tuck] Neck in Cranston, “a well forested place near oxbow in river”, now a necropolis with St. Anne’s and Pocasset Cemeteries

Ashaway [ASH ah way] in Hopkington, “land in the middle (between)”

Canonchet [cuh NON chet] in Narraganset, “place he (Conanicus) oversees/protects/rules”

Chepacet [cha PACH it] hamlet in Glocester, from an anecdote about a lost “devil’s purse”

Chepiwanoxet [chep eh WAN ox it] Island in East Greenwich, “a small separate place” possibly harboring spirits of the departed

Chibacoweda [chee bah co WEE dah] or Prudence Island, a “small place separated by a passage”

Chipuxet [chee PUCKS it] in South Kingstown, at “turning place where the stream divides”

Chisawannock [chee sah WAHN nock] Island in Bristol, “a principle fishing place”

Chopmist [CHOP mist] Hill in Scituate, from Chapomeset, still a “crossroads”

Cocumcussoc [caw cawms KWIS sick] Brook, now Stony Brook, in North Kingstown, "where there are small sharpening stones”; once an early 17th Century trading post, then a slave plantation, the likes of James Varnum and Nathaniel Greene turned Smith's Castle into a revolutionary camp within a hidden cove. Name persists as an undeveloped state park.

Conanicut [ko NAN eh kut] Island, now Jamestown, named for Narraganset Sachem Conanicus

Conimicut [kon NIM i cut] Point and village in Warwick, named for Conanicus’ granddaughter Quinimikit

Cooneymus [KOO neh mis] Cove on Block Island, a “long gravelly reef”

Cowesett [koh WEE set] in West Warwick, a “groves of pines"

Escoheag [ES koh hog] in West Greenwich, “at head of three rivers”

Hummocks [HUM mocks] in Portsmouth, an “enclosed area where fishing occurs”

Kickemuit [kick eh MEW it] in Warren, “where there’s a large spring”

Louisquissett [loo is KWIS set] or Loquassuck [lo KWAS sick] in Smithfield near lime quarries “where they meet” and suspect loquaciously discuss

Mashapaug [MASH ah pog] in Providence, a “large pond”

Massasoit [mass ah SOY it] Spring in East Providence, named for Wampanoag Sachem Wasamegin, who settlers called Massasoit, shown below encountering sanctimonious English Puritans

Matunuck [muh TOON nick] in Charlestown, an “observation hill”

Meshanticut [meh SHAN ti cut] Pond in Cranston, which still has “large trees beside brook”

Metacomet [met ah KOM et] Brook in East Providence “related to Massasoit’s clan”; Metacom, aka King Philip

Miantonomi [MY an toh NOH mee] Hill, etc. on Aquidneck, named for Sachem “who wages war”

Misquamicut [mis KWAHM eh cut] Beach in Westerly, “where salmon are”

Moosup [MOO sup] River in Foster, named for Narraganset sachem Maussup “Little Bird”, aka Pessicus

Moshassuck [moh SHASH uck] River in Providence, “a great marshy meadow” where they hunted moose

Nanaquaket [na na QUACK ut] Cove or Point in Tiverton, “where swamp dries up”

Napatree [NAP ah tree] Point in Westerly, once a "treed neck", but now a sand dune after past hurricanes 

Narragansett [neh ruh GAN set] Bay, People, and Town “where the river narrows”; and down Ocean Drive to end of Hazard Avenue there is Indian Rock, as depicted by A.T. Bricher, oil on canvas (1871). Indian is what settlers called natives because they thought their exploration landed them in Asia, unaware there was an intervening Western Hemisphere with two whole continents, homes to several more advanced civilizations than theirs.

Natick [NAY tick] in West Warwick, “home uphill”

Nausauket [NAW saw kit] in Warwick, “between outlets” to Greenwich Bay

Nayatt [NIGH at] in Barrington “at the point”

Neutaconkanut [NEW tah KON kuh nut] Hill in Providence “at the scant boundary” where land treaty negotiated with Roger Williams originally ended

Niantic [nigh AN tic] Avenue in Providence and Point Judith in Narraganset, a “point of land at the tidal estuary”

Ninigret [NIN eh gret] Park in Charlestown, named for a Niantic sachem

Nooseneck [NOOSE neck] Hill in West Greenwich, where there’s a “beaver pond”

Occupessuatuxet [OX cue pess uh ah TUCKS it] in Warwick “at a small cove on tidewater”, whence Hoxie

Papasquash [PA pa squash] Peninsula in Bristol, possibly "broken rocks", not "papoose squaw"

Pascoag [PASS ko] hamlet in Burrillville “where the river branches”

Paucatuck [PAW kah tuck] in Westerly “a divided stream”

Pawtucket [puh TUCK it] “place of waterfall”

Pawtuxet [puh TUCKS it] at border of Cranston and Warwick, “at a little falls”; applies to entire river inland with two branches to headwaters in Coventry and Scituate

Pesquamscot [pes KWAMS kit] Pond in Richmond, aka Worden's Pond, state's largest natural lake, where “a boulder is split”

Pettaquamscutt [pet tah KWAMS kit] Meeting Place in South Kingstown “at the round rock”; also by proximity applied to what's now Narrow River

Pocasset [poh CASS it] River in Cranston "where the stream widens"

Ponaganset [pon ah GAN sit] Reservoir in Foster at a "waiting place on the shore"

Potowomut [pot uh WAHM ut] in Warwick, a "long meadow where trading occurs"

Quidnessett [kwid NESS sit] in North Kingstown “at a small island”

Quidnick [KWID nick] in Coventry “at hill’s end”

Quonochontaug [KWAN uh kon tog] in Charlestown an “extended deserted place beside two adjacent long ponds”

Quonset [KWAN sit] Point in North Kingstown at “a long place by a shallow cove”

Sachuest [SAT choo est] in Middletown “at the little hill near the great hill” between which is Paradise Valley, a geological and naturalist mecca for late 18th Century impressionist painters, including George Bellows, Paradise Point, oil on canvas (1919), likely inspired by an area at northeast corner of Gardiner Pond along Hanging Rock Road. This plein air painting intentionally draws your eye to Sachuest Point barely seen to left on horizon.

Sakonnet [sah KON nit] Point in Little Compton with a “rocky outlet”; also people who resided there and river that flows south past there

Sapowet [sah POW it] Marsh in Tiverton, literally “wet mire”, now a bird sanctuary

Saugatucket [saw gah TUCK it] River in South Kingstown “at the outlet of the tidal river”

Scituate [SIT yoo it] Town “at the cold brook or springs”

Seekonk [SEE konk] estuary to Providence River “where black geese are”

Shannock [SHAN nock] Village in Richmond where “salmon fishing” is good

Shawomet [SHAW oh meht], now Warwick Neck, where there's a “spring on a tongue of land”, also applied by early settlers to a spit in Northern Portsmouth

Shickasheen [SHICK ah sheen] Brook in West Kingston providing a “great water spring”

Shumunkanuck [shoe mun KAH nuck] Hill in Charlestown, a “high refuge”

Suckatunkanuck [suck ah TUNK kah nuk] Hill in Johnston, once wooded with “dark colored rocks at summit”

Sneech [SNEECH] Pond in Cumberland with “rocks alongside or at outlet”

Sockanosset [SOCK ah noh set] Crossroad at a “dark colored small place” in Cranston; once a slate mine

Sowams [soh WAHMS] in Barrington, “land to the south”

Sqauntum [SKWAHN tum] Point in East Providence, “gateway to an angry god"”

Succotash [SUK koh tash] Point and Road in South Kingstown associated with “corn kernel pulp”, an important foodstuff

Tautog [tah TOG] Cove in Charlestown “where there are fish”; also applied to actual species of fish

Tiogue [TIE ohg] in Coventry, a “pond at low land”

Tippecanset [tip peh CAN sit] Pond in Exeter, a “small place at the great clearing”

Tockwotton [TOCK wot ton] Shore in East Providence at a “steep climb resembling a pounding mortar”

Tommaquaug [TOM ah kWAh] Brook in Hopkington, where "they who cut" butcher beavers

Touisset [too WEE set] a quiet corner of Warren where you “ford a stream”

Tunk [TUNK] Hill in South Scituate, is “wooded”

Usquepaug [US kah pog] on river at border of Richmond and South Kingstown “at the end of pond”

Wamponaug [WAHM poh nog] Trail in East Providence, after "People of the First Light (Dawn, East)" who greeted European settlers beside their Sachem Massasoit shown (1620), with deserved reservations but dutiful generosity. Ancestors of these pandemic infected pilgrims given unconditional refuge are now among the most vocal anti-immigrationists.

Wanskuk [WANS kuk] in North Providence at a “steep spot”

Wanamoisett [wah nah MOY sit] in East Providence, once “a good place to fish”

Watchaug [WATCH og] Pond in Charlestown "at hill country"

Watchemoket [watch uh MAH ket] Pond in East Providence “where there’s a great spring”

Weekapaug [WEEK ah pog] at Charlestown and Westerly, a “dividing line” between Niantic and Nipmuc tribes

Wesquage [WESS kwage] Pond at Bonnet Shores in Narragansett, a "cove where clay pots are made", now a wildlife refuge

Westconnaug [WEST con og] Reservoir near Clayville in Foster at “a long place”

Weybosset [way BAH set] Street in downtown Providence; “half way gets narrow”, as at a bridge

Wickaboxet [WICK ah box it] in West Greenwich "at the end of a small pond"

Wincheck [WIN check] Pond at Rockville in Hopkinton, "a pleasant place"

Winnapaug [WIN nah pog] in Westerly, a “good pond”

Woonasquatucket [woo NAH skwa TUCK it] River flows from Smithfield into Providence River “at head of the tidal river”

Woonsocket [woon SOCK it] city at a “steep spot with two rivers”

Wyoming [why OH ming] in Richmond; “large prairie” name much later imported from Delaware language, so not native

Yawgoog [YAWH goo] in Hopkinton on “one side of pond”

Rhode Island founder Roger Williams, exiled from congregation and outnumbered by locals, naturally became interested in Narraganset (Algonquian) language, so he codified A Key Into the Language of America (1643) from oral phonetic into originally written. His healthy respect helped preserve many old place names that gave food hints and useful facts; property ownership was not their priority. Ones that stuck refer to bays, brooks, coves, lakes, parks, ponds, rivers, roads, and whatever nobody owns. If they could build on it, upstart settlers would've tagged it meaninglessly and taken for themselves. English and French brazenly or ignorantly overwrote majority with port towns names from old world for no sensible reason or used own surnames to claim property. Ego, insecurity, or sociopathy obviously played a role. Nobody can go back and stop them from despoiling environment and violating treaties, but you can today organize resistance, stay vigilant, and stop tyrants before they destroy democracy, ruin rule of law, and strip rights from you.

Despots through history renamed places (i.e., Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America, or Tsaritsyn to Stalingrad) to confuse, cower and dominate citizens. Williams also wrote extensively on the misuse of executive and governmental powers. The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution for Cause of Conscience (1644) was a source for First Amendment of the United States Constitution guaranteeing free speech, though currently under shocking attack through restrictive executive orders with specious lawsuits brought against investigative journalists, media outlets, news reporters, private colleges, and whoever challenges their ruthless campaign to seize authoritarian rule. You stand at an inflection point where the worst of history tries to repeat itself.

John Wilderming of the National Gallery noted, "At the center of all its contrasts the Rhode Island landscape has been abidingly benevolent... making us feel that little separates the real from the ideal... How could it be otherwise in a state which has place names like Prudence, Patience, Providence, Hope, and Paradise [respectively, bay islands, capitol city, hamlet in Scituate, and valley on south shore of Middletown]?" Elite residents have fought for decades to limit or remove detrimental core industries, thus impoverishing factory workers and other laborers. Lack of housing and jobs suits multigenerational multimillionaires just fine, not their problem, since they prefer untended fields and wild woods separating them from hungry humans and neglected needy.