Lincoln Woods State Park is about a 15 minutes north of Providence, Rhode Island, and I would definitely classify it as an Everyday or People’s or City Folk Park (for more details on my classification – see my post on Starved Rock State Park). It is a popular getaway for northeastern Rhode Islanders and happens to be Rhode Island’s first state park.
About the Park (from their website)
Lincoln Woods State Reservation started officially on Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, 1909. Named after the 16th President of the United States, Lincoln Woods was acquired by purchase, gift, and condemnation of farmland and woodlots of the Olney, Arnold, Comstock, and Mitchell families of the Salyersville, Lonsdale, and Quinsnicket areas of Lincoln. Over the years since, Lincoln Woods has grown to 627 acres, which now rim the pond and include playing fields to the south. The facilities have grown and improved to include changing rooms for the swimmers, a snack bar, nature barn, and park administrative and maintenance facilities. With bridle and hiking trails throughout, the basic feature besides Olney Pond which also caters to fishing and boating including swimming, is a circumferential road favored by walkers and bicycle riders. In 1977, the swimming area was dedicated as the Frank Moody State Beach.
My Visit
At the Breakneck Hill entrance, a covered bridge greets parkgoers as they enter the park to enjoy swimming at the freshwater beach, trout fishing, playing ball, hiking, jogging, horseback riding, or just relaxing under a shade tree. There is no entrance fee for the park (if you have read any of my other posts, you know that I am supportive of no fee parks), but permits are required for picnic areas and fields.
I went on a Saturday in the summer and it was hot, humid and buggy. Definitely not my idea of a great park day – just saying. I hiked a combination of the Les Pawson Trail, which goes around Olney Pond, and the Lincoln Woods Trail which goes around the northern portion of the park, where many of the picnic areas and ball fields are located. In total I hiked 5.5 miles – parts of the trails were paved and other parts dirt – and as I mentioned in my All Trails review – the trails are poorly marked. With that said, it’s not as if you are really going to get lost very easily and we need to call out search and rescue.
First stop – Frank Moody State Beach
I parked near Olney Pond and Frank Moody State Beach was my first stop. It’s not the biggest beach and although somewhat crowded, there was still some open space on the beach. The beach was full of families, kids running around and lots of music playing. The beach area has a large concession stand, bath house, kayak rentals and a nature center. The nature center houses a myriad of live and taxidermized animals that represent the various species found in Lincoln Woods and across Rhode Island. I actually went in the nature center – as I always do – to learn more about the park and what to see. I think two young adults who worked there were thrilled to have someone walk in as they looked so bored. I also think they drew the short straw on assignments and would have probably been outside working. Honestly, I don’t think most of the people who go there, even care about the natural surroundings and what they may find in the park. The concession stand was a surprise as to the variety of food they offered. I didn’t try anything, but it looked good.
Pictures: Entrance to the Beach and Kayak Rental area
Pictures: Concession Stand
Pictures: Beach Area
Why is this an Everyday or People’s or City Folk Park?
So as I continued around the pond – the trail parallels the road and as it was a Saturday – it was crowded with cars and many blaring loud music. So don’t go here if you’re looking for solitude or some peace and quiet. And if you are hiking or walking on the trails or walkways – be prepared for oblivious people and let’s say kid’s that are not the most behaved.
Eventually I connected to the Lincoln Woods Trail, and got away from the crowds for a brief moment. That is until I walked near the ball fields or large picnic areas – many of these areas were filled with large parties, and you guessed it more loud music. Don’t get me wrong, I love music and a good party, and I think this park is conducive to some great gatherings, but I do think there should be some limits on the music decibels.
Pictures: From my hike on Lincoln Woods Trail
As I looped south, I connected again with the Les Pawson Loop and Olney Pond where you get some nice views of the pond. I continued around the pond trying to take as many of the dirt spurs as I could to break it up walking on the paved road.
Pictures: Olney Pond
If I lived in the area, I could see going to Lincoln Woods State Park for a good run, perhaps a swim in the pond or a picnic with friends and family. However, I wouldn’t make a special trip (drive for hours) to visit the park. It’s an everyday or people’s or city folk park.
Date of Visit: 8 July 2023
