Parks Department
ADMINISTRATION AND PARTNERSHIPS
Good cities nurture and nourish their parks. The Providence Parks Department is fortunate to have a large network of support that includes city government, state government, and private organizations.
The Parks Department falls directly under the purview of the city's Department of Operations and works closely with that department to work effectively in city government. The City Council provides a budget for the Parks Department, capital funding assistance in renovating and developing parks, and connections to community and neighborhood groups interested in parks. Appointed by the Mayor and the City Council, the seven member Board of Park Commissioners meets regularly to make policy, to review Department operations, and to enter into leases and agreements. The Superintendent of Parks oversees the daily operation and programs of the entire Department. The Superintendent's staff, which is located in the Boathouse at Roger Williams Park, implements policy, develops park renovation plans, manages park design and construction contractors, oversees the maintenance and programming divisions in the Parks Department, oversees leases and agreements, and manages the fiscal and personnel operations for the Department.
The Parks Department collaborates closely with the city,s Recreation Department which is responsible for operating and programming ten recreation centers in Providence and which operates the city,s pools and water parks in the summer. With the recent creation of the city,s Department of Art, Culture & Tourism, the Parks Department will be working with this agency to increase artistic and cultural programming in the city's parks.
Providence parks enjoy capital support from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) which administers the state program of grants to acquire and renovate open space and parks. DEM funds have played a critical role in renovating parks in Providence low income neighborhoods and in renovations to Roger Williams Park. Collaboration with community and neighborhood groups is a critical part of the Parks Department ability to operate the park system. Significant partners include the Rhode Island Zoological Society, the Blackstone Park Conservancy, Capitol Arts, the Woonasquatucket Watershed Association, the Friends of India Point Park, the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, and Groundwork Providence.
PARKS DEPARTMENT KEY PHONE NUMBERS
Superintendents Office 785-9450
Forestry Division 785-9450, ext. 270
North Burial Ground 331-0177
Park Maintenance Division 785-9450, ext. 230
Roger Williams Park Casino 785-9450, ext. 240
Roger Williams Park Museum & Planetarium 785-9450, ext. 221
Roger Williams Park Zoo 785-3510
Triggs Memorial Golf Course 521-8460
