It’s hard to miss the 600-foot-long seawall separating Quidnessett Country Club’s golf course from the salt marshes feeding into Narragansett Bay.
Even larger than the physical barrier is the ideological divide over its presence, showcased during a two-hour-long public hearing before state coastal regulators Tuesday afternoon.
Throngs of pastel-clad country club members descended by busload upon the Rhode Island Department of Administration building to insist the wall, while built without the requisite state permits, was needed to protect not only the iconic 14th hole, but the entire club, including its employees and community beneficiaries. Their impassioned pleas were matched by equal outrage from environmentalists, who blasted the club for knowingly building the illegal structure without permission, jeopardizing sensitive waters and obstructing public access to the shore.
Much of the back-and-forth centered on whether the seawall, constructed illegally in early 2023, should be allowed to stand. But the question before the Rhode Island Resources Management Council is not exactly that.
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A Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council subcommittee hearing on Quidnessett Country Club’s request to loosen environmental restrictions in the area of water off its North Kingstown property drew a crowd of club members Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (Nancy Lavin/Rhode Island Current)
Instead, the council through its Planning and Procedures Subcommittee is reviewing Quidnessett’s April 12 petition seeking to reclassify a quarter-mile section of waters adjacent to the seawall. The existing, Type 1 “conservation area” designation bans permanent structural barriers because of their potential harms to environmentally sensitive waters and wildlife. Downgrading the water designation to the less stringent, Type 2 “low intensity use” could allow for the stone wall, known as a riprap revetment. Coastal regulators “may” allow for stone seawalls in Type 2 waters, but they don’t have to, as Jim Boyd, former deputy director to the CRMC, pointed out.
Build it first, change map later
And reclassifying the waters fails to address what critics consider the most “egregious” element of the whole debacle: that the country club built the seawall first, then sought permission.
“The only reason that the country club has put forth this petition is to cover up for an illegally contracted wall on their property,” Boyd said Tuesday, speaking for the first time as a member of the public since his retirement from the CRMC two years ago.
Attempting to head off potential pleas of ignorance, Boyd referred to a 2012 application by the club seeking to build a less obtrusive sheet pile barrier in the same spot. The project never moved forward after council staff recommended against the permanent barrier in favor of less damaging “nonstructural” shoreline protection.
A decade later, the stone riprap appeared, seemingly out of thin air. Work on the seawall began in January 2023, following a December storm that caused “significant damage” near the 14th hole, Patti Doyle, a spokesperson for the country club, said in an email on Tuesday night.
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People play golf at Quidnessnett Country Club in North Kingstown on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)
Six months later, CRMC and Save the Bay each separately caught wind of the illegal structure.
“I was in complete disbelief,” Mike Jarbeau, Narragansett baykeeper for Save the Bay, said in an interview prior to the Tuesday hearing. “It’s such an egregious violation, such blatant disregard for regulations, that I didn’t believe it at first. I thought, ‘There’s just no way.’”
But there it was, visible from a mile-and-a-half away in Narragansett Bay, Boyd said.
The CRMC in August issued a series of violation notices against the club, demanding they remove the seawall and levying $30,000 in fines.
Eight months later, the club through its attorney Jennifer Cervenka — who formerly served as chair of the CRMC’s appointed council — submitted a petition asking for the water reclassification.
The April 12 petition points to increased residential development and recreational use in the area, including the Bayview Rehabilitation at Scalabrini nursing home directly north of it, as reason why the waters should be reclassified.
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“Without the flexibility afforded for shoreline protection areas abutting Type 2 Waters, the QCC will certainly lose a critical piece of its historic, 18-hole golf course and result in devastating losses to both its business and members, as well as the thousands of individuals, businesses, and associations across the State that use QCC for professional golf tournaments, charity events, fundraisers, weddings, proms and countless other engagements,” Cervenka wrote in the letter.
Representatives from the club’s 1,000 members and 100-person payroll repeated this exact phrasing in comments to the CRMC Tuesday.
“I think the perception of country clubs is that they are a very privileged place,” said Peter Chwaliszewski, the club’s head golf professional. “But there’s a lot of employees here that rely on it to provide for their families.”
It’s such an egregious violation, such blatant disregard for regulations, that I didn’t believe it at first. I thought, ‘There’s just no way.’
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– Mike Jarbeau, Narragansett baykeeper for Save the Bay
Changing the design of the 14th hole to move it away from the rising waters, as Boyd suggested, was out of the question to many club members, who praised the unique design by world-renowned golf course architect Geoffrey Cornish.
“It’s a historic landmark,” said Jeffrey Gladstone, a 30-year club member.
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The club, including the 18-hole, par 72 golf course, opened in 1960. It does not have any official state or federal historic designations.
Golf carts are parked at the Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown. (Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, AG step in
But the waters beside it are no less important, with both state and federal environmental designations indicating their value. The illegal rock wall has also caught the eye of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which in May issued its own violation notice with a corresponding fine of up to $200,000.
The pending petition review for water reclassification has saved the club from forking over any cash on its state or federal fines, for now. But Jeff Willis, executive director of the CRMC, said in an interview after the hearing that agency administrators denied the club’s request for extra time, instead requiring it to come up with a restoration plan for the shoreline by Friday.
The Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General may also get in on the action, having already issued a letter to the CRMC urging it to reject the club’s request and crack down on the illegal action.
“Ruling otherwise would only serve to reward the QCC for illegally constructing first and asking for permission later, and would incentivize other shoreline property owners to do the same” Attorney General Peter Neronha wrote in his June 28 letter.
The CRMC subcommittee is expected to revisit the country club’s request by early September, at which time council staff will have prepared a report with recommended action, Willis said.
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If the water type change is approved, the club will apply for the requisite permit to address the pending enforcement against the wall, Doyle said.
Freshmen: Riley Cody (D), Jenna Parker (D), Ella Reyes (D).
Outlook: The Bulldogs return nine starters from last year’s group that won the program’s first state title in its first appearance in the championship game.
Macera was named the Division III Player of the Year as a sophomore scoring 89 goals with 17 assists. She was a first-team Division III pick along with graduated Hannah Seltzer. Seltzer is playing as a freshman at Division III Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Conn. with 10 goals and three assists in eight games this spring for the NCAA Division III Warriors.
Falcone (29 goals, 10 assists) and Faubert (19 goals, 8 assists) were second-team Division III picks last year.
Westerly makes the move this spring to Division II and have a schedule that includes several strong cross-over match-ups against several Division I opponents.
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Coach’s take: “We have a lot of potential and are focused on building a strong culture. Our theme this year is “one team. If we commit to that, will find success no matter what.”
The Rhode Island Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at March 29, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from March 29 drawing
07-11-21-53-61, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from March 29 drawing
04-08-13-18-41, Lucky Ball: 12
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Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Numbers numbers from March 29 drawing
Midday: 8-2-3-9
Evening: 6-1-8-7
Check Numbers payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Wild Money numbers from March 29 drawing
07-20-23-35-36, Extra: 27
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Check Wild Money payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
Prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Rhode Island Lottery Retailer. Prizes of $600 and above must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters, 1425 Pontiac Ave., Cranston, Rhode Island 02920.
Mega Millions and Powerball jackpot winners can decide on cash or annuity payment within 60 days after becoming entitled to the prize. The annuitized prize shall be paid in 30 graduated annual installments.
Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.
When are the Rhode Island Lottery drawings held?
Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Midday): 1:30 p.m. ET daily.
Numbers (Evening): 7:29 p.m. ET daily.
Wild Money: 7:29 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Rhode Island editor. You can send feedback using this form. Our News Automation and AI team would love to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us.
Take a sneak peek at Save the Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium opening in Newport.
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Rhode Island offers many fun and educational activities for grandparents and grandchildren to enjoy together.
From zoos and aquariums to museums and planetariums, there is something for everyone.
Outdoor activities include hiking, exploring nature centers, and visiting a lighthouse.
Few things compare with the joy of spending time with your grandchildren, and whether you’re the cool Glamma or the wise Pop, sharing fun adventures can help create an indelible bond between generations.
The next time you’re babysitting, try some of our top suggestions for inexpensive ways to create memories around the Ocean State.
What’s new at the zoo?
Roger Williams Park Zoo (rwpzoo.org), Elmwood Avenue, Providence. Your littlest charges will marvel at the size of the camels, tortoises and giraffes lumbering about the zoo’s meandering paths, and then eagerly pet goats and sheep in the farmyard. Older kids will enjoy learning fun facts about how gibbons announce themselves to the jungle or how dyeing poison dart frogs emit toxic chemicals. “Return of the Dinosaurs” also returns April 6 with almost 60 life-size animatronic and interactive creatures to behold. Take a break on Explore and Soar, where you can see the park from the air on a zip ride and tour the woodlands by train. Spring hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday, and on holidays and school vacations. Tickets are $22 for ages 13 and up, $18 for seniors, $16 for ages 2 to 12 and free for age 1 and under.
Learn while playing at Providence Children’s Museum
Providence Children’s Museum (providencechildrensmuseum.org), 100 South St., Providence. While their motto is “Play Every Day,” the secret to the museum is that kids can learn while they’re having fun pouring and damming flowing water, experimenting with shapes and fiddling with real tools in the innovation lab. Littlewoods allows children up to age 4 to burn some energy by climbing a tree house and exploring a bear cave. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Admission is $17 for adults and children over 1, free for ages 1 and under.
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Get in touch with sea creatures
Biomes Marine Biology Center (biomescenter.com), 6640 Post Road, North Kingstown. Let the kids get hands-on with shrimp, horseshoe crabs, octopi and small sharks in the facility’s touch tanks. Docents explain native and tropical residents, and a feeding schedule allows visitors to watch. The littles can enjoy educational activities, books and toys in Ruby’s Play Center, where rescued hermit crabs, geckos and a bearded dragon are kept. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. daily, and admission is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and children ages 3-12, and free for age 2 and under.
Save The Bay’s Hamilton Family Aquarium (savebay.org/family-fun/aquarium), 23 America’s Cup Ave., Newport. This new museum features 13 exhibits that focus on Narragansett Bay habitats – from the rocky shore to its deeper waters – featuring local species that come from – and are returned to – Narragansett Bay. The aquarium offers 7,000 square feet of discovery opportunities, complete with three touch tanks with sea stars, horseshoe crabs and sharks, and an augmented reality watershed model. Hours are Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15, $13 for seniors and free for ages 2 and under.
Explore the wonders of nature
Audubon Nature Center & Aquarium (asri.org/learn/naturecenteraquarium), 1401 Hope St., Bristol. Head out on a guided walk or take a birding class with trained docents who will help you spot everything from tree frogs to tidepool creatures to pollinators in a specially designed garden. The 28-acre wildlife refuge on Narragansett Bay offers ADA-certified walking trails and a boardwalk through fresh and saltwater marshes. Bikers and walkers are allowed on the trails. The calendar includes events for all ages, and sensory days are perfect for those on the autism spectrum. Hours through mid-April are Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; trails and grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for ages 3 and under.
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Museum of Natural Historyand Planetarium (providenceri.gov/museum), Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. The sky’s the limit for the fun you can have at this gem, which combines a collection of taxidermy, flora, rocks and oceanic artifacts with dazzling planetarium shows in the dome theater. Check the calendar for other activities, such as guided bird and plant walks through the park and a variety of events for school vacation week. The museum is open weekends, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with planetarium shows (open to ages 4 and up) at 2 p.m. Admission for the museum only is $2 and free for ages 3 and under. For both the museum and planetarium, the cost is $5 person, and planetarium tickets must be purchased online. Children must be at least 4 years old to enter the planetarium.
Tennis, anyone?
International Tennis Hall of Fame (tennisfame.com), 194 Bellevue Ave., Newport. You don’t have to play – yet! – to appreciate the history and highlights of tennis. Browse the bios and artifacts from 267 inductees from 28 countries, follow the sport’s evolving fashions and browse the array of tennis-themed toys. The facility reopens after renovations on May 15. Hours are daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20; $17 for seniors and students; and free for ages 12 and under.
Space exploration in Charlestown
Frosty Drew Observatoryand Science Center (frostydrew.org), 61 Park Lane, Charlestown. Open every Friday night and for special events, the observatory offers a variety of telescopes through which to view the galaxy under its 18-foot dome. The equipment – with guidance from trained volunteers – can track more than 80,000 deep-space objects, 200 million stars, the rings of Saturn, moons of Jupiter, nebulae and more. When the weather is inclement, there’s a Science Center to explore and presentations in the Sky Theatre. Hours change with the season, so check their website before you go. Admission is free, but a donation of $5 per person is appreciated.
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Golf for the whole family
Mulligan’s Island (mulligansisland.com), 1000 New London Ave., Cranston. Everyone loves a fun game of mini golf, and this is one of the largest in the area. Share some friendly competition through the volcano and around other obstacles, hit the driving range, freshen your swing in the batting cages or, when it gets warmer, watch a beach volleyball game. Food Truck Fridays begin again on May 2. Mini golf admission is $14 for adults and seniors, and $9 for juniors. One round in the batting cage is $3.
Learn about lighthouses at Beavertail
Beavertail Lighthouse Museum (beavertaillight.org), 800 Beavertail Road, Jamestown. There’s plenty to do in Beavertail State Park – from hiking to saltwater fishing to picnicking beside the crashing waves. On weekends from May 17 through June 22, and then daily through Labor Day, check out the museum, where you can learn about the function of the light (the third-oldest lighthouse in the U.S.) and the arduous life of the keepers. On select dates, you can climb to the top of the lighthouse tower. From June to mid-October, visit the Beavertail Aquarium, located in the lighthouse’s old foghorn house, with tanks that simulate the state’s shoreline environment and offer shellfish, crabs and fish to discover. All exhibits are free.
Soak up some culture at RISD Museum
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RISD Museum (risdmuseum.org), 20 North Main St., Providence. You’ll just need one word to captivate your grandkids: mummy. Nesmin is the resident mummy, and he sits in just one gallery in this expansive museum. Ancient Egyptian lore mixes with the history of photography, ancient ceramics, Philippine textiles and contemporary enamels. Exhibits delve deeper into themes of artwork, metalwork and more. Admission is free on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m. Hours vary. Admission at other times is $22, $17 for seniors, and free for age 18 and under.
Try a family-friendly hike
Simmons Mill Pond Management Area, 212 Colebrook Road, Little Compton. Dubbed the most family-friendly hike by The Journal’s Walking Rhode Island columnist, John Kostrzewa, this 433-acre preserve features wide, flat paths lined with dozens of hand-lettered signs giving information on the trees, wildlife and rocks you’ll pass as well as some of the area’s rich history. Extend your hike on one of the many well-marked trails circling six ponds and an old grist mill site.
