Parks & Recreation

BEACHES:

Sandy Point Beach

This shallow, natural beach is located on the Sakonnet River at the end of Sandy Point Avenue and is great for families. The beach is free to town residents with either a current transfer station sticker or a free sticker provided upon proof of residency by the Town Clerk's office, (401) 683-2101. Sandy Point Beach is equipped with changing rooms, restroom facilities, and picnic tables. Leashed pets are allowed.

For 2013, the beach will be staffed with lifeguards on weekends from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. beginning Memorial Day weekend (May 25 - 27), through June 16. The summer season starts on June 22, when the beach will have lifeguards daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through September 8.

Cost of admission for nonresidents is $7.00 during the week and $12.00 on weekends, or $50.00 for the season. The Town Clerk's office offers nonresident season stickers and accepts cash only. Money saving tip: be sure to purchase your nonresident season sticker BEFORE heading to the beach because you can't deduct the day fees you've already paid from the cost of a season sticker when you go to purchase it later!

Sandy Point Beach has always had changing rooms, warm showers, and ample parking spaces. New this year, we will have a concession stand open everyday (weather permitting) from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. The stand will sell hot dogs, drinks, chips, and candy. It will also have other beach essentials available for purchase like sunscreen and will rent chairs and umbrellas! The new concession stand makes Sandy Point Beach better than ever!

State Beach

Teddy's Beach located on Park Avenue in Island Park at Stone Bridge. This beach is owned by the State of Rhode Island. It is not staffed by lifeguards and no restroom facilities are available. The water is not tested or monitored by the Town. It is a carry in/carry out facility (trash).

BOAT LAUNCHING AREAS:

Public boat ramps are available for use at Weaver Cove (off Burma Road), Cedar Cove (off Route 24) and Stone Bridge (at the end of Park Avenue).

FISHING:

Fresh water fishing licenses are available from the Town Clerk's office, (401) 683-2101. Click here for more information. Click here for the State of Rhode Island's regulations and a link to an online license form. All licenses must be paid for in cash. Fresh water fishing is available at Melville Ponds.

In order to fish recreationally at the many locations along our shoreline, saltwater anglers and spearfishers must have:

• A RI Recreational Saltwater Fishing License, or
• A National Saltwater Angler Registration, or
• A recreational saltwater fishing license from a reciprocal state.

Please visit the RI Department of Environmental Management at http://saltwater.ri.gov/ for complete information.

GOLF:

Portsmouth is home to three public or semi-public golf courses:

Green Valley Country Club located at 371 Union Street, (401) 847-9543

Montaup Country Club located at 500 Anthony Road, (401) 683-0955

Newport National Golf Club located at 324 Mitchell's Lane, Middletown, (401) 846-1102

LIBRARY:

The Portsmouth Free Public Library, (401) 683-9457, is located at the corner of Freeborn Street and East Main Road and is a member of the Cooperating Librarys Automated Network (CLAN). Library cards are issued free of charge to residents.

PLAYGROUNDS:

Turnpike Avenue Playground

Located on Turnpike Avenue this playground has playground facilities for younger children.

Island Park Playground

Located at the end of Ormerod Avenue it features playground and athletic facilities for younger children.

Melville School Playground

Located behind the Melville School on West Main Road, featuring playground facilities for younger children. Not for use while school is in session.

Redwood Road Playground

Neighborhood playground located at the end of Redwood Road has playground facilities for younger children.

PUBLIC PARKS:

Bristol Ferry Town Common

Located at the northern end of Bristol Ferry Road at Bayview Avenue, the Bristol Ferry Town Common was established on March 12, 1714 by the Portsmouth Town Committee. This 1.5 acre space was originally used by farmers and others to keep their livestock and other goods while waiting for the ferry to Bristol. This historic Common is currently maintained as a public park, with great views of Mount Hope Bay..

Founder's Brook

Located on Boyd's Lane, Founder's Brook honors the founders of the Town, Anne Hutchinson and the Portsmouth Charter of 1638.

Glen Park

Located off Glen Road, this picturesque area is reserved primarily for the exclusive use of Portsmouth residents, companies, and civic organizations. Included in this area are fields for soccer and softball, kitchen facilities, a horse ring, picnic areas, a playground, and a fishing pier. For information on reserving a portion of Glen Park for an event please click here or contact the Town Clerk's office at (401) 683-2101.

Glen Farm

Located off East Main Road this 120 acre public park abuts Glen Park. Glen Farm is divided into six (6) areas and each area has distinct rules and regulations.

The Gardner Seveney Sports Complex is reserved for Portsmouth youth recreation and no use of this area is allowed without the express permission of the Town and the Portsmouth Youth Soccer Association (PYSA).

The Special Events Field is available for lease for appropriate special events (click here for information and the application) but is otherwise open for public use. Groups of 25 or more require permission. For information on reserving the Glen Farm Special Events Field for an event call the Town Administrator's office at (401) 683-3255.

The Brown House is undergoing restoration and will be used for civic groups and activities when complete. Click here to see what's happening with the Friends of the Brown House.

The Polo Field is home to the Newport International Polo Series (click here for information). No use of this area is allowed without the express permission of the Town and Polo. The northwest corner of the Polo Field is the northerly terminus of the Sakonnet Greenway Trail (click here for Greenway information).

The Utility Field provides parking in designated areas for all of the areas of Glen Farm.

The Equestrian Center is leased by the Town to Torrey Equine, Ted Torrey principal.

Please click here for a brief history of Glen Farm.

Heritage Park

Scenic overlook located off Hedly Street.

Melville Ponds Recreation Area and Campgrounds

This 130-acre park is located off West Main Road. Melville has a campground, as well as established hiking/nature trails and fishing ponds. The upper pond is accessible on both the east and west sides of the pond, with a handicapped accessible pier designed on the east side, while the lower pond is for the more adventurous. To see what's been happening with the Melville Ponds recreation area, click here to view the Melville Park Committee's website!

For information or reservations for Melville Ponds Campground please call (401) 682-2424. Click here for additional information about the Campground.

Narragansett Bay Research Reserve Based on Prudence Island

Please visit the Narragansett Bay Research Reserve web site at www.nbnerr.org for information on what they do, upcoming events, how to get to Prudence, the ferry schedule and how to contact the ferry and other important information!

Oakland Forest and Meadow Trail

Located off Carriage Drive, the Oakland Forest and Meadow Trail is a 3/4-mile loop trail through a beautiful, old growth American Beech forest. Come see one of the last remaining stands of old growth American Beech trees on the East Coast. This once threatened forest now serves as a haven for people and wildlife alike.

Patriots Park

Memorial to the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, known as the "Black Regiment" located at the junction northbound of Routes 114 and 24. Flagpole commemorates the site where the Black Regiment courageously fought off a Hessian attack, saving the American line, on August 29, 1778 during the Battle of Rhode Island.

OTHER:

Outdoor, lighted tennis and basketball courts and track are available at the Portsmouth High School. Basketball courts can also be found at the Middle School and Island Park Playground. Baseball fields are located throughout the town.

The Portsmouth Senior Center, (401) 683-4106, located on Bristol Ferry Road offers a wide range of services and activities for those over 55 years of age.

Portsmouth Action for Youth, located at Hathaway School, PO Box 274, Portsmouth, RI 02871, (401) 683-7899, runs a variety of activities for young people on a year round basis.

Although the Town does not have a formal recreation department, we do have many fine volunteer athletic leagues for children.

Portsmouth Youth Soccer Association has a full schedule of soccer activities for children.

Portsmouth Little League for t-ball and baseball for all ages.

Portsmouth Youth Lacrosse for the rapidly growing sport of lacrosse.

Portsmouth Youth Basketball for boys and girls in grades 2 - 8.

Portsmouth Youth Sailing to learn to sail from our beautiful Sandy Point Beach.