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The
Industrial to Recreational Transition Continues
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The recent installation on the Blackstone River of
the buoy system at Pratt Dam in Cumberland, Rhode
Island is a wonderful example of how a river
continues to be redefined from a place for industry
to a region, rich with opportunities, to enjoy
leisure time. What was once called “One of
America’s most polluted rivers,” by an article in
Audubon Magazine is proving that the only constant
in life is change.
Before 1972, and the Clean Water Act, there were
only two species of fish that could survive in the
main stem of the Blackstone River. Since then the
number of species in the main stem has increased to
at least nineteen. Through the collaborative
efforts of various organizations, the Blackstone
River is fast becoming a recreational mecca by
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New bouy system installed on the Blackstone River at
the Pratt Dam in Cumberland, RI
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The construction of the Blackstone River Bikeway,
currently offers a ten mile off-road trial open to
the public. Visions of the expansion of an
additional thirty-eight miles will result in a
forty-eight mile trek from Providence, RI, to
Worcester, MA and is attracting people locally and
from afar. The adventure race, known as the UniBank
Blackstone River Valley Greenway Challenge, has
brought participants and volunteers for the past
nine years to destinations all along the Blackstone
River Valley region, building awareness of the
recreational opportunities, historic destinations
and natural beauty of the region.
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John Carr and Keith
Hainley, members of the Friends of the
Blackstone/Blackstone River Watershed
Council remove downed cut trees from the
Blackstone Canal.
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These efforts and countless others have enticed
outdoor enthusiasts and families alike to explore
the Blackstone River in ways that had become a thing
of the past for far too long. The increased interest
in enjoying the natural resources can present new
challenges and luckily with the help of dedicated
individuals, organizations and businesses, those
challenges are being met. The most recent was the
danger that exists at the Pratt Dam in Cumberland,
Rhode Island.
The dam has been the site of numerous river rescues,
and unfortunately, fatalities. According to Peter
Casson, Director of Recreation of River Safety for
the Blackstone River Watershed Council and Friends
of the Blackstone, Inc., and Manager of Eastern
Mountain Sports Outdoors School, “Before the
installation of the buoy system, the paddlers would
come around the bend without time to realize they
needed to portage.” As a result of the
collaborative efforts there are now buoys and lines
strategically placed at the site, along with
warnings signs, to help to ensure the safety of
paddlers who choose to heed the warnings and avoid
‘shooting the tubes’.
The combined contributions of financial backing,
generously donated by Paul and Lynn D’Amado of
Bill’s Auto Recycling, with the engineering and
sweat equity of members of the Blackstone River
Watershed Council, Friends of the Blackstone, Inc.
and the Valley Boys, exemplified the power of
various groups with diverse interests pulling
together to reach a common goal. Watershed Council
President Frank Matta explained, “We have come so
far with wonderful people who work well together,
sharing the common cause of beautifying and
restoring the river.”
Another project recently undertaken by the Friends
of the Blackstone/Blackstone River Watershed Council
was the clean-up of the Blackstone Canal in Lincoln
and Cumberland, RI. The Canal which will be part of
the 47.4mile course for this year’s Greenway
Challenge had been cluttered with debris, dead wood
and downed trees, making it risky for paddlers to
get through. Working as volunteers with various
partner organizations, the “Friend’s” have cleared
the Blackstone Canal, making it once again passable
and allowing joggers, walkers, and paddlers to enjoy
the beauty.
The clean-ups of the Blackstone River and Canal and
the installation of the buoy system and warning
signs at the Pratt Dam are excellent examples of
what happens when various groups pull together to
achieve what could not otherwise be accomplished.
We have all heard the old adage, “It takes a
village.” Perhaps it’s time to also recognize that,
often, it takes many villages to raise a region.
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