Snake Den State Park

Snake Den State Park
Rhode Island State Park
Dame Farm at Snake Den State Park
named for: Snake Den
Country United States
State Rhode Island
County Providence County
Elevation 394 ft (120 m) [1]
Coordinates
Area 1,000 acres (405 ha)
Established 1969
Management Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Parks and Recreations Division
Location of Snake Den State Park in Rhode Island
Website: Snake Den State Park

Snake Den State Park is a Rhode Island state park in Providence County, Rhode Island in the United States. The park is 1,000 acres (400 ha) and sits at an elevation of 394 feet (120 m).[1][2] The park includes a working farm and is largely undeveloped with limited recreational opportunities. The park is open year round and features walking trails that provide visitors with opportunities to view the farm and wildlife of the park.[3] Snake Den State Park is on U.S. Route 6 in Johnston.[3]

Contents

History

Snake Den State Park was purchased by Rhode Island on October 10, 1969 from the Palazzi family. The Palazzi's had preserved the farm in a historic condition that dates back to the 18th century.[4] The farm, known as the Dame Farm, was previously owned by the Steere and Dame families of Johnston. A Steere family cemetery lies within the park.[5]

Park uses

One of the purposes of establishing a state park at the farm was to preserve open space in the greater Providence metropolitan area. Another purpose of the park is to relieve pressure from visitors to other parks in the Providence area.[3] The state also would like to maintain the farm as a working farm in order to preserve a part of Rhode Island's "rich but diminishing agricultural heritage."[6]

Recreation

Snake Den State Park is named for Snake Den which is a "canyon like fissure" within the park.[7] In addition to the working farm, Snake Den State Park, features a self-guided walking trail that passes through the forest of the park and by the farm.[3] The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Parks and Recreations Division is developing a master plan to develop the park. The goal is to preserve the working farm which is located to the rear of the property and develop traditional state park facilities such as picnic areas and playing fields.[4] A 2005 plan by the state to develop a waterpark at Snake Den State Park was defeated by the citizens of Johnston who were concerned the with amount of traffic that would be brought to the area.[8] The state had planned on building an "environmentally friendly" water park. Funds raised from the water park would've been used to develop the rest of the park.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "Snake Den". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. May 21, 1976. http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:1218650. Retrieved August 1, 2010. 
  2. ^ "Snake Den Summit - Rhode Island Mountain Peak Information". Demand Media Sports. http://www.mountainzone.com/mountains/detail.asp?fid=2512356. Retrieved August 1, 2010. 
  3. ^ a b c d "Snake Den State Park". Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Parks and Recreations Division. http://www.riparks.com/snakeden.htm. Retrieved August 1, 2010. 
  4. ^ a b "Snake Den State Park History". Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Parks and Recreations Division. http://www.riparks.com/snakedenhistory.htm. Retrieved August 1, 2010. 
  5. ^ Shea, Neil (December 4, 2003). "Graveyard shifts: Historic, abandoned cemeteries dot modern landscape". Providence Journal. http://www.projo.com/northwest/content/projo_20031204_jbones4.31850b.html. Retrieved August 1, 2010. 
  6. ^ "Facts about Snake Den State Park". Visit USA. http://www.visitusa.com/rhodeisland/state-parks/snake-den-state-park.htm. Retrieved August 1, 2010. 
  7. ^ Imbrie, Katherine (June 5, 2003). "Hike canyons and mountains from Rhode Island to southern New Hampshire". Providence Journal. http://www.projo.com/hiking/content/projo_20030605_hiking.6c3d5.html. Retrieved August 1, 2010. 
  8. ^ a b Bramson, Kate (December 27, 2005). "With no water park revenue, Snake Den development on hold: Residents' protest spurs the state to abandon its vision to make a water park the centerpiece of a major renovation.". Providence Journal. http://www.projo.com/northwest/content/projo_20051227_jwater27.da75b19.html. Retrieved August 1, 2010. 

External links

Official Snake Den State Park map