Three Warwick nonprofits are among 45 organizations statewide that will share $356,000 in grants from the Rhode Island Foundation to fund neighborhood-based projects. The work will range from supporting outdoor activities at the Warwick Public Library to expanding the Pontiac neighborhood playground.

 “These awards will create places to come together, make friendships and launch new relationships that will build community connections all over our state,” Neil D. Steinberg, president and CEO said in a release. “These are exciting concepts for inspiring community by the community in the community. Supporting work that improves shared places and quality of life, promotes collaboration and increases community engagement will benefit us all.”

 The Pontiac Village Association in Warwick received $8,405 to improve and expand the playground located at Pontiac Village Park. The newly renovated area is designed to be safe and appealing to children under the age of 6.

"The new section will include a child-safe surface and equipment which is lower to the ground and therefore safer for younger and smaller children,” said Association President Patricia Picinich,  “The new apparatus, which has already been purchased, is filled with activities designed to encourage the physical and social development of younger children. It includes both climbing and sliding equipment as well as activity panels to stimulate cognitive development.”

The existing playground equipment, which was purchased 10 years ago through the efforts of the Association, is designed for older children. Because the COVID-19 pandemic has curtailed many activities available to children, the Association believes the expansion of the playground to be even more important.

 “Although the large slide, swings and climbing bars are safe and interesting to children from 6 to 10 and above, they can be intimidating to younger children. We wanted to provide something welcoming to our families with younger children," said Picinich.

The Rocky Point Foundation received $4,500 to create a series of neighborhood mini-documentaries. In addition to posting the videos on the Warwick Beacon’s website, the Foundation will make the videos available to neighborhood associations, the city, and to neighborhood residents and businesses at no charge. 

 “Neighborhood associations could post these videos on their website and on their social media. People from out of state and thinking of moving to Rhode Island could get a snippet of the city's neighborhoods. Each video would be five to six minutes, the sort of thing you'd watch on your smartphone, share with a friend or pass along to the kids who may have moved out of state,” said John Howell, president of the Foundation.

 “The videos would be neighborhood shout outs with scenic shots, comments from members of the community and photos from unique events such as the St. Rita Church festival in Oakland Beach, the Rocky Point 5K, Gaspee Days parade and the Halloween spooktacular in Conimicut. We'd blend in some history as well. We're looking for the videos to be used by neighborhood businesses. Realtors could make them available on their sites. Small businesses that make up a good portion of these neighborhoods - landscapers, contractors, plumbers, auto mechanics, restaurants, gift shops, and salons - could link them to their sites,” he said.

The Warwick Public Library received $10,000 for two StoryWalk installations in the community. Each StoryWalk will contain a full picture book story with interactive prompts. The library is working with the Warwick Department of Parks and Recreation to install a StoryWalk in City Park and in the Library Garden.

 “The magic of a StoryWalk is that it combines reading, experiencing nature, exercise and family time. These are all activities that are essential to the development of young children,” said Ellen O’Brien, children services librarian.

 Other area organizations that received grants include St. Luke’s Community Kitchen in East Greenwich, the Narrow River Preservation Association in Saunderstown and the Autism Project in Johnston. The maximum grant was $10,000. Since 2016, the Foundation’s Community Grant program has awarded nearly $1.9 million in grants for projects in every city and town in Rhode Island.