Art on the Greenway
A celebration of creativity, community, and green space
The Greenway
Historically, the Woonasquatucket River cultivated connection between people of the Algonquin nation, specifically the Narragansett and Wampanoag.
The Woonasquatucket River Greenway is a linear park that links 3 municipalities-Providence, Johnston, and North Smithfield. The Greenway includes 7 miles of urban bike path, 52 acres of restored lands, and 8 parks.
In addition, the Greenway features over 35 different art installations by local and visiting artists.
For the past 25 years, the Woonasquatucket River Greenway has invited artists to share their work in collaboration with the land.
Join us on a guided virtual tour of the Greenway as we celebrate the beauty of the land as well as the vision of the artists that have touched it.
The Return Home
By Gillian Christy
2008, Stainless steel
"The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council commissioned The Return Home for the Bath Street Pedestrian Bridge. On one side, the sculpture serves as an important indicator for the Woonasquatucket River, while on the other side, descriptive text educates visitors and residents on the river's history. The sculpted school of fish, "swim" over the round discs which is symbolic of the circle of life and the rivers' connection to the ocean."
Electric Box Mural
By Brent Bachelder
2019-2020, Latex
These electrical boxes have been artfully transformed into signs along the Greenway. They depict local flora and fauna including dandelions, ivy, honeybees, and menhaden fish. You'll notice these lively pieces all along the Greenway!
Electric Box Mural
By Darrel Perkins
Electric Box Mural
Abby Taylor & Ed Cabrera
Bench Mural
By Heidi Born & Paul Cuffee Students
2013, Latex paint
Under direction of artist Heidi Born, a group of students from Paul Cuffee Elementary School beautified the surrounding benches adding vibrancy to the street-scape while advocating for its cleanliness.
Screech Owl Boxes
By William Machin
2005, Salvaged river materials
These bird boxes are made of reclaimed trash from the nearby Woonasquatucket River. By cleaning the river and building habitat for local wildlife, we are saving two birds with one stone! Search for bird boxes in the trees along Promenade Ave.
Storm Drain Murals
By Brent Bachelder & Paul Cuffee Students
2019, Latex paint
Keep your eyes open for more of Brent's stormdrain murals along the Greenway!
Bike Flowers
By Warren Collins
2008, Bike parts/steel
These colorful beauties are actually made of repurposed bicycle parts!
Black Locust Furniture
By Anew Vernacular
2016, Locally harvested black locust
The Black Locust tree is a harmful invasive species, which can outcompete and kill native plants. The Woonasquatucket River Watershed council partnered with Anew Vernacular to chop down these trees and turn their hearty wood into functional and beautiful furniture.
Mosaic Bollards
By Mika Seeger & neighborhood youth
2001, Concrete & mosaic
With direction from Mika Seeger, neighborhood youth turned what were once defaced concrete bollards into gleaming mosaic pillars of art that mark the entrance to Donigian Park.
Mosaic Bollard
New Urban Arts
2001, Concrete & mosaic
Using recycled pottery and mosaic, youth from New Urban Arts transformed a previously vandalized concrete bollard into a lovely and colorful sculpture.
Signs as Seeds of Change
By YouthBuild & The Steelyard
2007, Repurposed metal, wood, latex paint
Fish Ladder Mosaic
By Will Machin
2008, Detritus
Waterfalls, such as the one at Rising Sun Mills, interfere with the migration patterns of marine life. This fish ladder allows fish to bypass the waterfall and move upstream, all while catching a glimpse of this gorgeous mosaic.
Watershed Mural
By Nick Guilbert & The Avenue Concept
2014, Spray paint
Celebrating 20 years of work by the WRWC rebuilding fish ladders and cleaning the river, this mural depicts local marine life and scenes on the Woonsquatucket.
First Mural
By Brent Bachelder & William D'Abate Students
1995, Latex paint
The first mural in Olneyville, a group of elementary school students from William D’Abate painted this with the help of artist Brent Bachelder. It depicts a joyful scene on the restored Woonasquatucket River.
Greenway Bike Sign
By Warren Collins & Jason Tranchida
2009, Recycled bike parts/steel
This delightful sign marks the path of the Woonasquaticket River Greenway, directing people down Aleppo Street towards Riverside park.
Fish Sculptures
By Chris Kane, River Rangers, and Fidelity
2009-2018, Repurposed aluminum cans
These sculptures depict two Giant Striped Bass which are native to the Atlantic North American coastline. River Rangers collected trash from the nearby Riverside Park and turned the aluminum cans into the fish scales.
Brownfield to Greenfield=Riverside Park
By Munir Mohammed
2012, Latex
Celebrating the restoration of Riverside Park and the creation of the bike path, this mural depicts families and local wildlife enjoying the beautiful landscape. The term "brownfield" refers to previously developed land that may have been polluted by hazardous contaminants.
Dandelion Sculpture
By Brendan G. Rose
2019, Metal
These bright, dinosaur-sized flowers shine over Riverside Park and pay homage to the golden dandelion. One sculpture shows the dandelion in its flowering phase and the other displays it during its seed dispersal phase.
Herring Hand Rails
By Jason Tranchida
2009, Stainless steel
Schools of shimmering, metal herring swim across an aqua-colored handrail. This artwork celebrates the creation of the adjacent fish ladder that allows fish such as the native herring, to migrate upstream.
Fish Ladder Mural- 40,000 Herring Return
By Edward Cabrera & Abigail Taylor
2020, Latex spray paint
This mural pays homage to the adjacent fish ladder, that allows for over 40,000 herring a year to migrate upstream and spawn. It also allows eels to return to the Sargasso Sea for breeding. The embossed clay fish were made in 2007 by Chris Kane and members of the surrounding neighborhood.
Wing Wall Mural- Riverside Park Vibrant Life
By Edward Cabrera & Abigail Taylor
2018, Latex
This colorful mural highlights the vibrant ecosystems that make up Riverside Park. A metaphor for these ecosystems, all of the mural’s separate elements coexist to create a harmonious work of art.
One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure
By Howie Sneider
2008, Repurposed trash cans and bike frames
These spinning bicycle sculptures tower over the bike path in Riverside Park. Recycled trash can lids take the place of wheels on the repurposed bicycles, catching the breeze and making the sculptures dance in the wind.
Wildlife of the Woonasquatucket
By Munir Mohammed
2009, Latex
This gorgeous mural depicts a serene scene along the Woonasquatucket River. A great horned owl perches next to a red fox, white-tailed deer, raccoon, and turkey. Butterflies and a Canadian goose fly overhead as fish swim in the river.
Living Arbor, Planters
By Sasha Aleksandra and Signal Works
2015, Wood, metal, trumpet vine
Led by Sasha Aleksandra, Signal Works constructed these atmospheric awnings and pleasant planters which shelter visitors from the elements and capture rainwater. The native plants in the planters climb and ordain the awnings with luscious foliage.
Red-Tailed Hawks on the Greenway
By Gent Design Company & Queen Street Metals
2015, Stainless steel
This eye-catching fence was made by Gent Design Co. and Queen Street Metals to adorn the community stage behind the Red Shed Bike Shop. It depicts multiple red-tailed hawks, birds native to the area that we often see flying high above the Greenway.
Community Garden Fence
By Monica Shin & Lisa Aurecchia
2014, Bike wheels
This lively fence was made with recycled bicycle wheels! It surrounds a community garden tended for by local residents. The garden provides a special communal space with tasty harvests every year.
Do's and Don'ts of the Woonasquatucket
By Angel Garcia, TruSkool, River Rangers & Hartford Housing Authority
2008, Latex, spray paint
Angel Garcia, TruSkool, River Rangers and Hartford Park residents came together to learn graffiti-style techniques and paint one of the largest murals along the Greenway. It displays local flora and fauna and communicates the important Do's and Don'ts of interacting with this urban waterway.
Hidden Mural Cityscape Mosaic
By Will Machin
2006, Mosaic tile, recycled material
Artist Will Machin made this Cityscape Mural out of mosaic and discarded material recovered from the river. It depicts the city of Providence illuminated by a large Harvest Moon.
Utopia:Your Ideal Park
By Brent Bachelder & Hartford House Housing Authority
1997, Latex
This mural by Brent Bachelder and the Hartford Park residents communicates a heartfelt message to the community - this park is for everyone. No matter your race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or ethnicity, the entire Greenway is for YOU!
Woonasquatucket River Greenway-Run, Bike, Walk, Play
By Brent Bachelder, Manton Heights Boys & Girls Club, River Rangers
2015, Latex
Brent Bachelder teamed up with the River Rangers and the Manton Heights Boys & Girls Club to paint this charming mural. Visible from the neighboring highway, it draws attention to the Greenway and the multitude of activities it offers the community.
Sabia y Audaz
By Shey Rivera
2021, Printed vinyl
The next three pieces pay tribute to the frontline workers who have bravely dedicated their time and effort to upholding our communities during the Coronavirus pandemic. The WRWC adapted these designs to encourage people to wear a mask to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Mask up! ¡Use mascara!
By Tracy Jonsson-Laboy
2021, Printed vinyl
Gracias Trabajadores De La Salud
By Rene Gomez
2021, Printed vinyl
Thank you so much for joining us on our virtual tour of Art on the Greenway!
We are always looking for ways to beautify the greenway and would love to collaborate with you.
Contact Lisa@wrwc.org with questions about our Art on the Greenway initiative. Be sure to check out our website and follow us on social media!
