Cyclists, runners, pedestrians and nature-lovers of Rhode Island, unite! We are thrilled to announce the completion of a multi-use, off-road path along the Woonasquatucket River behind our greenhouse in Providence’s Olneyville neighborhood.
History of Our Providence Greenhouse
In 2019, we reimagined the site of the former Providence Base Works, a bustling General Electric facility that employed hundreds of workers and manufactured lamp bases. Our team converted the site into a 112,000 square foot, high-tech greenhouse.
The property was considered a brownfield site, which might not seem like the most obvious place to build a farm, but Gotham Greens’ high-tech hydroponic greenhouses are uniquely suited to repurpose spaces that might otherwise lie vacant because of urban blight.
About the Project
Before breaking ground on our greenhouse, we agreed to donate part of the land adjacent to the river to the city. Located on the south bank of the Woonasquatucket River, our property presented a unique opportunity: to connect urban pathways throughout the City of Providence. As stewards of our community, we are thrilled to help make the city more accessible by bike and foot, while allowing neighbors to enjoy the scene of our urban farm along their route.
The Gotham Greens path offers new access to the Woonasquatucket River and will serve as a connector between the Woonasquatucket River Greenway and the Washington Secondary Bike Path. The Gotham Greens path also opens opportunities for critically needed flood and pollution control measures. The next phase of improvements on the path will be completed with support from U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Rhode Island Department of Transportation, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program.
The Ribbon Cutting
Along with the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) and the City of Providence, we recently hosted a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the completion of the off-road path. Guest speakers, representing the partners who helped make the addition to the Woonasquatucket Greenway possible, included Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, United States Senator Jack Reed, United States Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley.
“We are finally starting to knit together this patchwork of pathways in Providence that will make it more accessible, carbon-free and in a way to promote this incredible ecosystem that we are so proud to live adjacent to.” -Providence Mayor Brett Smiley
Providence locals: have you had the chance to enjoy the new Gotham Greens path? During your next visit, tag us at @gothamgreens for a chance to be featured!
