Wilson Park

41° 34.681' N    71° 27.149' W   See this location in: Google Maps   Map Server   Acme Maps

This is a site for launching boats from trailers. Boat ramps can normally be used to launch canoes and kayaks but please do your best to keep the boat ramp clear for boat trailers.

Description & Overview:

See what others have said.

The boat ramp here is in fair condition and there is a good section of shoreline from which to launch hand carried boats. To launching easily-carried boats head for the marshy beach about 150 feet or so to the left (west) of the boat ramp, by the grassy area near the parking lot.

If the parking lot at the boat ramp is full there is more parking in a lot and field behind the primary lot.

Wickford Harbor is a convoluted cove with many coves and islands to explore in a kayak or other small boat making it a great place for kayaking. The waters are sheltered but boat traffic should be expected. Outside the breakwaters, Wickford Harbor opens up to the broad waters of Narragansett Bay, with Quonset Point to the north; and Rome Point, Bissel Cove, Fox Island and the Jamestown Bridge to the south. On most days the southwest wind fills in strongly in this area in the morning and blows briskly throughout the afternoon, producing strong waves once you are outside of the harbor, so be prepared for this when planning your trip.

On the nautical charts, the point the boat ramp is located on is identified as "Long Point."

This site provides access to the following water bodies: Wickford Harbor.

Location:

Alternate Site Name: Long Point, Mill Cove

Town: North Kingstown

Nearest Town Center: Wickford

Driving Landmarks: On Route 1 south, just before Wickford, you will pass a Rhode Island State Police Barracks on your right. In another 0.2 miles, turn right onto Intrepid Drive. There is a small sign for Wilson Park at this turn. Follow Intrepid Drive straight ahead to its end at the parking lot for the boat ramp. The boat ramp is at the east end of this parking lot, near a small gazebo.

Coming from the south on Route 1 north the turn onto Intrepid Drive is 0.2 miles after you pass the traffic light for West Main Street.

Access & Waters:

Water 'Features' At Site: estuary

Note: Because one boat launch can access, say, both a lake and a river or both the upstream and downstream portions of a river, not all paddling trips at a given site will necessarily encounter all of the features listed.

Type of Access: Boat ramp

ADA Accessible Boat Launch? no

Shoreline: Sandy/marshy shoreline and concrete boat ramp

Float/Dock: low float or dock

Approximate Length of Carry between Car Access and Water: 100 feet

Hours of Operation: sunrise to sunset, year round

Parking:

Parking: yes: 100 spaces, no overnight parking

ADA Accessible Parking Spaces? no

Nearby Amenities:

Public Restrooms: Yes, in the summer

Outfitter: The "Kayak Centre of Rhode Island," nearby at the corner of Brown and Phillips Streets, rents and sells kayaks and other paddling gear. See the outfitters list for more details.

Sources for More Information:

Other Guidebooks: Site 22 in Ed Mullen's book "Kayaking Narragansett Bay"

Website: Mike Krabach's kayak access website

Ecological, Cultural & Recreational Attractions:

Wilson Park is a town park with picnic tables, a playground, playing fields, basketball and tennis courts, and a short walking path that winds around Mill Cove.

Photographs:

The Boat Ramp and Dock

Photography by: Tom Richardson, New England Boating

Date of Photograph: October 11, 2011

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