New Green Link Path Opens Today at Roger Williams Park

Providence, RI · July 16, 2026

The humidity is holding steady, but the new shade trees along the Elmwood corridor are finally doing their job. If you are heading toward the park today, the ribbon-cutting at 10:00 AM marks the official end of the sidewalk detours.

📰 The Lead

After eighteen months of orange cones and sidewalk closures, the Green Link is officially open. This two-mile stretch of protected bike lanes and widened pedestrian paths now provides a seamless, verdant connection between the Upper South Side and the main gates of Roger Williams Park. For residents who previously had to navigate the narrow, high-traffic bottlenecks of Elmwood Avenue, the change is transformative.

The project includes four new "pocket forests" designed to mitigate urban heat, alongside improved lighting for evening commuters. City planners expect the path to see heavy use this weekend as the summer heatwave continues. While some local business owners initially worried about the loss of street parking, the new foot traffic is already bringing a visible boost to the cafes near the park entrance. The final landscaping crews are packing up their gear this morning.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • Kennedy Plaza Bus Berth Shifts — Starting at noon, three bus berths are shifting to accommodate the fountain repair project.

  • Short-Term Rental Public Hearing — The City Council meets at 6:00 PM to discuss new permit caps for non-owner-occupied units.

  • Olneyville Mural Unveiling — A new three-story mural celebrating the neighborhood’s textile history will be revealed on Manton Avenue this afternoon.

☁️ Today's Outlook

  • High 90°F · Low 65°F — Overcast
    • It’s a heavy air day, so keep the hydration high and the pace slow.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Movies on the Block — Grant’s Block, 8:00 PM Catch a screening of "The Goonies" under the stars—bring a lawn chair.

  • Burnside Park Beer Garden — Kennedy Plaza, 4:30–7:30 PM Local brews and live music in the heart of the city.

  • Federal Hill Al Fresco — Atwells Avenue, 5:00 PM Street dining returns with live accordion music and plenty of calamari.

  • Pawtucket: McCoy Summer League — McCoy Stadium, 6:30 PM A short drive for classic ballpark vibes and five-dollar bleacher seats.

  • Gallery Night Providence — Graduate Hotel (Departure), 5:00–9:00 PM Free trolley tours depart to explore local studios and hidden galleries.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • The Steel Yard
    • Once a derelict industrial site, this non-profit now serves as a hub for metalworking and public art. Look closely at the city’s trash cans and benches; many were forged right here in the Valley neighborhood by local apprentices.

Providence Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

Sent with care by MailerDot — your city, every morning.

More Providence editions → · Subscribe →