The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management recently awarded $5.79 million in recreational grants to 21 towns in Rhode Island, including $230,745 to Barrington for improvements at Walker Farm.

The matching grant will help officials expand the gravel parking lot, construct an accessible walkway to a new boat launch, and improve shore access for kayakers and rowers. The grant, which is considered a large DEM grant, will also pay for a new platform next to the dock, new benches, educational signs and some plantings.

Barrington officials have been planning the Walker Farm improvements for months. Town officials discussed the Walker Farm project during the Dec. 2019 council meeting.

Officials said the work was crucial to helping the Walker Farm area cope with seal level rise.

One of the key upgrades is the reconstruction of the access road. Officials plan to raise up the gravel road by about eight inches. That would prevent the road from being flooded out during high-tide events. Climate change and rising sea level have a direct impact on Walker Farm, said officials, as the town-owned property is located very close to sea level.

The project would allow for a portion of Walker Farm to be used for salt marsh migration, essentially constructing a flood-able park.

The plan also calls for the construction of a human-powered boat launch area in addition to the existing dock and boat ramp. The kayak and canoe launch would be ADA-compliant and feature guardrails "for easy access in and out of the water and a transfer bench for easy transfer from wheelchair to watercraft".

State officials spoke about the importance of recreation areas.

"As I announced this week, I am prioritizing reopening state parks, beaches, and recreation areas in the first phase of getting back to a new normal,” said RI Governor Gina Raimondo. “The COVID-19 crisis has shown us how critical the outdoors, exercise, sunshine, and fresh air are for people’s well-being.”

“The COVID-19 public health crisis has put an even sharper focus on the importance of public recreation areas and open spaces,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “We all cherish local parks, places to stroll, courts and fields on which to play sports, and inviting outdoor havens where families and friends can recreate and relax. DEM is very pleased to support communities in meeting their priorities for local outdoor recreation and to plan for the weeks and months ahead when these special places will be reopened.”

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