Little more than 100 years ago, the shady woodlands along the shore of Greenwich Bay were barren sand dunes. In 1874, the owner of the land, Henry Russell began a private tree planting project that he continued for thirty years.

He began by carrying acorns in his pockets, pushing them into the sand as he went on his daily walks. Later, after he built his 33-room mansion (1876) he began raising a wide varitey of seedling trees to transplant into the dry sandy soil.

After Russell died, the new owner of the land, Colonel Robert H.I. Goddard continued to plant trees for another 20 years.

Rhode Island, and in fact most of New England, had been deforested long before, in the creation of farmland and in the production of roads, fences, iron, and steam. A new forest of oaks on the shoreline of Greenwich Bay and Greenwich Cove were so unusual that the estate's mansion was called, "The Oaks".

Forersters from the US Forest Service who visited the site in the early 1900's called this "the finest example of private forestry in America."

In November of 1927, this land was given to the State of Rhode Island by Goddard's children in memory of the Colonel, including not only the land but numerous buildings, including the mansion with its huge ballroom and antique tapestries. On June 1, 1930, the park was opened to the public.

The park was quickly rennovated, including a "merry-go-round" carousel and a public beach, thanks largely to labor and funds provided by the depression-era Works Progress Adminstration (WPA).

The huricane of 1938 which wrecked much of Rhode Island had its toll on the park, but the trees stood and most of the buildings survived. The mansion stood mostly empty, being used occasionally by the state for special exhibitions, finally suscumbing to fire in 1979.

Several barns and outbuildings continue to used for park maintenance and for the convenience of the park's visitors. The round building that once housed the carousel is now a performing arts center for weddings, concerts, picnics, and special events.

Today, people can picnic, ride on horseback, or walk in the shade of the huge old trees that have been planted by Russell and Goddard.

Goddard Memorial State Park attracts thousands of visitors each year as Rhode Island's most popular Metropolitan Park. The park offers a beautiful natural environment consisting of 489 acres of spacious lawns, fields, and forested areas. The tree varieties come from all over the world, including 62 deciduous and 19 evergreen species.

Visitors make use of a newly renovated saltwater beach and bathhouse, a ning-hole golf course, an equestrian show area, 18 mies of bridle trails, 355 picnic tables, and 11 game fields.

The park is technically within the boundaries of Warwick, in a section that the local residents call Potowomut, at 1095 Ives Road. Potowomat ("Land of Fires" in the local Native American language) is divided from the rest of Warwick by the town of East Greenwich. To get there from Providence, take 95 south to Route 4, exiting immedietly at exit 8. Take a right onto Division Street and continue straight to Route 1 (also called Post Road or Main Street) and turn right. At the next light, take a left and follow the signs about a mile to Goddard Memorial Park's enterance on the left. During warm weather, entrances and exits are one-way, with the entrance about a quarter mile farther along Ives Road.

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For more information about the park or to reserve facilities, contact the park office at 401-884-2010. You can also visit the DEM Parks and Recreation department online at www.parks.com.

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