Accessible fishing pier at state park slated to open in November

09:45 AM EDT on Thursday, October 21, 2004

BY SCOTT M. LOWE Jr.
Journal Environment Writer

Journal photo / Mary Murphy

A 51-foot-long covered bridge at the entrance to Lincoln Woods State park was formally dedicated yesterday. Plans for the bridge were created two years ago, and construction on the $700,000 project started last fall.

LINCOLN -- Visitors to Lincoln Woods State Park will have a pleasant surprise the next time they visit -- a newly completed covered bridge and fishing pier on Table Rock Road.

Officials from the Department of Environmental Management and the National Parks Service were on hand yesterday to formally dedicate the 51-foot-long bridge, located at the park entrance. Lincoln Town Administrator Sue Sheppard said she is delighted with the new structure, and that residents in Lincoln and beyond will enjoy it for years to come.

"It will be here long after we're gone, to be sure," she said. "The addition of this covered bridge and fishing platform will add to Great Road's charm and historic character."

Frederick Vincent, acting director of the DEM, said the previous bridge, which was built in 1939, had badly deteriorated over the years, and had become unsafe. Financing for the $700,000 project came from state recreational bond funds from a referendum passed in 2000, but the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund paid the lion's share, totaling $376,000.

"The state has been fortunate to get significant federal funding," Vincent said, noting the fund governed by the National Parks Service.

Sue Andrews, a ranger at the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, said the bridge is an example of a good state-federal partnership.

"This is an excellent facility," she said. "Covered bridges add to the character of state parks, and it has accessible fishing and access to the waterway."

The bridge was designed by Newport Collaborative Architects of Providence. Jay Litman, an associate of the firm, said plans were created two years ago, and construction started last fall. He said it felt special to help create such a naturally beautiful structure that adds to the landscape.

"DEM could have just put a 30-foot span over the water and been done with it," Litman said. "But they wanted to make a real entrance to the park."

The bridge is also fitted with a mosaic over the opening, which Litman said adds a touch of art to the project. After drawing up the design and specifications, the plans were sent to a company in Oregon, which actually built the components from giant timbers. The bridge was then disassembled and shipped here for reassembly.

Bob Sutton, DEM's chief of Planning and Development who supervised the construction, said the fishing pier will officially open on Nov. 15. He said that although there are no more bridges in need of renovation in Lincoln, some are slated for improvements in the Arcadia Wildlife Management Area.

"We wanted to do something consistent with the historical character of the neighborhood," he said, noting that the view and scenery create a beautiful setting.

After the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, the maiden drive over the bridge was made by a vintage 1963 Ford Falcon owned by a Gloucester resident, which DEM spokeswoman Gail Mastrati said added the perfect touch to kick off another 50 years.

Scott Lowe has a fellowship with the Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting. He can be reached at slowe [at] projo.com.