Archives for August 2014

Advanced Moves: A Cove, A Kayak Ride, and the Best Hidden Bar in Warren

By E.A. Mann

Advanced Moves shines a light on the smaller, lesser-known joys of living in Warren.

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For almost ten years I’ve lived down the street from Belcher’s Cove. In a realty listing, I would surely lie and say that I have a water view. Which I do…if I open my upstairs front window and lean out a bit.

But despite this panoramic oceanfront view, for years I never knew how to actually get to the cove. The strip of Market Street I live near doesn’t have any public access that I know of, and trespassing isn’t in my plans. One early summer night, with the sun setting and the cove smooth as glass, I saw a kayaker calmly paddling around. I grabbed my wife, pointed toward the kayaker and said, “I want to be that guy!”

The cove from near my house. So close, yet so far!
The cove from near my house. So close, yet so far!

 

Eventually I found my way to John Pesce Memorial Park, a calm spot to watch the water or drop in a kayak. From here, you can paddle right until you hit Market Street or go left as far as Swansea. You’ll rarely see another boat. For bonus points, find the small island twenty minutes north of Pesce Park, land your boat and pretend you’ve been stranded at sea. The island is a hundred or so feet across with a few trees and traces of illicit high school drinking. Ah, memories.

The boat launch at Pesce Park
The boat launch at Pesce Park

Your seafaring complete, stop in at the German American Club that abuts the park. This gem might own the best piece of real estate in Warren. It’s a private club, but be nice to the members (read: buy them drinks) and they may sign you in as a guest. And don’t worry about your lack of German blood; this full-blooded Italian was welcomed with open arms. After a half an hour there, you’ll be asking everyone in view how to become a member.

I took my first few trips with a kayak I rented from Steve’s Marine (this could be its own post) but I’ve since bought my own inexpensive vessel which I’ve christened The Ocean State Job Yacht. I’m ashamed it took me eight years of living in Warren before I went out on the water. I can’t recommend it highly enough. If you see me at Pesce Park with your own boat, give me a wave. I’ll show you the island.

Got an Advanced Move? Message the Discover Warren page or share it in the comments.

A Hidden Gem in Warren

It is no secret that Warren has a vibrant culture and is populated with a distinct group of people. Yet, the town’s diversity begins first with its physicality. It is only a short walk from the shops and restaurants of Main and Water Streets to the East Bay Bike Path, which allows residents and visitors an intimate look at Rhode Island’s environment. Right alongside the path is the Jacob’s Point Salt Marsh, which plays an important role of which many residents are unaware.

Jacob's Point Salt Marsh
Jacob’s Point Salt Marsh

A type of wetland situated between ocean and land, a salt marsh sustains many different types of plants and is one of the more productive of ecosystems. Warren’s Jacob’s Point Salt Marsh borders the bike path and measures 47 acres along the Warren River. It is one of many that are monitored closely by Save The Bay as part of their marsh restoration programs. Restoration includes strict water quality monitoring, as well as combatting invasive species that attempt to take over the marsh. Different types of plants can endure different levels of salinity, so keeping track of the levels of salinity is key step in protecting the salt marsh.

jacobs point
The view of the water from the marsh

Salt marshes are a crucial part of any coastal area as they help to filter run off water and provide protection from various threats, such as storm surge or erosion, as well as offer support for different types of fish and plant species.

This is just another part of the town that makes it so special. The beauty of Warren is that it is so many different types of places wrapped into one town. Warren may be a small town in the tiniest state, but it surely is unique.

– Annabelle Everett

A native of Rhode Island, Annabelle is a summer intern for Discover Warren. She studies Writing & Rhetoric at Hobart & William Smith Colleges.

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