Getting out: Three scenic miles at Warwick City Park

By DON FOWLER
Posted 7/16/20

On your left is the water; on your right is an old-growth forest. Along the way are ball fields and a sandy beach. Warwick City Park is the perfect place to spend a few hours, a chance to get away from it all. Located at the end of Asylum

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Getting out: Three scenic miles at Warwick City Park

Posted

On your left is the water; on your right is an old-growth forest.

Along the way are ball fields and a sandy beach.

Warwick City Park is the perfect place to spend a few hours, a chance to get away from it all.

Located at the end of Asylum Road in Warwick’s Buttonwoods section, it is an oasis in the middle of a residential community.

I travel south on Warwick Avenue, to Sandy Lane, turn left at the light on White Street, left on Keely, and left on Asylum to the parking lot.

The three-mile, one-way, macadam trail has a faded white line down the middle telling walkers to stay left and bikers to stay right.

The winding trail takes you immediately into another world, following marshland that melds into Brushneck Cove and eventually a sandy beach.

Plaques identify 25 species of trees, from Ash to White Pine, an interesting mixture of deciduous and conifers. The three-mile, slightly graded trail has benches to rest and a trash barrel every half-mile.

I was impressed with the cleanliness, noticing only one mask and a raisin box along the way.

Hikers, walkers, runners, dog walkers, bikers, inline skaters, and mothers pushing baby carriages shared the paths, a few choosing to go in the wrong direction. Knowledgeable bikers would warn with a simple “on the right” and everyone social distanced.

Herons and gulls shared the cove, while squirrels and rabbits darted across the path.

Just about halfway through your journey you will come upon the beach, a perfect place to stop and rest and watch the kids playing in the sand and water. Like at Rocky Point, you can count on a Del’s truck to quench your thirst.

Cross the parking lot and road and continue on the loop trail, circling the ball fields – which were unfortunately empty this summer – and the dog park where off-leash is allowed.

I stopped to rest on a bench dedicated to Jack Fay at the two-mile marker. Jack was a lover and frequent walker of the trail until his untimely passing.

The path is about 95 percent in the shade, so you don’t need sunglasses. I would say you don’t need sunscreen, but Dr. Frankel would scold me. I didn’t notice any bugs, but I guess that could change. Wear a comfortable pair of shoes. Macadam is tougher on the feet than a natural path. And bring a bottle of water and a power bar, especially if you are a diabetic.

I only saw one person walking and talking on the phone. Keep it in your pocket and enjoy the wonders of nature.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here