World War II Veterans Memorial State Park

World War II Veterans Memorial State Park
Rhode Island State Park
Country  United States
State  Rhode Island
County Providence
City Woonsocket
Elevation 138 ft (42 m) [1]
Coordinates 42°00′31″N 71°30′37″W / 42.00861°N 71.51028°W / 42.00861; -71.51028Coordinates: 42°00′31″N 71°30′37″W / 42.00861°N 71.51028°W / 42.00861; -71.51028 [1]
Area 14 acres (6 ha)
Established 1960
Management Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Parks & Recreation
Location in Rhode Island
Website: World War II Veterans Memorial State Park

World War II Veterans Memorial State Park is a Rhode Island state park located in the city of Woonsocket.[2] The park occupies land known as the Social flatlands where textile mills operated along the banks of the Mill River until the early years of the 20th century. Since 1979, the park has hosted the three-day Autumnfest celebration held annually on Columbus Day Weekend.[3][4]

Redevelopment

In 2012, the city and state governments were embroiled in a controversy over who should take responsibility for future maintenance of the park. The director of the Department of Environmental Management announced that a $2.6 million plan to refurbish the park, which had fallen into a state of disrepair, would be put on hold until a long-term agreement regarding park maintenance and staffing could be reached with the city.[5] In 2014, the state legislature budgeted moneys for the park's redevelopment and maintenance over a five-year period beginning in 2015 with the aim of allowing "the state ... to turn the land over to the city so it can take charge of its maintenance."[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "State Park Beach". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. "World War II Veterans Memorial State Park". State of Rhode Island Division of Parks & Recreation. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  3. "World War II Veterans Memorial State Park History". State of Rhode Island Division of Parks & Recreation. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  4. Russell, Dave. "Autumnfest Reflections". Autumnfest Committee. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  5. Olivo, Russ (October 12, 2012). "WWII Park renovation plans on hold". The Call. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  6. "World War II park, Woonsocket schools receive aid in House-approved FY2015 budget" (Press release). State of Rhode Island General Assembly. June 13, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
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