City of Pawtucket Receives $250,000 Open Space Grant for Purchase of Four Additional Acres of Riverside Cemetery
PAWTUCKET – The City of Pawtucket is proud to announce that it has been awarded an Open Space Grant from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) of $250,000. This grant will be utilized for the purchase of an additional 4 acres of open land from the Riverside Cemetery, located at 724 Pleasant Street.
The $250,000 grant secured for the acquisition of 4 acres along the Seekonk River, south of Tidewater Landing, adds to the City’s green initiatives. This undeveloped portion of the Victorian-era Riverside Cemetery, nearly 150 years old, lies just north of Providence’s Swan Point Cemetery. The purchase of these 4 acres of land will be in addition to the 9.49 acres the City already acquired last year.
“This land represents a tremendous opportunity for the City of Pawtucket,” said Mayor Donald R. Grebien. “Our residents deserve safe, free outdoor spaces for passive recreation, and this newly acquired land will fulfill that need.”
The Open Space Grant requires that this land remain undeveloped or partially developed for public consumption and recreational purposes. Pawtucket envisions a space that fosters community engagement, relaxation, and appreciation of nature.
This significant addition to greenspace will enhance the quality of life for Residents and promote outdoor recreation. The acquisition solidifies the City’s commitment to creating more green, open spaces for public enjoyment.