Providence Journal photo / Mary Murphy
A forum of more than 250 people Tuesday evening at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet could see beyond the remains of Rocky Point's Midway sign and Shore Dinner Hall.
CRANSTON -- The old Rocky Point Park in Warwick, now a decaying remnant of its former self, could yet once again become a fun place filled with things that would make all Rhode Islanders proud.That was the general view of the more 250 people who convened at the Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet Tuesday night to share their ideas on things they would like to see in a future park including the 83 acres acquired by the state under a voter-approved bond issue, along with 41 acres of shoreline acquired by the City of Warwick six years ago.
Ideas ranged from the humble to the sublime, from a proposal to erect a boardwalk and nature trail that would allow visitors to take walks over some of the area's existing marshland to proposals for a full-scale entertainment area that would include Coney Island-style rides, an indoor and outdoor water park, a campground, an aquarium and an "elegant" 300-room hotel.
Governor Chafee, who was among those kicking off the forum at the invitation of Rocky Point Foundation president John Howell, said he personally would like to see that the dock at Rocky Point be rebuilt so as to allow "safe ferry service" between the Warwick park and the 464-acre Colt State Park in Bristol.
As participants gathered around tables with six to eight people each to brainstorm ideas, Michael Donhan, of the Providence architectural firm Veri/Waterman Associates, urged them to "think big," advising participants share even their craziest ideas, in what was billed as the first of at least three public forums on the future of the land. He said that as things stand now the Palladium, which had been the home to numerous weddings and other events and the giant Shore Dinner Hall are in such rough shape that it is certain they will be torn down this summer. But he said it wouldn't preclude rebuilding those and other attractions if seen desirable or feasible.