Founded independently of the University of Rhode Island in 1923, the Kingston Fire District provides comprehensive fire and rescue services inside of and around the URI community and the historic village of Kingston. The all-volunteer department depends on its constituents to join and train to become active firefighters. The District also operates a resdiency program within their facility located on Bills Rd, nestled into the University itself.
This unique department mans an engine company, a ladder company, a heavy rescue company and a decontamination team.
With 18 holes and a 4.5-star rating from Golf Digest, the North Kingstown Golf Course has been serving the community since the 1940s. The course, situated in Quonset Business Park, houses a state-of-the-art irrigation system and a classic layout that remains in great condition. It offers memberships as well as walk-ins. Local residents receive discounted rates. As for dress code, tasteful attire is requested. Also located on the grounds is Pelly's 19th Hole, a restaurant and bar.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) provide a variety of services to the Town of North Kingstown ranging from street sweeping and snow plowing to maintenance of town buildings and parks. Located in Quonset Business Park, DPW Davisville Road location houses:
- Administration, tasked with the overall operation of the DPW including policy and personnel decisions, purchasing, budgeting, research, supervision, record keeping, and customer service to residents.
- Highway, which works to improve the town's roads, dams, drainage and bridges. Additionally, they are responsible for street sweeping, snow plowing, bulky pick-up, tree trimming and brush cutting and sign-making.
- Engineering, which reviews and inspects subdivisions and improves highway, road and drainage designs.
The DPW's Transfer Station, the town's solid waste and recycling facility, is located at 345 Devils Foot Rd. while its Facilities and Grounds department is located at Wilson Park.
The Warren DMV office offers license and registration transactions including license renewals, permits, registrations, license and registration updates, plate changes and vanity plate orders. The office is located on the first floor of One Joyce Street and is open on Tuesdays from 8:30am - 3:30pm.
The Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence is a must-see attraction for families and adults alike. The zoo is one of the oldest in the country and boasts more than one hundred species of animals, most of them rare and exotic. It features an easy to navigate path that is just over a mile long and leads through the zoo's 40 acres; even visitors with strollers or wheelchairs will find this accessible (and these are available to rent). The staff are extremely knowledgable and eager to educate guests and answer questions. Be sure to check out the website for details on any special exhibits, animal feeding times, and other fun events like painting at the zoo, kids activities, guest lectures, and more.
Best and worst time to go to the Roger Williams Park Zoo
The zoo is open year round, but because it is primarily an outdoor venue, pick a day to visit with weather you find comfortable. As this is a top family destination, school vacation weeks and days with better weather will tend to be more crowded. The zoo opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. October through March and 5 p.m. April through September, with final admissions 30 minutes prior to closing. Arriving early or staying late should minimize crowds and allow for easier parking. Be sure to check the zoo's website for updates on early closings on any given day due to special events; for example, each year, the zoo closes at 2 p.m. on the last Saturday in June, with the last admission at noon.
Must see/do at the Roger Williams Park Zoo
The zoo's red pandas are absolutely adorable, as are the moon bears. Kids will love the petting zoo featuring mini Nubian goats. Watch the elephants get a bath at about 10:30 a.m. each day. You can feed a harbor seal weekends in April through Memorial Day at 2 p.m. for an additional fee, or feed a giraffe for a nominal fee daily from May through October. Ask a staff member when your favorite animals will be getting fed or having playtime.
Admission to the Roger Williams Park Zoo
The zoo costs under $20 per adult with reduced rates for children and seniors. Children two and under are free, as are zoo members. Membership is reasonable and pays for itself in a few visits; it's worth considering if you think you may go more than once or twice. Guests fifteen and under must be accompanied by an adult. The first Saturday of every month is free for Providence residents.
Parking at the Roger Williams Park Zoo
Parking at the zoo is free in the adjacent lots. If the lots are full, there is parking throughout the Roger Williams Park, but you may find yourself walking a ways.
Public transportation to the Roger Williams Park Zoo
There is now a bus that will take you to the zoo. Take RIPTA's Route 6 Prairie Ave./Roger Williams Park Zoo trolley, which is a part of the LINK system. More information can be found on the RIPTA website.
Food at the Roger Williams Park Zoo
There are dining options at the zoo, but they are not cheap. The Serengeti Market Cafe and the RiverCamp Sweet Shop are seasonal, while the Wilderness Cafe is open year round. These restaurants offer the usual burgers, chicken fingers, wraps, and salads at a premium. Fortunately, you are allowed to bring in your own food and water, but you must carry your items with you as there are no lockers at the zoo.
Insider tip for visitors to the Roger Williams Park Zoo
Be sure to check out the zoo's African painted dog, Thunder, as he is one of few in the nation. He was born in 2005, and his pack mates have passed away due to age and to cancer. Thunder is still very active and charming. Once he is gone, it will be difficult for the zoo to acquire more African painted dogs, and Thunder is a zoo star who is worth a special visit.
Author's bio: Deborah Jarvis is a freelance writer who grew up and currently lives in the Greater Boston Area. She never pahks her cah in Hahvahd Yahd and tries not to drive like she's from Boston if she can help it. She loves animals and feels like she lives in her own private zoo with her three dogs.
Warren Housing Authority provides quality affordable housing to members of its community. Public housing is offered based on an income guideline and availability. The complex locations include Kickemuit Village Senior Center, which has 153 apartments.
The Towers, a landmark of the Narragansett waterfront, is all that remains of the Narragansett Pier Casino, which was constructed from 1883 to 1886. A fire at the turn of the century destroyed the casino, but the Towers survived. In the 1950s, the property was turned over to the state and deeded to the town. Today, the Towers are open for public events and private functions, typically during the summer months. For booking information and an events schedule, visit the Towers' Web site.
The historic South Kingstown Town Hall Sits atop High Street and acts as the town's hub. Built in 1877, the building has received a face-lift in the last 30 years. The hall is home to a large portion of the town's government offices and hosts town meetings nearly every night of the week.
Also located on the grounds of the town hall is St. Francis cemetery, one of South Kingstown's more than 200 historic burial grounds.
The Portsmouth Water and Fire District is a quasi-municipal, governmental agency created in 1952 by act of the Rhode Island General Assembly. The District was created to obtain and maintain for the District a supply of water for the extinguishing of fire, and for distribution to the inhabitants of the district, for domestic use and for other purposes. Essentially, the boundaries of the District's service area include all of Portsmouth on Aquidneck Island with the exception of the area in the southwest corner of town, including Redwood Farms, Bay View Apartments and Condominiums, Raytheon, Melville Navy Housing and the Navy Base, all of which is serviced by Newport Water.
The District is governed by a seven-member Administrative Board, which is elected by the registered voters within the District. The District holds an annual election of officers on the second Wednesday in June. The Board meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the district's main office.
Although the Portsmouth Water and Fire District is not affiliated legally or administratively with the Town of Portsmouth government, the District and Town work cooperatively to best serve their common constituents.
Built in 1998, the South Kingstown Public Safety Complex houses the town's police department and South Kingstown EMS. Led by Chief Vincent Vespia, more than 50 police personnel operate out of this building. Prior to its construction, the town's public safety offices were located at 509 Commodore Perry Highway near the Salt Pond. This new facility houses not only the police department, but also the town's state-of-the-art dispatch facility and the town's Emergency Medical Services offices and garages.
The South Kingstown Police Department is service-oriented, taking a strong stance on underage drinking, DUI, and other criminal offenses. The department works within the community and with the University of Rhode Island's Police Department as well.