LITTLE COMPTON Benjamin Simmons dammed Cold Brook in the mid-1700s to create a pond and raceways to harness the waterpower to run his gristmill.
The mill is long gone, but the pond became the center of a natural sanctuary for birds and wildlife.
In the 1960s, Bill Chace and his family built five more ponds connected with a network of trails.The Chace family sold the land in 1995 to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, which maintains the family-friendly public preserve.
Today, the 433-acre refuge, named the Simmons Mill Pond Management Area, is unique because of the wide, easy-to-walk trails and dozens of hand-lettered signs identifying trees, wildlife, rock formations and the land s rich history.
Most trees are spoken for within days of registration opening, so be sure to register early,” she said.
Registration will open Monday and is required to reserve a tree, the DEM said. Rhode Island residents who want trees should apply at www.arborday.org/RIDEM.
For help with registration, contact the Arbor Day Foundation at (855) 234-3801.
Trees can be picked up at the following times and places:
Saturday, May 1 (9 AM – 12 PM), Richmond Elementary School, 190 Kingstown Road, Richmond
Saturday, May 8 (9 AM – 12 PM) Colt State Park, Route 114, Bristol
Saturday, May 15 (9 AM – 12 PM) Rhode Island State Park Headquarters, 1100 Tower Hill Road, North Kingstown
Rhode Island Marks 11th Anniversary Of Great March Flood patch.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from patch.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Site prep begins at new hydroelectric plant valleybreeze.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from valleybreeze.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.