In late October, more than 30 people turned out for a day of repairing Blackstone Boulevard. Working near the entrance to Butler Hospital, Butler caregivers teamed up with the Blackstone Parks Conservancy (with vital help from the Parks Department) to give back to the boulevard after their long strike. The group built protective mulch rings around trees, spread loam for new grass seed, and raked the walking path back into shape. January 10 is your chance to explore the science of snow on a hike into the woods to look for signs of wild animals. Join the monthly Nature on the Move series with 15 Minute Field Trips, focusing on community action to protect wildlife, promote biodiversity, and combat climate change. Learn about local flora, fauna, and fungi through art and science activities, ideal for families or classroom use. Check out the informative displays, make a craft, and get moving as we explore Blackstone Park. The series is led by longtime collaborator Melissa Guillet, from 15 Minute Field Trips. Melissa has taught art for over 25 years and is an avid nature lover, involved in gardening, hiking, and collecting data as a citizen scientist. Meet at Blackstone Field, across from the Narragansett Boat Club (2 River Drive, Providence). Registration strongly recommended. Learn more at BlackstoneParksConservancy.org
The Summit Neighborhood Association (SNA) held its annual free neighborhood Fall Cook-off on Thursday, October 30, at India Restaurant. Despite the rain, some hardy neighbors entered their best squash dishes, which attendees voted on to win prizes from local merchants. Thanks to India Restaurant, Kreatelier, Stock Culinary Goods, Henry Bear’s Park, Rhody Craft, and Not Just Snacks for supporting this event! In contrast, we had beautiful weather on Saturday, November 1, when about 10 volunteers joined city parks employees to plant 17 more trees around the Summit and Mount Hope neighborhoods. This brings us to about 300 trees that SNA has helped plant in the community since 2021. In addition to planting trees, SNA also accesses neighborhood improvement grants from the city and state to support watering and care for newly planted trees in high-risk areas. We used these grant funds to hire Garden Time, which trains and employs formerly-incarcerated individuals, to deliver tree watering and care services. If you are interested in participating in the planting process or want to request trees, contact snaprov@gmail.com.
Do you have great ideas for improving the neighborhood? Do you have a passion project in mind with which you’d like help and support bringing to life? Are you looking to connect with others to work on grassroots projects? If any of these sparks your interest, come join us on the Summit Neighborhood Association Board! Joining the SNA board is a great way to get to know the neighborhood and your neighbors, while volunteering on excellent projects like food pantry support, tree planting, street improvements, park development, the Rochambeau Library outdoor classroom, and so much more. The SNA typically holds its monthly meetings at 7pm on the third Monday of the month, unless a holiday or other event requires changing this. SNA posts notices about its meetings on its Facebook page and other social media in the week prior to the meeting date. Meetings are open to the public, and everyone is welcome to attend. We hope to see you there! Contact snaprov@gmail.com to join the volunteer email list. We also send other volunteer opportunities, as they arise, to this list. – Submitted by Sharon Lee Waldman, president, Summit Neighborhood Association
More than 80 members and friends attended the annual meeting of the Mile of History Association at the Providence Art Club on Sunday, November 2. Those attending were delighted to hear Edward Biddle, chief financial officer of the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island, report on the exciting plans for restoring the Cathedral of St. John. Roz Rustigian did a great job organizing a delicious post-meeting supper. Members and friends of MoHA gathered together on Saturday, November 1, at the Gateway Garden. The small garden is in the triangle of land located at the north end of Benefit Street at the junction with Olney and North Main streets. The determined group of neighbors planted hundreds of daffodil and Glory-of-the-Snow bulbs in the garden and the large planters that control the flow of traffic. Look for the beautiful bloom next spring. Many thanks to Toby Ayers for organizing this event! – Submitted by Charles Hewitt.
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