City dwellers with occasional need for a convenient-yet-genuine dose of nature take note: Nineteen minutes from Fox Point, door-to-door, RIPTA #60 brings you to Osamequin Nature Preserve, 42 acres of woods, meadows, and salt marsh that adjoins Walker Farm, a town boat launch facility and an excellent kayak rental enterprise. Spread along Hundred Acre Cove, the entire area is small enough to explore thoroughly without a map yet large enough to provide hours of wandering and relaxation. Plus, it may be the best and cheapest option in Rhode Island for a non-boatowner to venture afloat for a couple of hours. Pack drinks and lunch.
Southbound from Providence, the stop at Manning Drive across from Walker Farm is preferred. To cross the road, follow the sidewalk in the direction the bus was traveling a short distance to where drivers can make a U-turn. Vehicles may travel fast, so wait until none are in sight. There is an ample grassy median where you can pause until it is safe to cross the northbound lanes. Northbound from Newport, ring for a stop right after the landmark White Church. Walk ahead to a wide gravel driveway leading to the waterfront. On the right, you can rent kayaks from the proprietor who lives right there in the white house with columns and a Providence-bound bus stop in front. Bernie’s dedication to your pleasure and the cove comes at no extra charge. Learn more and reserve at walkerfarmkayaks.com/rentals until November 1.
For an efficient excursion to tranquil inlets abounding with wildlife, check the tide prediction and begin your tour an hour before high tide. Currents will assist you in both directions. To your left is the yard where the town composts yard waste. Walk past the leaf piles to the corner where a well-trodden path leads ahead to the nature preserve. If the gate is locked, look for one of the footpaths between the gate and the shore. If you wade into tall grass and underbrush, check carefully for ticks when you get home. The other trails in the preserve are broad and mown. At low tide, you can follow the shore to the preserve. Please note that accelerating erosion these days means a duty to avoid even slight damage to waterfront vegetation. A short way from the compost yard, you cross a creek and reach a junction. The orange trail to your right leads past secluded waterfront benches. The yellow trail to your left quickly leads to a red trail that continues past a thoughtful little viewing hut overlooking a tidal marsh. All trails emerge at a trailhead with a bus shelter on northbound route 114. You will see some side trails recently closed due to damage from high water. The plan is to maintain a natural shoreline and marsh environment as the sea level rises and the shore moves inland.
The sooner you visit, the more of it you will get to see. The direct proximity of bus stops to this waterfront area makes it easy to improvise a round trip or just a bonus stopover when riding past for some other reason. You could get off at Walker Farm, walk the length of the preserve, and catch the next bus to Providence at the trailhead stop in half an hour. (Crossing to the Newport bound bus from the trailhead is not recommended due to full-speed traffic and the need to vault the center guardrail). Or add an hour and cover all the trails. Add a two-hour kayak adventure. It is a great place to visit when you want to decompress by watching the water and the birds. And it’s not too far! •
