JOINT RESOLUTION MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $3,500,000 FOR THE MESHANTICUT LAKE PAVED WALKING PATH IN CRANSTON (Authorizes the appropriation of the sum of $3,500,000 for the Meshanticut Lake paved walking path in Cranston.)

H7812

2026 -- H 7812
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LC004695
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $3,500,000 FOR THE MESHANTICUT LAKE PAVED
WALKING PATH IN CRANSTON

Introduced By:
Representatives Paplauskas, Potter, Fascia, Quattrocchi, Bennett, Handy,
McNamara, and Lima

Date Introduced:
February 12, 2026

Referred To:
House Finance
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WHEREAS, Meshanticut Lake, located within Cranston, is the focal point of
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Meshanticut State Park, a beloved public park that boasts a paved walking path that encircles the
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12-acre lake; and
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WHEREAS, In 1910, John M. Dean donated Meshanticut Park and its lake to the
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Metropolitan Park Commission, coinciding with Cranston's transition from a town to a city. The
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Metropolitan Park Commission, established in the early 1900s, was responsible for acquiring and
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managing parklands in Rhode Island; and
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WHEREAS, The State's park system expanded, and the management of these parks,
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including Meshanticut Park which was purchased by the State of Rhode Island for $600, was
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integrated into the Department of Environmental Management (DEM). This transition ensured
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that Meshanticut Park became part of the State's portfolio of recreational areas, preserving it for
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public use and enjoyment; and
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WHEREAS, In 2021, the DEM estimated that addressing infrastructure needs at the
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park—including road repairs, erosion control, tree maintenance, and bench installations—would
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require an investment of between $2 million and $2.5 million; and
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WHEREAS, Cranston, home to 82,000+ people, is the second-largest city within the
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State of Rhode Island, and Meshanticut Lake walking path is an important recreational amenity
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enjoyed by its diverse community; and
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WHEREAS, The paved walking path is highly utilized by thousands of individuals of all

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ages for activities such as walking, running, cycling, and dog walking, promoting health, well-
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being, recreation, and community engagement; and
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WHEREAS, Local youth athletes, including students from Cranston High School West,
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Cranston High School East, Western Hills Middle School, and participants in the Cranston
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League for Cranston’s Future (CLCF) youth programs, regularly use the path for training and
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conditioning, contributing to their physical development and team-building experiences; and
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WHEREAS, Years of use causing wear and tear, extreme weather conditions, and lack of
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maintenance have caused cracks, uneven terrain, and hazardous conditions along the paved path,
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posing safety risks to users and detracting from the park’s overall appeal; and
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WHEREAS, Investing in the restoration and improvement of the pedestrian pathway;
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including, but not limited to, resurfacing and structural reinforcements, is essential to ensure safe
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and equitable access for all members of the community, including individuals with mobility
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impairments; and
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WHEREAS, Such upgrades will improve Cranston residents’ quality of life, support local
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youth athletic programs, and preserve the park as a vital suburban green space for all Rhode
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Island residents; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not
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otherwise appropriated for the fiscal year 2026-2027, the sum of three million five hundred
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thousand dollars ($3,500,000) to restore and enhance the Meshanticut Lake paved walking path,
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ensuring it remains a safe and accessible resource for all users; and the state controller is hereby
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authorized and directed to draw their orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of said
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sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon receipt of properly
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authenticated vouchers; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That members of the public are encouraged to participate in the upcoming
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hearing to voice their support for this critical community investment.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF $3,500,000 FOR THE MESHANTICUT LAKE PAVED
WALKING PATH IN CRANSTON
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This resolution would authorize the appropriation of the sum of $3,500,000 for the
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Meshanticut Lake paved walking path in Cranston.
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