Rocky Point

Unfortunately I was never able to go to Rocky Point because it shut down before I was born… but my mom took my sister and I here to reminisce about her childhood and it was pretty to walk around where the park used to be. It’s a really pretty spot by the water and looks like a good place to go for picnic.

Five stars for all the memories… which we will never have back. It’s been a hard process to let go for many Rhode Island families who spent so many summers at this beloved park. I’m saddened that it’s taken so long to utilize this property. The walking path is very nice with lovely oceanfront views — a beautiful place to escape the city and enjoy some fresh air. I’m hoping that soon the rest of the closed off space will become a public park.

If you want a place to be alone and just think of personal stuff or a place where u can spend time with your love one in a semi private place, rocky point is one if the places I can recommend. It’s a nice place to walk coz the breeze and the smell of the seaweed! Yum yum! Also, I discovered a place where there’s a really big rock. You can sit in there and watch the bay all you want. There are trees behind the rock and it feels so good to hear the trees producing sweet sounds coz of the wind. It’s kinda creepy though to pass through the abandoned buildings but it’s fine, you’ll get over it. The bay is nice along the rocky point. Great for walks and jogging. Also, biking!

I love the posts… the nostalgia.
My aunts would drive here for clam chowder and crab cakes after dumping my brother and I off to enjoy the the roller coasters and the «Flume».
There is a fantastic film that was made about the history of the park. Check it out, it’s called: «You Must Be This Tall: The Story of Rocky Point Park»

Old defunct amusement park, now a shoreline park. Developers wanted to build condos, but the city stepped in and acquired the land to make it a public park. Power to the people!

when this place gets fixed its going to be amazing. Its gorgeous now. i am not sure how this was called a rat hole it was abandoned for years. as far as your car don’t know a park where someone is watching your car. this place is full of memories and is going to make a great park when finished

There is plenty of bay access in Warwick and with better views. Why go to this rat hole of open space other than to try to go back in time to days once was? If that is your reason then you will be disappointed. There is no dock to fish from, amusement park to enjoy or place to eat. And beware that parking is about a ¾ of a mile from the water in an isolated area that lends your car to be unsafe.

Rocky Point brings back so many memories of when I was younger. Getting all excited and getting up early to spend the day there with my family. I can still remember the yelling and screaming of the people riding the «Floom» (not sure of spelling). I miss the park and would have loved to share the joy with my children.

Five stars for
what it was
and for what it
might become again
Make no mistake about it, Rocky Point is a ghost town. Nothing but seagulls, wind and ocean spray. But it wasn’t always this way.
At one time Rocky Point was the most popular attraction in Rhode Island and one of the most popular amusement parks on the east coast. Thousands of people from all over, including kings and presidents came here. Some of the most innovative and creative Ferris wheels, roller coasters and other rides were in operation and scores of little cottages were built to house the visitors. These cottages had to be booked months in advance.
Special train tracks were constructed to get the hordes to the park and a special steam boat dock was built. Large restaurants, bathhouses and other amenities appeared.
The original park opened in 1847 and became an immediate success. The beautiful location right on Narragansett Bay appealed to masses from far away. Then came the monstrous hurricane of 1938 that brought a 16 feet storm surge up the Bay and destroyed much of the park. No problem, they had the money and rebuilt better than ever. World War Two slowed attendance but the park survived. In 1954 hurricane Carol arrived with almost as much fury and anger as the 1938 storm but once again the park rebuilt.
In the 1960’s and 70’s the park was more popular than ever. More cottages were built, new rides were developed and improbable numbers of people passed through here. But the winds of change were starting to stir.
By the late 1980’s things started slowing down. The park that survived world wars and monstrous storms could not survive the economy and capricious behavior of people. Huge, anachronistic parks like this fell out of favor and people began seeking other forms of entertainment. Rocky Point finally closed it’s doors for good in 1997 and time, weather and the mindless jackal vandals took over.
The debate now was what to do with this prime, waterfront property. Of course grandiloquent plans for opulent condos were tossed around as well as ideas for preposterous and polluting industrial plants. However the town of Warwick, in almost an unfathomable display of perspicacity and reason, decided to buy up almost 50 acres on the water for a public park and is presently attempting to find the funds to purchase the rest of the land.
Perhaps one day soon Rocky Point will once again open it’s rusty gates to admit people to experience the wind, salt and sea.