Bike into the Past on the Woonasquatucket River Greenway

Join the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 10:00am for a guided bike ride exploring settlement, industry, and recreation along the Woonasquatucket River Greenway.

From 10:00am–11:00am, we’ll meet at WRWC at Eagle Square (45 Eagle St, Suite 202) and take an easy ride up the Greenway with some stops along the way. We'll bike to Johnston where we'll have a guided tour of the Clemence-Irons, the distinctive 1691 stone-ender home owned and managed by Historic New England. After the tour, we’ll set out on an easy ride back to our starting point in Providence. Along the way, historian Sarah Zurier from the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission will share stories of the river’s history, from the 17th century to today. Highlights include Riverside Park, Dyerville Mill, and more!

As Zurier explains, “The Watershed Council’s programs make important connections between environment, history, and recreation. As you pedal through the watershed, you understand how communities are linked by the river.”

The cost is sliding scale $10–$30 if you bring your own bike, or you can reserve a WRWC bike in advance to use for the trip. Register by Friday 9/12 at 12pm to reserve a bike. Helmets are required for all participants.

Accessibility:

There are no bathrooms on site at Clemence Irons. We can access the bathroom if needed at the WRWC office. From the Clemence Irons website: "Tour involves standing, walking, and stairs. Visitors with limited mobility may be able to enjoy a first floor tour of the house. Folding chairs are provided for visitors who would like to use them while on tour. The site is not equipped with ramps, elevators, or lifts. There is no public restroom and the house is not air-conditioned. Service animals are welcome. We are happy to work with you to make your visit an enjoyable one and we encourage visitors with questions or requests to call ahead."

Info: This is easy, 8-mile ride round trip with stops along the Greenway. Along the way, historian Sarah Zurier from the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission will share stories of the river’s history, from the 17th century to today. Highlights include Riverside Park, Dyerville Mill, and more.

Info: Clemence-Irons House is both one of the oldest houses in the Ocean State and an important record of twentieth-century restoration methods. Built by Richard Clemence in 1691, it is a rare surviving example of a stone-ender, a once common building type with roots in western England. Passing through a series of owners over hundreds of years, the house grew to thirteen rooms by 1938.

Host or Publisher Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council