Sail, Fish, Bike, and Canoe
in Cranston
See parts of our city most people have never seen. This summer sign up for Explore Cranston, a free program for families to enjoy the outdoors. You can learn to paddle a canoe, sail, bike, and fish. Adults and children over seven years old may participate in teams. A team could be a family of five, a single adult, or any other combination. Each team must have at least one adult.
You can sign up for one event, or all four. Teams that participate in all three events will be recognized by Mayor Allan Fung as Cranston Explorers in a special ceremony in September. Take Yourself to Sea and Canoeing On the Pawtuxet are accessible via RIPTA's bus 1. All About Water is accessible via RIPTA route 30.
"All About Water" will be held at Meshanticut Lake State Park. We will meet at the corner on Curtis Street and Metropolitan avenues at the northern end of the park. Parking is available in the Cranston High School West parking lot directly next to the park. The event will run from 10 AM to 1 PM. You may arrive and sign in at any time. Then you may decide what to do.
Activities include:
1. Fishing: Supervised fishing with rods provided by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management will take place at the southern end of the lake. Anyone over 16 years old must have a fishing license to participate. Children do not need licenses.
2. Tree planting: We will remove a small area of asphalt and plant several trees to improve the park. Everyone is welcome to help with this work which will be at the northern end of the park near the sign in area. If you have a shovel, please bring it.
3. Water testing and Runoff education: Our tree planting project will help with runoff, but we will also test the lake and inlet stream water to learn about runoff and water quality. This will be at the northern end of the lake.
4. Walking: A paved trail circles the lake and families will be welcome to walk around the lake at their own pace.
5. Canoeing: We will have one or two canoes available for use at the northern end of the lake.
6. Picnicking: We urge you to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the lake and surrounding woods.
The park has no drinkable water, picnic tables, concession stand or bathrooms, so please plan accordingly.
Take yourself to sea at the Edgewood Sailing School's "Explore Cranston" afternoon!
No experience needed, one-hour runs, each sailboat will have a Sailing School skipper aboard plus room for three "crew." US Sailing Certified Instructors will get you sailing in a comfortable classic Rhodes19 keelboat. Individuals and groups up to 3 can sail together. Appropriate clothing: soft rubber-soled shoes, shirts, shorts, pants, hats, sunscreen. Bring your life jacket, or use one of ours.
For pictures and a lot of information about this and other Sailing School's summer lessons and activities click to the website http://www.edgewoodsailing.org or telephone the office
Event is weather-dependent. Sessions at 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm - limited enrollment for each session (12).
Explore Cranston by canoe, launching at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. We supply the canoe, paddles and life preservers, you paddle the calm river at your pace for an hour. Great trip for kids. Turtles, muskrats, swans commonly seen. Canoes available at 9, 10 & 11. Space is limited so reservations are strongly suggested: Call Danielle Cares (573-7054) after June 15.
The farmers market, with a great supply of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables will also be open from 9 to 12 just up the hill from the walks and canoeing. Hablamos español.
8am to 11am.Richard Durishin, Executive Director of US Open Cycling, will run the event and will cover the following topics:
- Basic cycling
- How not to look silly wearing your helmet!
- Fitting your bike so you can ride like the wind!
- What to eat! What not to eat! Why?
- Neighborhood riding! Bike path riding! Hey! Look out for that pothole!
- Individual helmet fitting
- Individual bike fit adjustment
- Bike handling course to challenge all levels!
- Individual skills evaluation and coaching
After the event, you are encouraged to explore the Cranston Bike Path, just a block away. There are now two sessions, with limited enrollment in each. 9:00am and 11:00am. Meet at the Hugh Bain Middle School.