The Edgewood Waterfront Preservation Association (EWPA), in collaboration with the City of Cranston and Save The Bay, is proud to announce a new initiative to enhance the resilience of Stillhouse Cove Park through a nature-based shoreline stabilization project.
This effort—supported by a $59,150 OSCAR grant administered by the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (RIIB), the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) will strengthen one of Cranston’s most beloved coastal parks while restoring vital salt marsh and shoreline habitat.
Addressing a Decade of Erosion
Stillhouse Cove’s shoreline faces ongoing challenges from wave energy and coastal storms. The steep, manmade bank along the eastern edge of the park has been particularly vulnerable to erosion. During Superstorm Sandy in 2012, sections of the bank were severely eroded, leaving a vertical cut and compromising the natural buffer between the park and the salt marsh below.
In 2013, EWPA, the City of Cranston, and Save The Bay implemented an innovative, nature-based restoration project to stabilize the area. Now, more than a decade later—and after a new round of damaging storms between 2023 and 2024—the partners are returning to build on that success with fresh materials, stronger design, and renewed community support.
A Nature-Based Solution
This new phase of restoration focuses on natural, sustainable stabilization methods that work with the environment, not against it. The project includes:
- Re-grading the eroded bank in targeted areas to create a gentler, more dissipative slope that reduces the energy of incoming waves.
- Installing coconut coir fiber logs and matting along the base of the slope to stabilize the shoreline and prevent further undercutting.
- Planting native warm-season grasses and salt-tolerant shrubs to strengthen the soil, absorb wave energy, and provide habitat for local wildlife.
These techniques not only restore the shoreline’s natural resilience but also enhance the ecological value of the salt marsh and coastal bluff—ensuring Stillhouse Cove remains a thriving, accessible, and beautiful space for generations to come.
Collaboration and Community
EWPA’s role in this project reflects its mission-driven commitment to protecting and restoring Stillhouse Cove’s shoreline and estuaries in the face of increasing climate threats. As the only non-municipal grantee selected for an OSCAR award, EWPA continues to stand out as a trusted community partner in local coastal resilience.
This project embodies the power of partnership—bringing together EWPA, Save The Bay, Mayor Kenneth Hopkins and the City of Cranston, and state agencies including CRMC, RIDEM, and RIIB. Together, these partners are aligning science, policy, and community engagement to create a model for sustainable coastal stewardship.
A Park for Everyone
Stillhouse Cove Park holds a special place in the Edgewood community. As a city-owned park protected by a unique conservation covenant, it will remain open for public enjoyment in perpetuity—a place for quiet recreation, environmental education, and connection to the natural world.
EWPA’s long-standing stewardship ensures this treasured space continues to serve both people and nature, balancing community use with ecological restoration.
Project Timeline (2025–2027)
| Milestone | Target Date |
|---|---|
| CRMC Pre-Application Meeting | June 2025 |
| Technical Permit Work | Summer–Fall 2025 |
| Bid Release & Contractor Selection | Fall 2025 |
| Shoreline Stabilization & Planting | Fall 2026 |
| Semi-Annual Progress Reports | Nov 2025, May & Nov 2026 |
| Final Report & Project Closeout | Spring 2027 |
| Project Completion | May 31, 2027 |
Looking Ahead
As coastal communities across Rhode Island continue to experience the effects of climate change, Stillhouse Cove will serve as a living example of nature-based resilience. Through collaboration, innovation, and community stewardship, EWPA and its partners are ensuring that this shoreline—and the people and wildlife who depend on it—remain strong for the future.Follow EWPA on Facebook or Instagram (@stillhousecove) for project updates, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved as this exciting restoration effort unfolds.
