Check out the Projo link to learn about the new native planting on Angell Street. Many people helped make this remarkable restoration project, including the Providence Parks Department. Above all, we thank Hope Leeson and the Forest Health Project at the Rhode Island Natural History Survey and Sally Harmon who designed and organized the nurturing and planting of over 1,000 native plants.

The Providence Journal, May 1st, 2012

At the annual meeting of the Blackstone Parks Conservancy (BPC) in March, we reviewed our “To Do” list for 2012, and as usual, maintenance was at the top. But first, an exciting new garden:

Something New

On April 27th and 28th, the Rhode Island Natural History Society (RINHS) will install over 1,000 plants (roughly 27 different native species) near the corner of Angell and Parkside. The new planting was designed for beauty as well as education. It replaces over an acre of invasive bittersweet, which was eradicated by the Forest Health Works Project.

Maintenance

Behind every project in the parks, are several—sometimes many—hours of planning and preparation. The biannual Appalachian Mountain Club Trail Day in mid-April was no exception. Volunteers and Parks Department employees worked side-by-side installing materials provided by a Department of Environmental Management grant. They erected temporary snow fencing to protect the young plants on Angell Street and staked in more erosion barriers at bluff and trail edges.

As always, the struggle to keep invasive species in check inside the woodland and at its edges continues with the help of young City Year volunteers and others.

The Boulevard Committee is revamping the South Garden, modifying the old plan to make it more inviting and prevent compaction. They’re also hatching plans for the North End. The Witherby and shelter gardens will again need tending by volunteers with help from Swan Point’s crew. And dead trees will be removed under City Forester Doug Still’s watchful eye, while new ones are planted. The popular concert series will continue this summer.

Reaching Out and Up

Second on our list is to look beyond our boundaries to team up with more neighboring environmental organizations. The Blackstone parks anchor a greenway that stretches up into Pawtucket, said to be the largest coastal woodland on the shores of the Narragansett Bay. It is famous as a rest and refueling stop for migrating birds.

The Conservation District rises beside the Seekonk River, also known as the Upper Estuary of the Narragansett Bay, and contains two ponds. Larger organizations such as the Blackstone River Valley Coalition and other mentors are helping us figure out what can be done about York Pond, which is rapidly silting up. To address the pond, we’ve learned we must look up at the 380-acre watershed on the East Side of Providence.

In addition to reaching out to regional environmental organizations and agencies, we are looking to Rhode Island academics and professionals for advice.

Renewing Emphasis on Education

A report from Yale’s School of Forestry and the Environment notes a steady decline in images of the natural environment in prize-winning children’s books from 1938 to 2008. The growing separation of many young people from the natural world might be eased by introduction to Providence’s conservation districts. So we are stepping up efforts to promote the Conservation District as an “open-air classroom” for students and adults to learn how the earth sustains itself.

In the nineteenth-century Providence a few farsighted people realized that the city needed to set aside green space for future generations. Our vision is Healthy Urban Green Space for All.

Events

- Annual River Road cleanup, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

- Second annual photo show on June 10th.

Please keep those Eastside Market receipts coming.

Emma Kibort-Crocker of City Year was one of 36 City Year volunteers who welcomed an afternoon outdoors at the York Pond corner of the Blackstone Park Conservation District April 9th.  They got an early start cutting a particularly invasive plant, Japanese knotweed, up in the woods on Irving where Park Department mowers can’t reach.  They also tackled weeds in the native plant garden installed by the Conservancy last year.  Others hauled small trees felled above the pond by storms and piled the debris at the foot of the bluff to discourage destructive foot traffic.

The volunteers, aged 17 to 24, are nearing the end of a year working in Providence schools.  Some, like Emma, plan to study education and teach.

By Elisa Vele-Tabaddor

Magnolia Warbler

The other morning I awakened to an early sunrise and the sweet sound of birds tweeting outside my window–a much welcomed sign that Spring is approaching.  Soon the trees will blossom, the temperatures will rise, and various migratory birds will brighten our local green space with stunning colors and song.

During their Spring and Fall migration, about 200 species of birds follow the Atlantic Coast Flyway travelling to Northern New England and Canada from the tropics of Florida and Central and South America and back again getting a ride on the Atlantic Gulf Stream. Between mid-April and mid-May is the best time to view the spring migration and catch sight of a variety of songbirds, warblers and hummingbirds.

Each year about 28 species of Warblers can be regularly spotted. More than 20 species of warblers have been seen on a good day at Swan Point. The greatest diversity of warblers usually peaks around mid-May but there are plenty near the end of April. (The Sun Chronicle, 2010). Look in tree tops, especially of oak trees, where they feed on the caterpillars munching on unfurling leaves.

Blackburnian Warbler

Warbler sightings in Blackstone Park:

• Hooded Warbler
• Black & White Warbler
• Pine Warbler
• Blackpoll Warbler
• Mourning Warbler
• Wilson’s Warbler
• Canada Warbler
• Nashville Warbler
• Worm-eating Warbler
• Black throated Blue Warbler
• Magnolia Warbler
• Black throated Green Warbler
• Palm Warbler
• Northern Parula
• American Redstart
• Common Yellowthroat

As our bird population burgeons in the Spring, it gets me thinking about what can we do to help protect and nourish the birds in and around Blackstone Park.

• 

  Hooded Warbler

  Individuals can pay attention to habitat and migration issues. They can also donate time and money to local conservation organizations that support wildlife habitats. Animal lovers can walk domestic cats and dogs in designated areas so as not to disrupt or destroy ground- or low-nesting animal life. They can also bypass areas of natural landscape that provide dense, protective nesting areas and wild seeds that nourish our bird population.

• Simply observing and recording the wildlife that you see while walking around or in the Conservation District can help. With the help of Brown University students, the BPC hopes to erect bulletin boards where passersby can note their sighting of birds and animals. Such records can be useful to scientists.
• Keeping neighborhood parks clean and free of debris and trash can also help protect wildlife. Use designated trash cans whenever visiting neighborhood parks and be a good neighbor by picking up trash in green areas.
• Avoid using toxic lawn chemicals.

Palm Warbler

Another Palm Warbler

Northern Parula

The City of Providence Parks Department in partnership with the URI Outreach Center announce the 2012 Season of the Roger Williams Park Community Garden.  More details here.

By Jane Peterson

The Boulevard

Emerging from a winter that was more mud than ice—more like three months of March–the path down the middle of Blackstone Boulevard needs rescuing, much as it did after a similar winter in 1998. Only this time, thanks to longstanding teamwork between the City Parks Department and the Blackstone Parks Conservancy, we’re starting from a better place than we were then.

Fourteen years ago, people walking or running on the boulevard were tripping over roots and rocks, and the complaints poured in. Parks Department landscape architect Fred Holman said that in places it was almost like “running in a ditch.” Except for some grading and topping with sand in 1984, the path had been in decline ever since the tracks’ removal following the trolley’s last run in 1948. There were so many dead and dying trees, according to an arborist called in by the Conservancy’s precursor, the Blackstone Park Improvement Association (BPIA), the park was doomed to keep deteriorating without dramatic intervention.

“That’s when we decided,” recalls then BPIA president Bob Murphy, “why don’t we try to stop the bleeding and make it better?” Then Councilwoman Rita Williams went after public funding for the path (and York Pond), the Parks Department came up with drainage plans and the idea of using stone dust to replace the soggy sand and clay mixture then commonly employed, and the BPIA opted to upgrade the natural setting. While the city took on the path, the conservancy began raising money for new benches to replace splintery ones and trees to fill the large gaps left by fallen ones.

Though people today remark that the boulevard looks better than ever, anyone who walks or jogs on the path notices the mire that’s developed in certain spots. There are far fewer such places than before, and the work beneath the surface has mostly held, but it’s time to repair those areas that puddle. With Parks Department approval, we’re exploring how best to upgrade the drainage in order to prevent those wet spots and we’re asking for estimates.

BPC will now endeavor to raise the funds through endowments and grants, and we will undoubtedly call upon the community for the best methods and materials. Please send any suggestions for the path and other projects to our web site.

The Blackstone Park Conservation District

In the Conservation District as well, we’ll be concentrating on muddy paths suffering from erosion, which would be almost impossible to do were it not for the Appalachian Mountain Club. Our partnership began in 1998, when Blackstone Park badly needed attention. Chris Shafer, Chairman of the AMC Trails Committee, offered to help the Friends of Blackstone Park and Boulevard, led by Anna Browder and Margaret Brookner.

This fruitful collaboration has continued to this day. The water bars and trail linings, the split rail fences protecting the bluffs, all of this work we owe to a longstanding partnership between AMC and BPC and the labor of many other volunteers.

We’re planning another year of our summer concert series, and we welcome your suggestions for performing bands and vocalists to invite.

Kindly send your East Side Market receipts to P.O. Box 603141. Last year we collected over $900 from this source alone.

Magnolia 'Galaxy"

With a boost from last week’s unseasonably warm weather, blooms are bursting forth along the Boulevard. A few shrubs and trees stand out. The Magnolia ‘Galaxy’ at Rochambeau has large dark pink to purplish flowers. In time this shrub will grow into a striking tree more than 30 feet tall. Near Freeman Street, three Magnolia stellata ‘Rosea’ are blooming. Also known as Pink Star Magnolia, they have light-pink flowers with many thin petals. The blooms are sensitive to frost, and may turn brown due to the cold March nights.

Light pink blossoms cover the Autumn Blooming Higan Cherry trees (Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’) at the Trolley Shelter. Stay tuned, these trees have the delightful habit of producing another set of flowers in the fall and even winter months.

If you prefer blooms closer to the ground, check out the Hellebores (magenta and white) and daffodils around the Witherby statue, the many flowering bulbs at the Trolley Shelter and around some benches, and the blue Scilla siberica in the grass near Intervale Street.

Exhibition Announcement

“Through Our Eyes: Woodland and Water”

The Second Annual Exhibit of Visual Art Celebrating Our Urban Natural Landscape

 Sunday June 10, 2012 from 2:00pm to 7:00pm

The Narragansett Boat Club, River Road, Providence, RI (between Angell and Irving)

Sponsored by the Blackstone Parks Conservancy, Friends of Blackstone Woods, and the Narragansett Boat Club.

This exhibit will showcase the natural beauty of Blackstone Park and Blackstone Boulevard, the greenway of which they are part, and the Seekonk River. We celebrate what is seen “through the eyes” of visitors and guardians–all those concerned with the preservation and wellbeing of the park and river.

Eligibility

* Work by Rhode Island visual artists (photographs, paintings, ceramics, etc.). Applicants must be over the age of 16.

* Art inspired by the natural environment, including wildlife. Of particular interest is art depicting the Blackstone Park Conservation District, Blackstone Boulevard, and the greenway along the river up to Pawtucket, including Swan Point Cemetery. No images of people, pets or gravestones.

Requirements

* Three works maximum (photographs – black and white or color).

* Sizes:  2-d work:  11” x13”, including frame

3-d work:  15” x 15”

*  Labels:  Each piece must be clearly labeled on reverse side with the artist’s name, title and medium.

*  Installation:  Photos and artwork must be ready to hang on hooks. Please use wire or cord attached to each side of the frame.

*  Artists may price their work for sale. All sales transactions are the responsibility of the artist.

*  The completed Artist Agreement Form must accompany work at drop off (see attachments).

     ** PLEASE NOTE:  We must receive an email containing pictures of your submissions by April 30th. These photos are to help us plan the exhibit only and do not need to be of high quality. They should be no more than 72 dpi, and the file size should be limited to under 500k.

The email must also include:    * Your name as you wish it to appear with your work.

* The title of the work.

* The medium or materials used.

* Sale price if you wish to sell it.

* Contact information for audience (optional).

* Your telephone number (for our records only).

email your photos and information to: eriverstone@gmail.com and janeannpeterson@gmail.com

Selection

* Display space is limited, but we hope to have space to show all the works submitted.  If not, at least one piece by all artists will be on view. The exhibit sponsors reserve the right to make final selections and to exclude work that does not meet requirements.

Drop Off Time

*  Saturday, June 9^th, 2:00 – 4:00, at the Narragansett Boat Club, River Rd, Providence.

Pick-Up Time

*  Sunday, June 10^th, 7:00 – 8:00, at the Narragansett Boat Club.

Exhibit contacts:  Elena Riverstone, Friends of Blackstone Woods

eriverstone@gmail.com

Jane Peterson, Blackstone Parks Conservancy

janeannpeterson@gmail.com

(If you would like to include one of your exhibit pieces in a raffle to be held the day of the show, please contact Elena Riverstone at the email above, and we’ll provide you with more information. Thank you!)

The bright yellow flowers of Cornus mas, or Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, have opened on the Boulevard. Its blooms, on leafless branches, are smaller than witchhazel. Noted for attracting wildlife, its nectar is gathered by bees, and ovoid red fruits will be enjoyed by birds when ripe in June. There’s one large, old shrub near Laurel Avenue, and two new small ones farther toward Swan point.  They have also been spotted at Upton and Mount Avenues.

Please join us for socializing & complimentary appetizers, followed by concise summaries of the Conservancy’s accomplishments in 2011. Our board members are eager to meet you and hear your ideas.

Two speakers will give short talks on local happenings. City Forester Doug Still will discuss challenges to our trees. Tom Brueckner, Chief Engineer at the Narragansett Bay Commission, will update us on neighborhood sewer projects.

To download our 2011 Annual Report click here.

The details: Wednesday, March 28 at India Restaurant, 1060 Hope St (across from Lippitt Park). Refreshments start at 5:30, presentations at 6:00.