Warwick, Rhode Island is home to Rocky Point Park, which was established in the late 1840s. Unfortunately it closed in 1995 and a year later the once thriving amusement park filed bankruptcy. However its memories live on. The park offered a variety of rides that were eventually redesigned for today’s theme parks.
The ‘Archway’ that stands at what was once the entrance to the amusement park originally came from the 1964 Worlds Fair. Viewing the structure from behind and out towards the water gives way to a past that will never be reborn.
The Narragansett Bay’s glistening water reflects the afternoon sun. The magazine like images give plenty of reasons why some people consider Rhode Island one of the most picturesque eastern seaboard states in the continental US. Its beauty, subtleness, and colonial charm sets the tone for early American history.
There are other bits and pieces of this once thriving park that are still erect, but deteriorating with time. The Skyliner – an overhead tram that gave riders a perfect view of the park’s entirety, still stands today.
The wheelhouse that motored the overhead attraction still partially remains, but shows its age with every passing season.
It is sad to know that I am standing where many past visitors waited patiently to experience the high flying ride. This open-air sky ride’s concept would eventually become a popular attraction in one of the world’s most famous theme parks – Disneyland.
The video that is provided below will give you several views of the park. It will span across the water and the rocky shoreline to its forested backdrop. The open field is where the amusement park once stood. Sit back and enjoy the brief video and then keep reading on.
The Rocky Point Park Pier was a perfect docking destination for visiting boaters since the 1850s. However, the weathered dock is in great need of reconstruction. The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is looking into refurbishing the historical pier.
The dilapidated remains are a remembrance of an era where families arrived by boat from neighboring communities to enjoy a day of fun at the park. The township of Warwick is hoping for a restoration project that will restore the pier to its original condition. Landmarks like this one have survived the sands of time and should be preserved. Our past structures can be restored, but unspoken memories can only be imagined.
Author: Anthony Scopel
Photography: Anthony & Maureen Scopel
Videography: Anthony Scopel & Crew
Article Formatting: Anthony Scopel
Video Production: Anthony Scopel & Matt Kemper
Associate Editor: Maureen Scopel
Technical Mastering & Web Support: Matt Kemper
Publisher: You, Me and The Dock
