Trails for ArtVenture 2015
Trails for ArtVenture 2015
This is a self-guided experience but all trails will have some pink trail signs. Art will never be buried or hidden more than ~3 feet off the trail, but you will need to look high, medium, and low. Look for unique natural features, as this might be where items will be hidden! We won’t hide in poison ivy but please dress for hiking, long pants encouraged, and wear mosquito and tick spray. We will be hiding art at least 3 times during the 16 day ArtVenture. A picture of the art that cannot withstand the elements will be hidden in a clear jar. The actual art can be picked up at the ‘Meet your Artist’ reception, Aug. 5, 7-9 pm, Wickford Art Association, 36 Beach St. Please RSVP for the reception nancy.sherman52@gmail.com
Please post your experiences/finds/pictures at www.nkartscouncil.org
Please respect the trails and property. Why not also make it a “TrashVenture” and bring a small garbage bag for any trash?
Charlotte’s (Julie’s) Web: Julie Kennedy has made 7 webs out of recylcled wire. Each web has a word written in it that you’re invited to contemplate. At this site we’ll have containers with journals, wire to make your own creation to add to the web, art paper, pencils, crayons, markers, and chalk. So, this art stays put with the art supplies!! Thanks in advance!
1. Blue Beach:
In Quonset, follow signs for the fast ferry to Martha’s Vineyard on Roger Williams Way, take a right onto Circuit Drive and follow the signs“Blue Beach used to have a hidden, swampy path lined with poison ivy as its only access by land. Today, the parking area –– with a bike rack and 10 parking spaces –– is well marked, and the mucky path has been replaced by a hard-packed gravel trail, smooth enough for a stroller or a wheelchair. Beach goers and lunchtime walkers have a lovely view of the West Passage and Wickford’s waterfront. Blue Beach is off Circuit Drive. Not a licensed swimming facility.” Has a porta potty in the parking lot.
2. Bush Hill
Entrance is the dirt driveway next to the Grateful Heart, 17 W. Main St.This is a hidden gem right in Wickford Village! “The trail at Bush Hill Nature Reserve is a very easy stroll accessible from Wickford Village. The reserve is a good place for bird watching and there are great views of the salt marsh. The land was once part of the extensive Spink family farm. It was donated to the
Land Conservancy of North Kingstown by the de Guzman family in memory of Adelaide Dawson Lynch (1917-1992) who loved Wickford, this land, and its wildlife.There is an esker (geological feature) that you hike along, looking into Bush Hill Pond. (very overgrown now) This pone was used as a source of ice and skating in historic times.”
3. Calf Pasture Point/Davisville Bike Path:
Access this path by going down Davisville Rd. (Quonset), past 1 car import lot, and turning left onto Marine Drive. Most of the art will be hidden on the bike path from Marine Drive down to Narragansett bay, Mt. view. We will hide some art along the beach and wooded area. We’ll post some signs. (This is the longest hike.)“Former site of a Seabee school for heavy equipment operators, now a de facto nature preserve with a long, wide beach on Narragansett Bay. Great
walking and biking. Primary foot and bike access from parking lot at the end of Marine Rd. (Off Davisville) Access by boat, with nearest launch site at Allen Harbor.” There is a porta potty in the parking lot.
4. Davisville Middle School/ McGinn Park:
(200 School St.) McGinn Park is home to basketball, tennis, baseball and soccer fields, but
behind the school and fields are some nice hiking trails. You can park behind the school or in the park’s lot.
5. HistWick Walking Tour:
Historic Wickford has a fabulous walking tour online. Please go to http://historicwickford.org to access their tour. NO ART WILL BE HIDDEN ON PRIVATE PROPERTY!! HistWick
members will be hiding 1-2 pieces daily. Some things you won’t want to miss: The Hussey Bridge, Library Park, the Town Dock(s), Updike Park, St. Paul’s Greeneway, the Old Narragansett Church, and the end of Main. Of course you won’t want to miss Pleasant and Friend St., Gold, Washington, and Fowler!
6/7. Ryan Park:
We’re actually hiding art at 2 separate hiking areas. “This is a jewel in the crown of North Kingstown’s recreational facilities. There are extensive walking trails, numerous ball fields, and North Kingstown Town Forest, boat ramp access to fishing on Belleville Pond (Possibly the prettiest site in town-no motors allowed) and much more.” Also the site of that beautiful arched bridge we’ve used in our poster.
1) Oak Hill Road-Go down towards the boat ramp for the trail head. This hike around Belleville is a little over a mile.
2) Lafayette Road access. The wide open trail goes all the way to Oak Hill Road. There are also some sweet trails off to the north.
.
8. Smith’s Castle:
built in 1678, is a house museum at 55 Richard Smith Drive, near Wickford, a village in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Smith's Castle is one of the oldest houses in the state. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1993 as Cocumscussoc Archeological Site, due to the artifacts and information digs in the vicinity have yielded. It is
located just off U.S. Art will be hidden daily on the days the castle are open. Why not combine your ArtVenture with a tour of the house and grounds?? Please check in at the office for their parameters. Guided House ToursDocents in period clothing provide interpretive tours of the house at noon, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.— Thursdays through Sundays in June, July, and August. Admission An admission of $8 for adults and $4 for children 6 to 12 is charged to tour the house. There is a $2 discount for active military personnel with ID and seniors 65 and older. There is no fee to visit the gardens and grounds. Children under 6 and members are admitted FREE. Inquire as to rates for special events, school tours, and facility rentals.Please call 401 294-3521 with any questions.
9. Wilson Park Bike Path:
West Main St., across from Centreville Bank. Art will be hidden on the bike path primarily with a few on the side trails. There is also access to the trail from Intrepid Dr. This is a “superb multi-use recreation facility in Wickford. Zeke Harris Playground, multiple sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, excellent boat ramp with free trailer parking on Wickford Cove.” There’s a beautiful view of Smith’s Castle, as well as Cornelius and Fox islands, and mil Cove.
