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Blackstone River Access Blackstone River Access and Volunteer and Volunteer
Stewardship UpdatesStewardship Updates
November 16, 2011November 16, 2011
Annual Clean-ups• Two annual events – Earth Day (April) and Make
a Difference/Park Serve Day (October)
• Each event attracts over 100 volunteers and targets five to eight sites
NIP – No Invasive Plants
• Hands on training to engage locals in identification and management of invasive aquatic plants
• Partnership with DCR / River Bend Farm to remove water chestnut plants from Rice City Pond– Pull the Plants Party – Two events removed move than 20
cubic yards of plant material!
• Promote and protect recreational use of the River
• Work done as a JHCBRVNHCC, BRWC and BRWA Partnership
• The Blackstone is now a popular destination for canoeing and kayaking
Goal of The River Access Goal of The River Access ProgramProgram
• Increase Use of the River by boaters has resulted in degradation of access and portage sites
• BRWA and BRWC are working with JHCBRVNHCC to restore and protect these sites for use in the future.
The River’s Popularity Has The River’s Popularity Has Caused Some Problems Caused Some Problems
River Access SitesPhase I / MassachusettsBlackstone River Watershed Association &MASS Dept of Conservation and Recreation
NorthbridgePlummer’s Landing (Completed in 2011)Riverdale Mills (completed 2006)
MillvilleMillville Lock (In Construction)
UxbridgeHartford Avenue (Completed in 2011)Stanley Woolen Portage (completed in 2006)Route 16 (completed in 2009Route 122 (completed in 2009)
BlackstoneBlackstone Gorge (completed in 2008)
• Sections of the River can be paddled in Spring time and in times of high water in Millbury, Sutton and Grafton
• Providence Street in Millbury by Goretti’s Supermarket is a good starting point
• Access and Singing Dam portage completed with the construction of Tricentenial Park in Sutton
Upper Sections of the Upper Sections of the BlackstoneBlackstone
Most Massachusetts work has been done at sites in Northbridge, Uxbridge and Blackstone
Massachusetts Massachusetts Improvement Work Improvement Work
CompletedCompleted
Stanley Woolen MillsStanley Woolen MillsRoute 16 - UxbridgeRoute 16 - Uxbridge
Access SiteAccess Site
Before Completed
Skull Rock Lock SiteRoute 122, Uxbridge
Before Completed
Blackstone GorgeBlackstone
Before Completed
Current River Access Projects
• East Hartford Ave, Uxbridge
• Plummer’s Landing, Northbridge
• Millville Lock, Millville
• Signage needed at several locations• The National Grid Dam in Sutton has no
portage path• Fisherville Dam in Grafton has no Portage
Path– Road access at Route 122a below the dam
• Depot Street dam has no portage path and property is sometimes gated– Dam deteriorating with each major storm
Some Remaining IssuesSome Remaining Issues
Questions and Discussion
Access and Portages in Rhode Island
• Access and portage sites exist at– Cole Spring Park, Woonsocket– River Island Park, Woonsocket– Rivers Edge Recreational Complex Woonsocket– Manville Dam, Cumberland– Albion Dam. Lincoln– Kelly House, Ashton Dam, Cumberland/Lincoln– Pratt Dam Portage, Lincoln/Cumberland– Lonsdale Drive-in site in Lincoln– Madera Street, Pawtucket
Recent Access Improvements in Rhode Island
• Lonsdale Drive-in– Steps and pathway to River completed in 2009
• Kelly House– Granite steps installed by museum in June 2010
• Albion Dam Portage– Granite steps installed in August 2010
• Sycamore Landing at Manville Dam– Site established
– Plans to expand parking area
Lonsdale Drive-in Site
In Construction
Completed
Albion Site
Before Completed
Completed Kelly House Site
Future Access Improvements in Rhode Island
• Develop consistent signage for these sites and other sites along the River
Questions and Discussion