Riverside Crescent Park
East Providence, RI

There is no swimming here even though they have taken steps to clean up the water. In the early 1900's it was a real popular place to swim. They even had a pier and beach houses. There are a lot of people who fish here now. On our last visit to Crescent Park, we noticed they are totally renovating it again.

There used to be an amusement park to the East of the grounds that you see in the bottom picture, but they built condos where the park was. The only thing left now is the Looff Carousel, built in 1895. Unfortunately is was off season the last time we were there, so it was closed.

But now that it's summer, for 75 cents, you can still catch the brass rings and toss them into the clown's mouth as you swirl around on the beautifully carved wooden horses. If you get the gold ring don't toss it because you'll get a free ride. Lots of fun for the young and young at heart. It really makes you wish the Riverside Amusement Park was still there for all to enjoy.

View some pictures of a Looff Carousel on the New Haven CT Lighthouse Point page. View the Old Crescent Park Riverside RI slideshow

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 95 to Providence, take Interstate 195 south, Exit the Taunton 44/Riverside exit 4 and keep to the right. Follow it all the way till you see the carousel on the left. The parking lot is just past the carousel on the right.