The New Pier In Warwick That You'll Want To Go See This Week

Prior to the completion of the new fishing pier at Rocky Point State Park, a walk around that area, for me, proved to be bittersweet.

Sure, there were fantastic water views and you might run into a few people walking cute dogs, but the rusty remnants of what used to be (oh, look, that was part of the Skyliner!) struck me as sad and somewhat depressing.

You see, Rocky Point Amusement Park was my nirvana as a kid, as it was for so many other RI’ers of my generation. A June, July or August day spent roaming the grounds there back in the 1970’s or 80’s was the ultimate in summertime entertainment. My favorite rides back in the hey days of the early 1980’s were the Music Express which spun you around in a circle at high speeds while loud music blared from the speakers (a sort of precursor, in my opinion, to the Aerosmith roller coaster at Disney in FLA) and The Flume which gave you the brief-ish thrill of careening thru water and finally splashing down a steep hill (refreshing, if only for a few minutes) whilst clinging to the three or four seater that had been fashioned to look as though it had been cut from an actual log.

Anywho, back to the current day and that brand-y NEW Pier — because you’re really going to want to go there soon!

Sunday, July 5th at Rocky Point State Park (Photo Courtesy Of My Husband)

Pretty sure it was unveiled officially last week. We visited on Sunday and have to say I was pleasantly surprised to see how beautiful of a structure it is. Frankly it looks like something you might find in the capital city or elsewhere in NE. With so many of us spending more time outside this year (thanks to COVID), public spaces such as this are incredibly important. That being said, there were quite a few families and couples exploring the park and pier the day we were there, but it was still fairly easy to distance and we had our masks on almost the entire time. I also adore the built-in benches (photo below) near the entrance. If, like me, you don’t fish, they are perfect for catching some rays of sun or having someone take your photo for Instagram.

Sunday, July 5th at Rocky Point State Park (Photo Courtesy Of My Husband)

There’s even a sign that talks about how there used to be a pier in the same exact spot that was ultimately done in by the big hurricanes that hit the state, first in 1938 and then in ‘54. It was apparently reconstructed later, but it sounds as though it fell out of fashion, and into serious disrepair, once cars came on the scene in a really big way in the Ocean State. (If I had to guess, I’d say after the one in 1954, Hurricane Carol.)

Sunday, July 5th at Rocky Point State Park

Of course you can check it out for yourself when you go (which I highly recommend), but let me just also say that I was thrilled to see additional signage on the grounds that speaks to its former life as Rocky Point Amusement Park. Hooray! There’s one marking the spot where the famous Saltwater Pool (🎵 Ride the rides and get cool in our salt water pool…It’s the place for family fun…we’ve got your summer at Rocky Point! 🎶 ) was and another that gives the history of the mysterious Arch.

If this sounds like a fantastic way to spend an hour or two this season, simply pop Rocky Point State Park into the gps or maps app on your phone and motor over.