|
9.17.2000
Paddlers hope to promote Blackstone's
many charms
It's rare to find canoes or kayaks on the Blackstone River, especially
on a weekday.
But from Wednesday through Saturday, a convoy of paddlers will be on the
river. In a program called the Blackstone River Expedition, community
and government officials will travel downstream from Worcester to Providence,
hosting programs along the way.
"We wanted to find a way to bring attention to the river and we decided
one way would be to canoe the entire river," explained Charles Arning,
a National Parks Service ranger with the John H. Chafee Blackstone River
National Heritage Corridor.
A group of about 30 people will paddle long stretches of the river. They
will be joined for shorter stretches by other paddlers. Anyone with a
canoe or kayak is also invited to bring along a lunch and join a portion
of the trip, Arning said.
The trip begins Wednesday at 8 a.m. at the D.B. Riley Corp. parking lot
at 45 McKeon St., Worcester. During breaks along the river there will
be programs on issues such as tourism, recreational opportunities, and
economic development.
Further information about the expedition can be obtained by calling the
Blackstone Heritage Corridor office at 762-0250.
Here is a list of the Rhode Island events:
Friday
9:30 a.m. : Discussions on Market Square revitalization in Woonsocket
and environmental education for teachers. River Island Park, Woonsocket.
11 a.m.: "Landings, Parks and Portages-Creating a Comprehensive
River Access Program." Manville Landing, Cumberland.
2:30 p.m.: Three Programs -- "The Power of One - Cleaning up the
Blackstone River," "The Role of Business and the River" and "Regional
Connections," all at the Blackstone River Bikeway Pratt Dam entrance,
Lincoln.
6 p.m.: Family campfire programs of music and storytelling, Berkley
Oval - Hope Webbing Corp., Martin Street, Cumberland.
Saturday
9:30 a.m.: "From a Sea of Asphalt to Restored Marshlands," Lonsdale
Drive-In, Route 123, John Street, Lincoln.
10:30 a.m.: "Revitalizing Urban Waterfronts," Central Falls Landing,
Central Falls.
12:30 p.m.: "Returning Migratory Fish to the Blackstone," Slater
Mill, Pawtucket.
4 p.m.: Closing event, Waterplace Park, Providence.
-- By Bob Wyss
|
