Rocky Point is site for DEM’s Great Outdoors Pursuit July 26

Greg Maynard
Posted 6/30/15

Rocky Point is not what it once was, but the former amusement park in Warwick has a good thing going in its new chapter as a Rhode Island state park. Rocky Point is one of four sites in the Rhode …

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Rocky Point is site for DEM’s Great Outdoors Pursuit July 26

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Rocky Point is not what it once was, but the former amusement park in Warwick has a good thing going in its new chapter as a Rhode Island state park. Rocky Point is one of four sites in the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s eighth annual Great Outdoors Pursuit.

The pursuit, which kicked off June 13 at Lincoln Woods State Park, aims at uniting families with nature and educating people on environmental topics.

“The whole goal is to get people to be more active and reconnected with the outdoors,” said Program Services Officer Terri Bisson.

Though the activities for Rocky Point are not finalized, Bisson said the DEM plans to organize for salt-water fishing, a rock wall provided by the National Guard and a scavenger hunt in which families and teams will work together to identify where various park monuments and amusements were once located.

Clues would lead families and teams to items located where the Flume, House of Horrors and other attractions used to be. This would give participants the opportunity to revisit memories and, in turn, share interactive quality time with their children.

Bisson noted how the scavenger hunt should be an exciting opportunity for parents who remember the park in its heyday and relay those fond memories to their children.

Event organizers are also hoping to offer mini-golf as a potential activity.

Of course, all are encouraged to simply appreciate the sights around them by walking or bicycling the path that travels throughout the park.

Camping equipment donated by Coleman and other prizes, including children’s bikes, beach passes and fishing equipment, will be raffled off to participants.

Support for the project comes from a variety of sponsors including UnitedHealthcare, Fort Adams Trust, Verizon FIOS, Clivus New England, and others.

The Great Outdoors Pursuit comes to Rocky Point Sunday, July 26, and will last from 11 to 3 p.m. Bisson noted that around 250 teams and families have registered this year already. In the past, however, only about 40-60 percent of those registered actually attend.

“It depends on the weather,” Bisson said.

There may be additional parking available near the back of the park should it be required.

Before arriving at Rocky Point, the Great Outdoors Pursuit will hold their second installment this summer at Champlin Scout Reservation in Cranston on July 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. On August 8, a grand finale is scheduled at Burlingame State Park in Charlestown. Those interested can register for free at www.riparks.com or at the event.

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