Pleasant Valley Parkway

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Pleasant Valley Parkway is a beautiful park located in the state of Rhode Island.


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Summary

There are several good reasons to visit this park, including its scenic beauty and its array of recreational activities. The park boasts many walking and biking trails, as well as picnic areas and playgrounds. Visitors can also take advantage of the park's tennis and basketball courts.

Some specific points of interest to see in Pleasant Valley Parkway include the Looff Carousel, which was built in 1895 and is one of only a few remaining carousels in the world with a brass ring dispenser. Visitors can also explore the park's ponds and streams, which are home to a variety of wildlife.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Pleasant Valley Parkway was originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect who designed New York City's Central Park. Additionally, the park was once the site of an amusement park in the early 20th century.

The best time of year to visit Pleasant Valley Parkway is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the park is bustling with activity. However, visitors can also enjoy the park's beauty during the fall, when the leaves change color and provide a stunning backdrop for outdoor activities.

Overall, Pleasant Valley Parkway is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the state of Rhode Island. With its natural beauty, rich history, and array of recreational activities, it's the perfect destination for families, couples, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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