is inside the Blackstone River State Park Visitor Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island. One of two framed information plaques in the hall, this is the southern display. It reads:
RHODE ISLAND, "THE OCEAN STATE"
Welcome to the Blackstone River State Park Visitor Center and the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Historic Corridor. We hope you will learn more about all the recreational opportunities available in Rhode Island and take a stroll to the beautiful and historic Blackstone River located nearby (½ mile in each direction).
Rhode Island is the second most urbanized state
in the union and Rhode Islanders have always
recognized the relationship between our state's
quality of life and the availability of public outdoor
recreation. The State through its Department of
Environmental Management (DEM) constantly strives
to provide a broad variety of high quality outdoor
recreational opportunity to its residents and visitors.
The DEM manages hundreds of recreational, cultural
and educational facilities in Rhode Island located on
approximately 60,000 acres of public land.
The high quality of Rhode Island's facilities is reflected
in the attendance of over 6 million visitors per year.
Because many of these state facilities are located close
to urban areas, urban residents can walk or take a
short ride to reach them. Many facilities can also be
accessed via Rhode Island public transportation.
A range of recreational activities are offered to both
residents and visitors at saltwater and freshwater
beaches, state parks, scenic areas, historic monuments,
parkways and over 30 miles of paved off-road bike
paths. Historic buildings, farms, lighthouses, military
forts and battle fields provide a historical and cultural
backdrop to many of the State's public parks and
open spaces. Popular activities and amenities include:
fishing, boating, sailing, picnicking, salt water and
fresh water swimming, campsites, hundreds of miles
of bridle trails, golf courses, tennis and basketball
courts, historical, naturalist and cultural interpretive
programs, concerts, and other public events.
The Newport Jazz Festival, a national musical
treasure, is held annually at the historic Fort Adams
State Park in Newport, Rhode Island. In addition
the Department manages over 70,000 acres of forest,
farmland and open space, available to all for hiking,
biking, bird watching and all forms of passive
recreation.
For additional information on amenities available at
state parks, beaches and management areas in Rhode
Island, access the DEM's web site at www.dem.ri.gov
Seven color photographs accompany the text and show sights from around the state. Clockwise from the top center, the images are captioned: Blackstone River Bikeway; Newport Jazz Festival, Fort Adams; Burlingame Campground; Saltwater Coastal Fishing; East Matunuck Beach; Beavertail State Park; and Fishing on the Blackstone.