Rotary Park

 

8/10 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊Mommy Approved Smiling Faces

138 Airport Rd

Westerly, RI 02891

https://www.westerlyrotary.org/sitepage/rotary-park/rotary-park-in-the-town-of-westerly-ri

rotary Park attractions :

We simply adored Rotary Park!  It has many special nuances that make it unique.  Not only does Rotary Park have toddler and bigger kids separate enclosed playgrounds, but it also has a kid’s garden that is absolutely enchanting.  It has flowers of course with names written for you to find which plant is which along with placards of “hidden” objects in the garden to identify.  For example, when we saw the pavement inside the garden, it had animals and pictures carved into it and there was an I spy board of the items listed to find.  How cute is that?  A little scavenger hunt for the kids!

We loved the musical instruments out in the green space. Their tone is like none we have heard before.  There was an inspirational quote outside the garden in several languages in the green space between it and the volleyball field.  Rotary Park has picnic tables and tennis courts along with a water fountain.

Mastuxet Brook Greenway Trail :

I was delighted to hear about Mastuxet Brook Greenway trail behind the park.  But when we went there, it was confusing and overgrown.  I was following the map as best as I could but the trail splits and it does not on the map.  We followed the white markers like is says to do, but the trail kept getting narrower and narrower and it was hot and sticky and due to the length being so short ( 0.3 miles), I figured we would be at the end, but it seemed to be taking so long.  We were all uncomfortable at 11 am on this 80 degree Westerly day and decided to turn back.

I can’t tell you how many spider webs I walked through.  I don’t love bugs, but when you are on trails you expect them, this was a whole new level of that!  Once the brush starting impeding upon the legs of my very slender kids because the paths were so narrow, we decided all factors were against us finishing and we turned back.  Maybe we were close to the end for all I know?  We weren’t too impressed with Mastuxet Brook Greenway trail but maybe we will try it again at a later date when we are less uncomfortable.  That can make or break the experience so, we have no hard feelings.

Honestly, if the trail were better I would have given this a 9/10 as we were blown away by the creativity at the kid’s garden and the grounds in general.  The trail would have been the cherry on the top!

The Skinny:

Location :  Rotary Park has two enclosed playgrounds-one for toddlers and the other for bigger kids, kids garden, tennis courts, volley ball, green space, outhouses, water fountain and a nature trail that follows a brook.  Because it is pretty narrow and rocky I would rate this trail easy to moderate.

Duration :  We stayed for about an hour.  We could have stayed longer and finished the trail however, we were hot and the kids wanted to go to the beach.

Parking and Admission : FREE

Weather : Has to be a nice day as this is completely outside with some areas to sit in the shade

Tips and Recommendations :  Try to go when its more comfortable in the day either early morning or later in the afternoon if you choose to go during summer or spring as its so hot and everyone becomes irritable.  Bug spray is a must along with sun screen and sneakers.

 

Jewel Approved 👍🏼

Jamison Approved 👍🏼

If you are in the area, explore Misquamicut State Beach which has many casual places to eat and family fun activities.  Looking for other great playgrounds?  Check out Jamestown Community Playground and Wilson Park and Splash Pad all in Rhode Island.