We’re at it again! A small group from the Collaborative will be paddling the entire river from Worcester to Providence (including the Seekonk River) from September 12-15, similar to the 2022 Expedition!
On Sunday, September 15, the public is invited to join our paddle for on the last four miles of the 4-day, 60 mile expedition raising awareness about the opportunities to steward, restore, and improve access to the Blackstone River, also known as Kittacuck and Mishkittakooksepe. There are 35 spots available in canoes (and a few kayaks) generously provided by Friends of the Blackstone, or feel free to bring your own watercraft!
All participants must register by Sunday, September 8
This will be a moderate paddle of 4 miles from 1:30 - 3:30pm, from Festival Pier Boat Launch in Pawtucket to Gano Park Boat Launch in Providence.
If you plan to bring your own boat, please drop it off with our volunteers at Festival Pier between 11:15 and 11:50 before dropping off your car at Narragansett Brewery. A shuttle back to the put-in at Festival Pier is provided.
If you need a boat, 35 spots are available in 16 canoes and 3 kayaks, provided by Friends of the Blackstone, 2 paddlers per canoe. Please let us know through the registration form if you would like to request a spot. These are first-come, first-served, and submitting the form does not guarantee you a spot. We will confirm availability with all participants requesting a boat spot by email.
All participants: Meet at Narragansett Brewery for check-in no later than 12:15. At 12:30, a shuttle will bring all paddlers to Festival Pier to start the paddle. We will take out at Gano Park Boat Launch and portage the boats 0.3 mi along a pedestrian path back to the parking lot at Narragansett Brewery. All are invited to a public celebration of the Blackstone River hosted by Narragansett Brewery at 4pm following the paddle!
Boat drop-off: 11:15 - 11:50am, Festival Pier Boat Launch, 50 Tim Healey Way, Pawtucket, RI
Vehicle drop-off and check-in: 12:00, Narragansett Brewery, 271 Tockwotton St, Providence, RI
Registration is required for this free paddling event, with insurance coverage generously provided by Friends of the Blackstone through the American Canoe Association. All paddlers are required to wear a Personal Flotation Device and sign a waiver. We will have waivers available at check-in, but please feel free to print your own to speed up check-in, or submit it when you register via Google Forms. Download the waiver to complete it here.
Interested in volunteering? Other questions?
Contact Caleigh McLaren at caleigh@blackstonecollaborative.org.
Thank you to the Horsley Witten Group, a Foundational Sponsor of the Blackstone Watershed Collaborative, for supporting this event!