Category: Events Page 1 of 3

Arbor Day Tree Planting in Stillhouse Cove Park

May 4, 2023. Braving chilly temperatures, approximately 50 second grade students from the Rhodes School trooped down to Stillhouse Cove to participate in the first planting of a new tree in the Park in nearly 20 years – an “October Glory” Red Maple. Barbara Rubine of the EWPA explained that the tree was replacing three diseased Black Pine trees that had formerly stood on the site. The new tree is appropriate in dry soil and resistant to insect damage and salt spray. Mary Jo Hines of the Edgewood Garden Club explained the origin of Arbor Day. Then, in a spirited exchange, she then tested the students on their knowledge of the value of trees and the different parts of a tree. Craig Hotchkiss of the of the Rhode Island Tree Council demonstrated how to properly plant a tree while explaining proper tree maintenance practices. Cranston’s tree warden, John Skropuski, and Sarah Lee, President, and several other members of the Edgewood Garden Club participated. Also in attendance were teachers Mindy Duquette-DiOrio, Susan Neary, Brittany Gagnon, and Mellissa Medbery.

The diseased Black Pines that were replaced.

The 2023 Earth Day Salt Marsh and Park Clean Up!

Over 60 neighbors and friends joined the Edgewood Waterfront Preservation Association (EWPA) at Stillhouse Cove Salt Marsh and Park for our Annual Clean Up. Hundreds of pounds of trash and debris was removed including plastics, syringes, and lumber. Thanks to everyone that participated in the clean up.

Spring Clean Up
April 29, 9-11:30 AM

 

MORE 2023 CLEAN UP PHOTOS

CLEANING UP THE CLEAN UP

2023 EWPA ANNUAL MEETING William Hall Library, Cranston, April 18, 2023

BARBARA RUBINE, PRESIDENT, PRESENTED THIS YEAR’S AGENDA AND GOALS. Approximately sixty community members were in attendance.

PRESENTATIONS ON THIS YEAR’S MEETING THEME: The Future of Trees in Edgewood: Hear from Tree Experts on Where We Are and Where Are We Going. First, a 7-minute film was screened of David Schwartz, an arborist with over fifty years of experience, speaking of the special challenges to trees in urban Rhode Island.

Finally, our keynote speaker, Robert (Lou) Allard spoke about the RI Department of Environmental Management’s programs to encourage the conservation and promotion of urban trees in the State. After the presentation, he answered questions from the audience.

FIND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD’S TREE EQUITY SCORE HERE: You can even search your own house lot. www.treeequityscore.org

Cranston Removes Debris From December 23 Storm

Cranston’s Departments of Public Works and Parks & Recreation brought in heavy equipment last week to clear large objects that were lodged in Stillhouse Cove following the near-record high tide of December 23, 2022. Participating were Ray Tessaglia, Parks and Recreation Director and John Corso, Highway Department Manager. Dennis Conte, City Mason, can be seen cutting up a dock.

December Storm Brought Record Sea Levels

Over the last several years, EWPA has engaged in a number discussions of potential flooding scenarios in our area.  On December 23, 2022, we got a full-blown demonstration. 

The Fox Point Hurricane Barrier was closed when the water level there peaked at 9.2 feet at 8 a.m. thanks to a 3.79-foot storm surge.  It was the ninth-highest level ever recorded at the Fox Point gauge and the highest since Hurricane Bob in 1991.

The photos below demonstrate the flooding’s local impact.

STEM Kids Get High-Profile Visit to Stillhouse Cove

On July 15, 2022, twenty Mystic Aquarium STEM Advantage campers from Cranston public schools (grades three to six) eagerly explored the water, shoreline and grass area at Stillhouse Cove. They proudly showed their friends the large clumps of seaweed and silversides, clams, and crabs they found. 

Caitlyn Blankenship, statewide coordinator for STEM Advantage RI, said the campers visited Stillhouse Cove to learn how to be environmental stewards while advancing their knowledge on aquatic research. Campers took water samples to test the Cove’s Ph levels, oxygen and turbidity. 

The campers were too engrossed in their activities to pay much attention to their high- profile visitors including Cranston Mayor Ken Hopkins, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and Cranston City council members Lammis Vargas, Jessica Marino and John Donegan. Also present were representatives from the United Way, the YMCA, the Rhode Island Foundation, and the Edgewood Waterfront Preservation Association (EWPA). 

See the Cranston Herald article below for full details.

A-little-exploration-can-go-a-long-way-Cranston-Herald

From left: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Cranston Mayor Kenneth Hopkins, Cranston City Council member Jessica Marino, Council member John Donegan, Council member Lammis Vargas, RI Stem Advantage Coordinator Caitlyn Blankenship, and Christy Clausen of the YMCA.
From left President and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island Courtney Nicolato, Marlene Guay of United Way, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Cranston Mayor Kenneth Hopkins, Cranston City Council member Jessica Marino, and Council member John Donegan.

Press Coverage of the End of the Line Unveiling

On December 7, 2022, more than two years of work by EWPA and a team composed of a filmmaker, an artist, and a mason culminated in the unveiling of the “End of the Line” trolley sculpture and historic marker.

The-end-of-the-line-is-here-Cranston-Herald

REALITY TV @ STILLHOUSE COVE

In the most recently released episode of The Culpo Sisters, former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo and her two sisters come home to their parents’ Edgewood home.  It appears to have been filmed early in the Spring of 2022. During the episode, the youngest sister Sophie Culpo and their mother Susan walk down to Stillhouse Cove and observe that the swans must be about to lay their eggs (followed by a shot of Canada Geese in Pawtuxet Cove).  They then sit on one of the park benches and engage in a deep conversation about the perils of fame.  The full episode can be viewed here: (https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8hccwn.

Perhaps the production company might think about making a contribution to the EWPA which installed the bench and maintains the Park.

May Site Committee Work a Big Success: Infiltration Area Seeded!

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.

Interested in volunteering? Join us! 

April – Site Committee Prepares for Spring

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/

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