The Point is the place to catch fish, launch a canoe, watch for the tankers coming up the bay, enjoy the summer breeze, take a dip, read a book, play on the swings, walk your dog, pick up shells and sea glass, fly a kite, talk politics, sip coffee while enjoying the view from your car and, yes, even get interviewed by a student from the Department of Marine Affairs URI Coastal Institute.

Talya ten Brink was conducting surveys Sunday, a challenge given the steady wind that kept papers on her clipboard flying. But people were excited to take part in a research project aimed at investigating coastal uses of Narragansett Bay and what they think of coastal conditions. Talya focused her attention on Rocky Point and Conimicut Point. She was interested in learning how far people had come to the two parks, how long they had been coming, how they rated the cleanliness of the grounds and the water and what sort of activities they enjoyed at the parks. As part of her own personal research, Talya is also interested in learning about the fishing at the two parks.

She didn’t need to go far to get answers. The Conimicut Point parking lot was full Sunday afternoon. Families gathered in the shade of the pines in the park center, stretched out in lawn chairs, playing catch and barbecuing, a couple set on the furthest point bench looking out at the lighthouse. On the north beach people fished; on the south beach they swam.

Ted Floskis was one of the many to take the survey. He is a frequent park visitor. He finds is beautiful and rated it as clean. He is especially pleased that by executive order Mayor Joseph Solomon chose not to bring back beach fees this year. He said it didn’t work before and, as it is the city does a good job of keeping the park clean.

In a way Talya didn’t need a survey to tell her what people thought of the park. The answer was obvious. The Point was filled by people enjoying being outdoors and, yes, telling others they love the place.