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RI stone walls

Outdoors in RI: From the beach to the woods, rivers to the vineyards – RI is open for the season!

June 5, 2026/RINewsToday News Team

Misquamicut State Beach is open!

Governor Dan McKee, State Representative Samuel A. Azzinaro, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Director Terry Gray, Westerly Town Manager Shawn Lacey, and Executive Director of the Misquamicut Business Association Caswell Cooke celebrated the completion of the Misquamicut State Beach entrance project in Westerly.

Misquamicut, Rhode Island’s most visited state beach, now features an expanded entrance designed to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion along Atlantic Avenue during the busy summer season. The $1.8M project, funded through the Rhode Island Capital Pan (RICAP), increases the number of entry lanes from three to eight, allowing for faster vehicle processing.

“Misquamicut has always been one of the Ocean State’s most popular beaches with a large summer population of local and non-resident beachgoers,” said Governor Dan McKee. “I’m glad to see this project completed for the beginning of beach season, which will help improve traffic flow and get visitors to the beach faster during the sunny summer days ahead.”

“With more than a half mile of beachfront and a modern beach facility featuring a playground, concessions, outdoor showers, and shade gazebos, it’s no surprise that Misquamicut is Rhode Island’s most popular state beach,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “That popularity also brings heavy beach traffic, and we heard how that would sometimes be disruptive to residents, visitors, and nearby businesses. Through this project, DEM was committed to improving the visitor experience by speeding up vehicle access, easing congestion, being a good neighbor, and helping beachgoers spend more time enjoying the Atlantic Ocean and not sitting in line on Atlantic Ave.”

“Misquamicut is a local treasure enjoyed by visitors from all over New England, but the parking lot hasn’t always been the easiest to access when the summer traffic ramps up. This project, arriving just in time for beach season, will change that,” said Senator Victoria Gu. “I’m excited for visitors to experience the new d improved parking process this summer and for years to come. Less time waiting in traffic is more time on the beach.”

“Misquamicut Beach is not only a Westerly treasure, but one of Rhode Island’s most beloved beaches, as well.  Due to its popularity with residents and visitors, traffic has become an issue for the town, and something needed to be done to ease the constant summer-time congestion.  Thankfully, this new traffic pattern will alleviate many of the traffic problems that have arisen over previous summers, and I commend DEM for getting this project done in time for another busy summer season,” said Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-Dist. 37, Westerly).

“The Town is pleased to see this project completed and looks forward to the benefits it will bring. We have partnered with the State for years to improve traffic flow to the State Beach, and this project is a major step forward. We commend the State for delivering it on time and within budget,” said Westerly Town Manager Shawn Lacey. “The improvements will enhance access to the beach, reduce congestion in the surrounding area, and improve pedestrian and public safety. We thank the State for its commitment to a project that will provide lasting benefits to the Town of Westerly.”

Shore up for summer – buy your 2026 state beach season parking passes online at www.beachparkingri.com. Season passes offer a single, flat-rate parking pass that allows access to all eight state beaches. Season passes do not guarantee entry – parking is first-come, first-served.

DEM is recruiting for critical summertime positions, including lifeguards, park rangers, and other key staff to work at state beaches, parks, and campgrounds. Visit DEM’s seasonal employment webpage to apply.

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The hidden ecological role of Rhode Island’s historic stone walls

URI graduate student Madalyn Stoltz is investigating how stone walls contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in Rhode Island

For Madalyn Stoltz, a master’s student in the University of Rhode Island’s environmental science and management program, Rhode Island’s historic stone walls are more than remnants of the past. Through camera trap research and ecological fieldwork, she is studying how these structures may support wildlife biodiversity across the state.

Researching Rhode Island’s stone walls

A native of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Stoltz is working alongside professors Kathleen Carroll and Shelby Rinehart on the Stone Wall Project, which examines how historic stone walls compare with natural features in supporting local biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The project addresses a largely understudied topic and aims to contribute new understanding of Rhode Island’s natural history.

Stoltz recently received the Godzala Research Award from the Rhode Island Natural History Survey to support her work. “Receiving the Godzala Research Award means that I can put more time and focus into my research,” she said. “This grant directly supports my work by providing me with a stipend and funding for supplies. I will be deploying more camera traps later this year, and I am able to do so because of this grant.”

“Maddy is one of only a handful of MESM students to receive grant awards in support of their major papers,” said professor Michelle Peach, one of the coordinators of the master’s program. “This recognition from RINHS is a testament to Maddy’s hard work and professionalism, as well as the value and quality of her research.”

Stoltz’s involvement in the Stone Wall Project began when she reached out about opportunities for her MESM major paper, the culminating project for the degree. As part of her conservation biology specialization, she sought a project that would connect ecological research with real-world conservation and biodiversity management challenges.

“I wanted to get involved partially because of how great Doctors Carroll and Rinehart are,” she said. “They are amazing mentors and I’m so lucky to get to work with them.” She says that when she reached out about potential projects, the stone wall research was a natural fit given her interest in biodiversity and human impacts on the environment.

“Stone walls are one of the most common features on Rhode Island landscapes, and are culturally significant, but we know little about their lasting impacts on local ecology,” Stoltz said. “Structural features on the landscape provide refuge, nesting habitat, movement corridors, and thermodynamic stability for wildlife. We predict that our stone walls may also be serving these purposes.”

For URI researchers, Rhode Island’s historic stone walls are more than remnants of the past; they are studying how these structures may support wildlife biodiversity across the state. (URI Photo / Robin Baranowski)

URI graduate student Madalyn Stoltz is investigating how stone walls contribute to biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in Rhode Island, with support from the Rhode Island Natural History Survey. (URI Photo / Chris Hickling)

Stoltz is using a stone wall map created by URI Ph.D. candidate Elliot Vosburgh ’18 ’24, who mapped Rhode Island’s stone walls for his URI capstone project. (Photo / E. Vosburgh)

Mapping wildlife and field methods

Stoltz and collaborators are using a stone wall map created by MESM alum Elliot Vosburgh ’18 ’24 — who is now back at URI pursuing a Ph.D., working with Professor Jason Parent — along with RIGIS spatial data to identify field sites. They are also drawing on data from a long-term camera trap network operated in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and URI from 2018 to 2025.

“We evaluated wildlife biodiversity near dry stone walls using existing camera trap data collected across Rhode Island from a collaborative long-term study between RIDEM and URI from 2018 to 2025,” she said. “We used the data collected from these camera traps to calculate species richness.”

Preliminary analyses suggest that stone walls may be indicators of wildlife biodiversity, particularly for small mammals and managed species such as deer, foxes, coyotes, and game birds in Rhode Island. The findings could inform conservation planning and land management in Rhode Island, where stone walls face increasing pressure from development, environmental change, and physical removal.

“Stone walls are increasingly threatened by strip mining, theft, sea-level rise, and intentional burial,” Stoltz said. “We hope to provide a scientific basis for protecting stone wall habitats and equip local governments and residents with the tools to make informed, place-based decisions about land management.”

Stoltz hopes the work also helps broaden public understanding of these familiar features.

“I see the primary audiences for this research being land managers, historians, and New Englanders,” she said. “I’d like the general public to know that stone walls may have unrealized value beyond cultural and historical significance.”

Stoltz adds that the project fills a major gap in ecological research. “The impacts of stone walls on wildlife communities has never been studied in the United States, making this a novel study,” she says.

To learn more about the New England Stone Wall Research Project, indicate interest in donating stone walls for research, or to receive a newsletter, please visit their website or contact [email protected] or [email protected]. Donations are also welcome to help support stone wall research.

This story was written by Anna Gray in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences.

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Summer at Sakonnet!

Join Sakonnet Vineyard, located at 162 West Main Road in Little Compton, for free live music and community events this summer.

Guests can enjoy wine tastings in the tasting room accompanied by a variety of music styles and seasonal offerings from the café.

 
Local and regional musical artists will perform from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  For more information, visit www.sakonnetwine.com/events.   

NEW this summer: Sakonnet Vineyard will debut guided vineyard tours, offering guests a new way to experience the property while exploring its rich history, coastal terroir, and winemaking approach. Tours will be offered Wednesday through Sunday. For more information about planning your day at Sakonnet, and to book reservations or tours, visit www.sakonnetwine.com/visit.

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Central Falls & State to Celebrate Ribbon Cutting of Francis L. Corrigan Basketball Courts

Mayor Maria Rivera, Governor Dan McKee, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, state and local leaders, students, coaches, and community members will gather to celebrate the official ribbon cutting of the new Francis L. Corrigan Basketball Courts at the new Central Falls High School campus.

Constructed through school construction funding associated with the new Central Falls High School project, the investment replaces the former basketball courts at the Higginson Sports Complex and creates a modern, accessible space for both student-athletes and the broader Central Falls community.

The courts honor the legacy of Francis L. Corrigan, whose commitment to youth athletics and community service left a lasting impact on generations of young people in Central Falls.

The event will be held TODAY, June 5th at 4pm at Francis L. Corrigan Basketball Courts, 3 Crow Point Road, Central Falls, RI – Participating are:

  • Mayor Maria Rivera, City of Central Falls

  • Governor Dan McKee, State of Rhode Island

  • Senator Jack Reed, United States Senator

  • Dr. Mario Carreño, Chief Operating Officer, Rhode Island Department of Education and Director of the School Building Authority

  • Stephanie Downey Toledo, Superintendent, Central Falls School District

  • Ben Ramos, Coach, Ralph J. Holden Summer Basketball League

  • Eunice Corrigan Neild, Daughter of Francis L. Corrigan

  • Manny Silva, Coach. Ralph J. Holden Summer Basketball League

  • Hazel Silva, Student Player, Central Falls High School

  • Michael Gomez Bello, Student Player, Central Falls High School

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Advice for Motorcyclists Hitting the Road After a Hard Winter from AAA

With the weather at last trending toward sustained warmth, motorcyclists across our region are pulling their machines out of hibernation and hitting the road. To ensure one of the season’s first rides is not the last, AAA Northeast encourages riders to revisit seasonal maintenance. This is especially critical as AAA responded to tens of thousands of calls for motorcycle roadside assistance last year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourages riders to practice operating a new or unfamiliar motorcycle in a controlled area before riding in traffic. This is good advice for riders who had their bikes stored away during winter, as a test ride provides the chance to reacclimate and check for any changes in handling or needed maintenance.
The last 10 years of NHTSA data shows that June, July and August have the highest rate of fatal motorcycle crashes, accounting for nearly 37% of fatal crashes annually over the same 10-year period.
Motorcyclist fatalities in the U.S. remain high. While motorcyclist fatalities decreased by 2.2% to 6,228 in 2024, they still represent 16% of all traffic fatalities, according to NHTSA. The fatality rate for motorcyclists was 27 times higher than for car passengers in 2024, per 100 million miles traveled. Further, 37% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2024 were speeding compared to 22% of all passenger car drivers.
To prepare for a safe and smooth ride, motorcycle riders should:
  • Give motorcycles a fresh oil change and have a certified technician inspect and perform any needed maintenance on brakes, fluid levels, tire pressure and batteries.
  • Take steps to improve your visibility. Be sure that the lights are on every time you start the engine. Light-colored gear and reflective material can also help riders be seen by drivers.
  • Wear the proper protective gear, every time. NHTSA recommends helmets that meet the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 and have the DOT symbol on the outside back of the helmet. Riders can also find Snell and ANSI labels inside a helmet, indicating it meets those standards. Especially after a long winter, riders should double check that gear is still in good working order.
AAA Northeast urges drivers to keep motorcyclist safety in mind when sharing the roads, especially during the warmer months.
  • Never drive distracted! Be sure to carefully check your surroundings before pulling away from a stop.
  • Increase your following distance when driving behind a motorcycle, because they can stop in much shorter distances than cars, trucks and SUVs.
  • Be especially careful making left turns and carefully check mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles. Their small size makes seeing oncoming motorcycles especially difficult. Remember that looking twice can save a life.
AAA Northeast is a not-for-profit auto club with offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Hampshire and New York, providing more than 6.9 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services.
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GET YOUR TICKETS! Nature and Heritage Tours on the Blackstone Explorer

Tours began on May 10 and leave from Central Falls Landing (15 Madeira Avenue, Central Falls). Enjoy a relaxing 50-minute river tour in the Blackstone River Valley. Our well-informed guides can’t wait to welcome you aboard to share the history, ecology, and beauty of the region.

Saturday “Serenity Cruises” will begin June 6 at 4 pm and 5 pm. These are unguided tours, complete with music – feel free to bring food and drink (no glass containers) on board for a relaxing, 50-minute trip along the beautiful Blackstone River.

For more information and to reserve tickets, click HERE

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