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Rhode Island
$2M in grants awarded to local recreation projects in Rhode Island | ABC6
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Officials announced Monday the awarding of $2 million in grants for local recreation projects in Rhode Island.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management shared that 11 municipalities would receive funding to develop or renovate local outdoor recreational facilities.
“Increasing opportunities for Rhode Islanders to get outdoors and recreate improves mental well-being, public health, and quality of life,” said Governor Dan McKee in a statement.
Large grants were awarded to the following projects:
- Central Falls: Historic Jenks Park Restoration, $400,000. Open Air Performance Stage, open lawn and seating area, new concrete pathways, site furnishings and signage.
- East Providence: Providence Avenue Park Splash Pad, $200,000. New splashpad with fencing, bike racks and trees.
- Pawtucket: John Street Splash Pad and Playground Improvements, $400,000. Renovate existing playground with inclusive features, new splash pad, performance area, lighting for basketball court and parking, walking loop, new parking area, benches, signage, stormwater control, and landscaping.
- Providence: Cabral Park Playground and Waterpark Revitalization, $400,000. Revitalize existing splash pad, ballfield and basketball courts, new play equipment, site furnishings, outdoor classroom, green infrastructure, signage, and landscaping.
Small grants were awarded to the following projects:
- Coventry: Harris Playground Renovation, $100,000. New ADA playground with wood fiber surfacing, accessible paths, tables, and landscaping.
- East Greenwich: Scalloptown Park Renovation and Dog Park, $100,000. New dog park, fencing, shade pavilion, solar powered composting toilet, pathways, tables, benches, signage, and landscaping.
- Johnston: War Memorial Park Walking Trail Renovations, $100,000. Renovation of existing walking trail with wooden guardrails, ADA-compliant benches, lighting, signage, and landscaping.
- Lincoln: Old Fairlawn Park Pickleball Courts, $100,000. New pickleball courts, fencing, benches, lighting, shade trees, parking lot repair, and stormwater control.
- Portsmouth: Community Playground, $60,000. New playground with fence, tables, benches, walkways, and landscaping.
- Warren: Community Garden, $72,445. Raised beds, fencing, well, storage shed, rain barrels, compost binds, tables, benches, bike rack, parking area, and signage.
- West Greenwich, Playground Expansion, $80,000. Expansion of existing playground area, new playground equipment and fencing.
CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island State Police are investigating a crash that happened on I-295 North in Cumberland Tuesday night.
The crash happened in the right lane near Exit 22 just before 9 p.m.
It’s unclear exactly what caused the crash or if anyone was injured.
12 News has reached out to Rhode Island State Police for more information but has not heard back.
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Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
Scandals shake up Capitol Hill ahead of midterm elections
Congressional reporter Zachary Schermele dives into the latest scandals on Capitol Hill and how they’re shaking up politics ahead of midterms.
Rhode Island’s Democrat and Republican primary elections will officially be held on Wednesday, Sept. 9 this year, instead of the usual Tuesday election day.
Lawmakers passed the bill at the urging of state and local officials, who were concerned that an election day falling the day after Labor Day would not give them enough time to set up polls for the arrival of voters.
Gov. Dan McKee signed the bill on April 20, officially moving the primary day for 2026.
Which races will be on the ballot? The Republican and Democrat nominees for a swath of local offices – most notably governor but also lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Why was RI’s primary day moved?
At a hearing on the bill earlier this year, Randy Rossi, executive director of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns explained the “significant logistical and financial challenges” municipalities otherwise would have faced having an election the day after Labor Day.
“Beyond cost, municipalities face serious logistical challenges accessing and setting up more than 430 polling locations on a major federal holiday, a process that often requires many hours and access to facilities that are typically closed and unstaffed on Labor Day,” he said.
“Compounding these challenges, many municipalities conduct early voting in city or town halls that must also serve as primary day polling locations,” Rossi noted.
Without changes to current law, he said, “municipalities would be required to conduct early voting and primary day polling simultaneously, often in the same limited space and with the same poll workers, requiring additional staffing and facilities.”
By the time this legislative hearing took place in January, other states facing similar issues, including Massachusetts, had already adjusted their primary dates, “and Rhode Island itself has demonstrated that alternative scheduling can be successful, as occurred during the statewide Wednesday primary in 2018,” Rossi said.
EAST GREENWICH, R.I. (WPRI) — If you’re looking to satisfy you’re sweet tooth, look no further than Division Street.
Nothing Bundt Cakes opened its first Rhode Island bakery in East Greenwich earlier this month. The new bakery is situated within East Greenwich Square, which is also home to the Ocean State’s first Crumbl.
The bakery is known for its handcrafted specialty Bundt cakes, as well as smaller “Bundtlets,” and bite-sized “Bundtinis,” that come in a variety of flavors.
“There’s a strong sense of local pride, creativity, and community here that aligns perfectly with our values,” said Jake Williams, who owns the East Greenwich bakery. “We were drawn to the area’s vibrant small business culture and the opportunity to contribute something special.”
Nothing Bundt Cakes is also expected to open another bakery at Chapel View in Cranston later this year.
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Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the free WPRI 12+ TV app.
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