The Site Committee, including board members and volunteers, spent a productive morning seeding the infiltration area damaged over the winter.
The infiltration area acts as a natural filter for storm water that flows into the bay. Catching bacteria and other organisms and larger items like trash before the water flows into Stillhouse Cove, this important feature protects the cove from bacterial or other blooms as well as from trash and plastics.
Thanks to the volunteers and board members that showed up to do this important work.
The EWPA “Site Management Committee” keeps the park and salt marsh healthy with ongoing maintenance and improvements. On Saturday we met to prepare for Spring. Volunteer with us and join us! http://stillhousecove.org/volunteer-with-us/
The Edgewood Waterfront Preservation Association (EWPA), Pawtuxet Village Association (PVA) Annual Stillhouse Cove Salt Marsh and Park and Pawtuxet Park Clean-Up.
Spring Clean Up April 23, 9-11 AM
We had perfect weather and a great crowd for our Stillhouse Cove cleanup today, hosted in partnership with Save the Bay and the Pawtuxet Village Association. Close to 100 people worked picking up garbage and pruning vegetation while at the same time connecting with neighbors and friends. Over (insert number) pounds of refuge was collected and Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins joined in himself.
EWPA President Barbara Rubine received a proclamation from the State of Rhode Island delivered by Rep McNamara and Mayor Hopkins, thanking the organization for all of the work done over the years to nurture and grow this beautiful waterfront space. Other notable attendees included Councilwoman Vargas, Senator Miller, Councilwoman Marino, Congressional candidate Joy Fox and EWPA Founding Board member Hy Goldman.
There were many conversations about how far the EWPA has come over the years, including stories about how way back in 1996, one neighbor used his car to tow the trees out of the cove area and one time a tow truck had to be called to help!
Building Local Climate Resilience – From Hazards to Solutions
How we can best prepare our community for current and future climate change and rising sea level? A Presentation by Shaun O’Rourke, Managing Director at the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank.
Annual Meeting Presentation April 13, 6:30 PM, Via Zoom
At the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, O’Rourke manages a portfolio of lending and grant programs to help accelerate infrastructure investment statewide. Shaun led the development of “Resilient Rhody,” the state’s first climate resilience action strategy under Governor Raimondo in 2018 and continues to work closely with municipalities to move from planning to action. His talk title is “Building Local Climate Resilience – From Hazards to Solutions” and will focus on how we can best prepare our community for current and future climate change and rising sea level.”
Two hundred eighth grade students from Park View Middle School and Hugh B. Bain Middle School will advance their education on ocean exploration this spring thanks to a $24,953 grant Mystic Aquarium received from the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Exploration. The program’s curriculum will provide projects and local excursions for students.
The Edgewood Village invited Board President Barbara Rubine to tell their group about the history of Stillhouse Cove, Salt Marsh and Park. Here are her comments, The Short Story.
November 18, 2021
I want to thank Michael for his invitation to talk today about the history of Stillhouse Cove, I think. I say that because I have been so immersed in various aspects of this property for so long that, honestly, it is very challenging to focus on a short or quick study of this property that is historically accurate. I am going to do my best to keep you interested for the few minutes I have to generally outline how this property became a park, why it is so historically and environmentally important to the neighborhood, the City, the State of Rhode Island, and the country.
This park land that we are standing on was agricultural property that was part of the Brattle Farm. The property that comprises the park spans from Ocean Avenue to Strathmore Place, about one half mile of waterfront. The name “Stillhouse” came from a distillery that was owned by Joseph Rhodes and was located approximately where Trinity Church is situated today. The home and distillery owned by Joseph Rhodes no longer exists.
Coir logs perform an important function in the cove. Made to control erosion and protect the cove in the event of a significant storm, these “logs” help the cove stay stable and healthy.
And Ray and Wenley? Ray Mooney and Wenley Ferguson have been supporters of the EWPA for many years, adding expertise and helping out in many ways and lately heling in acquiring and installing coir logs in the cove.
This spring Ray saw logs posted on a social media site for a price substantially below what we have spent for similar items in the past. Given the Covid-19 situation and the difficulty of transporting them to Rhode Island, we passed on these items this spring. However, Ray noticed last week that they were still available. He drove to New Hampshire with his trailer and brought 15 logs back.
Wenley is lending her expertise in how these should be installed to gain the greatest benefit from them. She will advise the landscaping company that will be installing them.
The work of EWPA couldn’t happen without the assistance of such important friends of EWPA and we thank them for their generous and important efforts.
Maintaining the park includes keeping a close eye on the plants that are doing well and the ones that need some help. It also means always improving.
Last year Winterberry were planted in the northern curve of the park. The berries feed the birds throughout early winter and add a nice look to the edge of the park. Several of the plants did quite well while a few seemed to struggle.
In an effort to give them a better location to thrive, we, led by Nick Cokonis, moved the winterberry to a location a with more sun and less competition for water. Where the Winterberry were removed, they were replaced by a variety of smooth hydrangea called ‘Invincibelle Ruby.’
A Better Hydrangea for Pollinators (including Bees!)
“The pollinators love these Hydrangeas” said Nick Cokonis. He continued explaining that the variety of hydrangea chosen to replace the spots where the Winterberry were have reproductive organs and nectar available. Most commercial hydrangea are cultivated to lose the nectar and reproductive organs so they won’t produce nectar or pollen. In these commercial plants, the sterile flowers can be four times the size, making them thirstier.
Asphalt: The Nasty Gift that Keeps on Giving
The slow release of petroleum from asphalt dumped on the site years ago is the nasty gift that keeps on giving. While preparing beds, the crew took the time to remove as much of the tar that they could find.
On Saturday, October 2, 2021 Board Members from the EWPA worked in the early morning sun to remove invasive growth from the cove. This removal, done once per year, allows the naturally occurring growth room to thrive. The removal included a surprising number of young “pear” trees, that, according to understanding, are a variety that never actually produce pears!!
Board Members Lynn, Richard and Joe deep in the marsh removing invasive growth Board President Barbara applying solution to invasive to inhibit regrowth. Board Members Lynn and Joe removing invasive growth from the cove.