The Wood River Kayaking & Canoeing Guide

This post will concentrate on kayaking or canoeing Wood River from Arcadia Management Area on route 165 in Exeter to Barberville Dam. This area has a class 1 and class 11 stream rating according to Rhode Island Division of Parks and Recreation.

River

Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Parking is available at the Deer Check station located on route 165. Restroom facilities are located there also. A second vehicle can be parked at The Wood Pawtucket Watershed Association located 203 B Arcadia Road, Hope Valley RI 02832.

This trip may take 3 hours, depending on how busy it is and how high the river is.

From the Deer Check Station the river winds through Arcadia Management Area. From route 165 the river runs parallel to Summit Road and Blitzkrieg Trail. Here the river is narrower and runs slightly shallower and faster than it dos near the Barberville Dam.

The river begins to open at Frying Pan Pond. Here some houses are spread along the banks. On sunny days snapping turtles can be seen in the shallows and dry areas sunning themselves. Otters have been spotted occasionally too. This part of the river is home to trout, bass, sunfish and pickerel. Wood Turtles have been spotted along the banks.

Great Blue Heron

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The pond ends at the dam with The Wood-Pawtucket Watershed Association on the right. There is a dock in front and a place to take-out. There is also a parking lot and portable restroom facilities.

Fishing on River

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The Wood River winds through amazing scenery and is home to many animals and plants. It can be a fun outdoor activity for the whole family.

For up to date river reports and conditions visit wpa.org

*Please note that 1 life vest is required for each person.

3 Grants For Southern Rhode Island Trails

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) and Rhode Island Trails Advisory Committee have awarded grants for 3 southern RI trail improvements. RI received $1,524,725 in grant monies in total for 28 different projects from federal transportation funds.

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

The purpose of the funding is to provide grants that may be used to create new recreational trials, as well as fix and improve existing trails for hikers and other recreational users. Following the enactment of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, funds for trail projects were set aside.

RI Governor Lincoln Chafee said, “we are pleased to present these federal grants that will enhance and improve hiking paths and walking trails in communities across the state. Rhode Island's numerous recreational trails are heavily used by the public and perfect places to take a walk or just enjoy nature in a peaceful, relaxing setting.”

According to RIDEM the 3 local trail projects are:

1.   Westerly Land Trust- Aguntaug Swamp $85,000 to extend the Westerly Land Trust’s trail system by providing ADA access to 1,000 feet of new trail and 700 feet of elevated walkway into Aguntaug Bog in Westerly.

2.   Hopkinton Land Trust- Tomaquag Trail - $95,000 to install a bridge over Tomaquag Brook to complete the southern section of Tomaquag Trail, connecting 2-3 miles of trails in Hopkinton to 5 miles of trails in Grills Preserve in Westerly.

3.   Appalachian Mountain Club- Mount Tom Trail - $100,000 to install a bridge over Wood River in Exeter to allow hikers to avoid using Route 165 to cross. Project consists of site preparation and installation of a prefabricated bridge.

Mountain Bike Report: Shelter Trail Arcadia State Park

As anyone who has walked, fished or mountain biked in Arcadia can tell you, there are numerous trails. The trail report was set up with the intent of taking about an hour to complete. It is not the fastest way to get to any spot or trail. It is set up to offer a variety of riding footings, technical aspects and inclines.

Begin by parking at the West Exeter Church. Running parallel to route 165 is a trail. It has a rusty metal bar at the beginning. Ride down the steep hill to the Midway parking area. From there go right onto the dirt road called Midway Railroad. This dirt road is open to vehicles. Ride over a bridge whose stream feeds Wood River. The road opens up to another parking area, stay on Midway Railroad and ride down the main dirt road.

Shelter Trail Map

Photo Courtesy Google Maps

There is another block there to stop vehicles from entering. Midway is sand, grass and in some areas deep sand. It has sloping hills, gradual inclines and open fields. Through the fields the footing is packed and can be ridden very fast. It can be hot to ride this trail in the summer since it is fairly open to the sun. In early September the milkweed growing in the fields attracts monarch butterflies.

Midway opens up into a dog training area with a pavilion and parking area. From the end of Midway take a left onto Plain Road. This road is open to vehicles. Ride up the hill and take the first right onto a shelter trail. The trail is open and was an old road.

Take the second right and climb a small hill to the old stone fireplace and foundations. This is a great area to stop and explore. Use caution since the ground is littered with broken glass.

Stone Fireplace

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Continue on the Shelter Trail and pass some old cabins and shelters. The trail comes to the top of a hill, here someone has built steps going down the hill. This hill is a hidden gem and a technical surprise out in the woods. Then turn around push the bike back up the hill and ride it again.

Hill with Steps

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

From here continue down the main trail. Eventually it forks. Left, ends at a small creek that is the border with Camp E-Hun-Tee. There is an old bridge to explore. Right continues on the Shelter Trail to Plain Road.

Old Bridge

Photo Courtesy Rebecca Crosby All Rights Reserved

Take a left on Plain Road and ride up a long hill. At the top take a right and continue on another Shelter Trail. This trail goes through hardwoods and pine woods and offers small inclines, mud and grass footing.

The Shelter Trail ends on Frosty Hollow Road near Frosty Hollow Pond. Take a right on Frosty Hollow Road and ride to the end at the church parking area.

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.