Fred Lippitt Woonasquatucket River Bikeway

The Woonasquatucket River Bikeway provides a vital link for biking to work or school for residents in Providence and Johnston. The path runs 5 miles from Providence Place Mall in Providence to Lyman Avenue in Johnston. About half of the path is off-road from Aleppo Road to Lyman Avenue with another short segment near Eagle Square. An on-road bike route, including dedicated bike lanes on Promenade Street and Kinsley Avenue, leads all the way to Providence Place Mall and the start of the Providence Riverwalk. The on-road segments are recommended for experienced cyclists only and riders should use caution during peak periods and at road crossings.

Click here to download larger version of map at right in PDF.

The bikeway is one part of the Woonasquatucket River Greenway Project, which was created in the early 1990s by Fred Lippitt, then chairman of The Providence Plan, who earlier served as a State Representative. Lippitt championed the cause to spur development of abandoned industrial sites, to support the underserved neighborhoods in the Olneyville area, and highlight the river, which had been all but forgotten and used as a dumping ground.

The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council has been a force in advocating for the path's development and maintenance. Historical information about the bikeway can be found on the organization's website.

Construction History:

The bikeway has been built in phases since the early 2000s. These are listed below chronologically:

• 2002: The first on-road segment opened from Donigian Park on Valley Street to Providence Place Mall (1.4 miles)
• 2007: Completion of first off-road segment from Aleppo Street in Providence to Lyman Avenue in Johnston (3.6 miles)

Design work is proceeding on additional spurs off the paved section of bikeway. A segment of the path is closed through early 2013 for sewer work. Click here to learn more.

Cycling the route and path takes approximately 35-45 minutes in each direction. Heading from east to west, beginning at Providence Place Mall:

• The path runs on dedicated bike lanes on Promenade Street from the rear of the Providence Place Mall at Park Street. Cyclists ride in the left shoulder in bike lanes. River views are limited to dense foliage, but a pedestrian bridge close to the intersection with Dean Street and Pleasant Valley Parkway offers an excellent vantage point of the river. Note: Heading east, riders use the bike lane on a segment of Kinsley Avenue that runs parallel to the Woonasquatucket River and Promenade Street, in the direction of one-way traffic.
• Riders are encouraged to dismount when crossing the busy intersection with Dean Street and Pleasant Valley Parkway.
• The path follows Promenade for one block, then turns left on a bridge over the river, then right onto Kinsley Street. Although riders still need to exercise caution riding next to live traffic, this segment has considerably less traffic and offers more scenic views of the river.
• At Eagle Street, the path runs mostly off-road behind the Eagle Square shopping plaza in three short segments.
• The path then follows an on-road route through a residential neighborhood on Tuxedo Avenue and Amherst Street before meeting busy Valley Street. RIDOT is exploring off-road options close to the river behind former mill complexes. Until that happens, riders need to exercise caution riding along a brief segment of Valley Street before turning right onto Delaine Street.
• Delaine Street is largely residential, and connects with another segment along a busy roadway - this time Manton Avenue.
• Quickly riders bear left onto Aleppo Street to the start of the off-road trail. This area has a large, newly installed neighborhood playground and small boat launch for the river.
• The path runs parallel to Route 6 but is heavily vegetated, which minimizes road noise heard by path users. The path also connects to a footbridge that crosses over Route 6, which allows access to a large athletic complex and recreation area known as Merino Park.
• In a short distance, riders will notice a small golf course on the left. Button Hole Golf Course was a former dump that has been restored to a driving range and par-3 golf course, and runs numerous education programs for youth and adults. A spur path runs around the perimeter of the course.
• The path crosses Manton Avenue as it enters Johnston. Riders are offered glimpses of two large ponds that are actually segments of the Woonasquatucket River close to where the path ends at Lyman Avenue.

Directions to Parking Lots:

• Aleppo Street, Providence: From the north, take I-95 to the Route 6/10 Connector. At the split, stay on Route 6 and take the next exit for Plainfield St. Follow 0.2 miles to Olneyville Square, then turn left onto Manton Avenue. In 0.2 miles, bear left onto Aleppo Street to a small parking area and on-street parking at the bikeway. From the south, take Route 10 North to the Westminster Street exit. At the end of the ramp, turn left and follow to Olneyville Square. Continue on Manton Avenue and follow directions above. From the west, take Route 6 East to Route 10 North and exit onto Broadway. Follow to Olneyville Square and follow the directions above.
• Lyman Avenue, Johnston: Take I-95 or I-295 to Route 6. Take the Killingly Street exit and turn left (Route 6 East) or right (Route 6 West) onto Route 128 (Killingly Street) North. In 1.1 miles, bear left onto Greenville Avenue (continue following Route 128). After the intersection with Cherry Hill Road, take the third right onto Lyman Avenue. The parking lot is at the end of the road on the right.