Charlestown wins $180,000 DEM Recreation Grant

Improvements coming at Ninigret Park

Big win for Charlestown!

By Will Collette

Charlestown was the winner of one of sixteen “Large Projects Recreational Development Grants” from state bond funds awarded through the RI Department of Environmental Management. On May 16, DEM announced the grant winners for the $4,121,832 it is awarding in this category.

This is a matching grant and Charlestown’s $180,000 match will come from the town’s Special Fund for Ninigret. The fund comes from set-aside rental revenues from such events as Rhythm & Roots and has a current balance of over $200,000.

Charlestown residents will see three main improvements at Ninigret Park. 

There will be four new composting toilet facilities added – three in the area of the soccer field and the fourth will be sited at the Dog Park to accommodate the humans at the Dog Park, plus the Disc Golf course and walkers.

A new 30 x 84 foot handicapped accessible pavilion will be sited in the Lil Nini Pond area to serve the needs of the summer camp program to replace the big tent that has been used in the past. It will have a metal roof, not shingles.

The restroom near the playground will be renovated and upgraded with a heating system to make it more accessible during winter months.

Though it would be great to see these important improvements go into the Park right away, this is just the beginning of the town’s internal process that will involve the Planning Commission, Zoning and of course the Town Council will ultimately direct the Town Administrator on how to proceed.

If the project completes this internal process, the job will have to go out to bid and the Council must make the final decision about what contractor the town will use.

Still unclear: whether the new facilities will be stocked with this state-of-the-art product.

Parks and Recreation Director Jay Primiano said:

I am thrilled at the news of this grant award for the improvements to Ninigret Park!  Additionally, I am very proud of our Parks and Recreation Department staff and the members of other Town Hall Departments that were instrumental in the execution of the completion of this grant proposal.  I am continually reminded of the value of working with colleagues that are true professionals.  This was a team effort.  Parks and Recreation Secretary, Becca Crosby was integral to the development of this grant as she assisted in each element of the process.  I look forward to the challenges that lie before us in the execution of the projects identified for completion in the grant.