Westerly Beach Pass Information

The sound of crashing waves the feel of warm sand beneath your feet and the taste of salt on your skin. It is time for southern RI beaches to officially open.

Photo Courtesy Julie Cardinal Misquamicut Beach Association

All Rights Reserved

Westerly is kicking off opening day with Misquamicut Springfest 2013. Springfest is a 2- day event featuring live music, fireworks, entertainment and rides.  Springfest is open to the public.

Parking for the festival is free and children under 4 are free. Admission costs $7 per person. For more information on Springfest visit the Springfest web site, Misquamicutfestival.org

However, the rest of the summer, May 10th through Labor Day patrons of Westerly beaches will be required to have either a seasonal pass or day pass.

Town Beach of Misquamicut:

§ Open from 9-6 on weekdays
§ Open from 8:30-6 weekends
§ Only available to season pass holders who are Westerly residents or Westerly business owners
§ No day passes
§ Provide vehicle registration and license proving that you are a resident at the Westerly Town Hall on Broad Street, no longer accepting season pass requests at the beach
§ Provide proof of residential or Business ownership with past years tax bill in applicant’s name or copy of lease
§ If you do not drive or do not have an identification card, applicant must provide copy of utility bill in the applicant’s name
§ The fee of $60 to residents provides them with 1 sticker only
§ $35 for extra sticker
§ $35 per pass for seniors, active duty and disabled military personnel
§ Registration can be printed from Westerly Town Hall web site or filled out at the town hall, can be printed form Town Hall web site and mailed in.

Wuskenau:

§ Open to general public.
§ Open 9-6 weekdays,
§ 8:30 to 6 weekends
§ Cottage pass, transferable from renters and can be purchased at the beach for $150
§ $70 for season pass
§ Day Pass is variable from $10 to $20 depending on the day of the week and holiday’s
§ Registration can be printed from Westerly Town Hall web site or filled out at the town hall, can be printed form Town Hall web site and mailed in.

 

Mail in Pass Information

Please provide the following items:

Copy of applicant’s Driver’s License

Copy of the Registration of the car you will use

A self-addressed stamped envelope

Signed copy of the Beach Contract

 

TOWN HALL/Tax Collector’s Office

45 Broad St.

Westerly, RI 02891

 

westerlytownbeachri@gmail.com

 

401 315 5642 – Beach Hotline, note it never connects to an actual person.

Black Farm Management Area: A History of Owners

Black Farm Management Area in Hopkinton, RI incorporates over 200 years of New England agricultural history. Today, hikers, hunters and trail riders enjoy rambling through the scenic trails; however, 150 years ago it was a growing, working and changing farm much like many farms in and around southern RI.

 

To the north of the farm house is a cemetery. It contains 20 headstones of slate and granite, many bearing the names of former owners and occupants. Included in the cemetery are former owners Isaac and Mary Collins and their children.

 

 Collins Cemetery at Black Farm

Photo Peter Mair II of Wilbur Smith & Associates

 

In 1710, a Quaker named John Collins from Westerly, along with 6 other persons purchased 3,000 acres of undeveloped land in what is now known as Hopkinton. John Collins’ share of the purchase was 450 acres that ran along Wood River.

 

Upon John Collins’ death his several sons inherited his land.  His grandson, Nathan Collins inherited a 46 acre parcel. It was here that he and his wife Tabatha erected the first dwelling on what is now considered Black Farm.

 

In 1817 Nathan Collins sold the property to his cousin Isaac for $450. Isaac and his wife Mary were to become the predominant owners of the farm who used it for agricultural purposes. They are also buried on the property in the Collins Cemetery.

 

Isaac was a local doctor who practiced in Richmond, RI. He and his wife Mary had 13 children. It is during this time historians believe the ell was added to the main farmhouse to accommodate the large family.

 

Black Farm Farmhouse with Ell 

Photo Roberta Randall of RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission

 

Isaac Collins increased his holdings by purchasing adjacent parcels. At the time of his death in 1841, the farm had been increased to 197 acres; 182 acres in pasture, cultivation, and orchard, and 15 acres of wood lot. Isaac also built a corn-crib and one-and-one-half story barn.

 

Isaac Collins’ son, Thomas inherited one-third of his father’s land and purchased another third from his brother. He increased the farm size to 200 acres, but a large portion was left unfarmed. It was during this period that many local farms were decreasing in size as cereal crops were declining in the east, and growing rapidly in the west. Thomas concentrated his efforts on milk production, wool and gardening to supplement his decline in cereal crops.

 

Upon Thomas’ death in 1896 the farm was almost exclusively used for lumber. He willed his estate to a cousin, James H. Collins. Thomas raised James and gave him a home. A year after receiving the estate James Collins sold the property to Peter D. Palmer, a Hopkinton attorney, for $10.00.

 

Soon the property was sold back to the Collins family when John Collins purchased it and continued the lumber operations.

 

After WWII, the property was farmed and occupied on a seasonal basis. A barn from an adjacent farm was moved onto the property and the home and outbuildings were kept in good repair. 1200 feet to the north of the farmhouse is the foundation of a building said to have been used as an ice house. The ice was harvested from Plain Pond. Plain Pond is a naturally occurring kettle pond on the property.

 

 Black Farm Outbuildings Including Chicken Coop, Barn & Playhouse

Photo Roberta Randall of RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission

 

In 1956, John Collins’ son, Arthur Collins sold the property to local poultry farmers Joseph and Anna Russo.

 

The property was acquired in 1964 by Mrs. Margaret McCormack Black. The Blacks sold the farm to the state of Rhode Island in 1991 to be used as open space. The remaining farmhouse and outbuildings were set aside for private ownership and have since been restored.

 

Beneath the surface beauty of the Black Farm management area lies 200 years of southern RI agricultural history. Enjoy the trails and explore the old foundations that dot the woods throughout the area. Take in the kettle pond and imagine it being harvested for ice during cold winter days. Black Farm offers a unique RI experience that incorporates local history with modern recreation. Explore and experience all that Black Farm has to offer.
Photo courtesy Google Maps

Hiking and Trail Riding at Black Farm Management Area in Hopkinton Rhode Island

Black Farm is a unique gem in Hopkinton RI. It encompasses the desires of the modern hiker or trail rider along with over 200 years of southern RI farm history. It is rich in natural splendor and the sounds of native wildlife.

Black Farm is approximately 245 acres of state land located on the east side of Woodville Alton Road. There is a parking lot directly off Woodville Alton that allows access to the trails that intertwine the acreage.

The land borders Sweet Valley Estates, an abandoned railroad trestle, 2 miles of Wood River, Woodville Alton Road and private property. It was set aside in 1995 as state land. Walking, hiking, trail riding, hunting and dog training are all permitted in this area.

It contains mixed forests of evergreens and hardwoods, oaks maples, white pine and pitch pine. It is home to various species of native animals including, otters, raccoons, and all kinds of waterfowl. The unique mix of fields, swamps and the river system makes for a diverse ecosystem.

Blue dragonflies dotting Plain Pond

The land includes a kettle pond, called Plain Pond. It is a shallow, naturally occurring kettle pond. It is a great place to bring the dog for a swim as the bottom is mostly sand, not mud. This is a convenience for those who want to take the dog for a walk but don’t want mucky puppies in the car.

The land is also interspersed with small streams that feed the swamps and eventually Wood River. There are small walking bridges over each stream enabling the hiker to keep their feet dry.

After visiting the pond walk along the abandoned railroad trestle to the pillars on Wood River. This is where the train crossed the river at one time. It is a great spot to stop, have a snack or view the river.

There is also a historic cemetery that includes members of each owner’s family dating back to 1755.

Most of the trails are old roads and trestles so they are fairly wide and easy to walk. There are a few hills, but nothing strenuous.

The parking area is fairly small, but will accommodate most horse trailers. The footing is mixed sand and hardwoods. The bridges are NOT horse safe. Expect to wade through the few streams. The trails are mainly used by hikers and have low hanging limbs. Around the pond the trails widen and are perfect for cantering. Along the river there is a cleared field and sandy trail that are great for working a horse while enjoying the view of Wood River.

Take the family, the dog or horse and treat yourself to a unique walk through Black Farm.

To find out more about the history behind Black Farm including its owners and historical importance read my next post on Friday April 19th.