When the 1964-65 World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York ended, many of the futuristic exhibits that wowed millions were dismantled or scrapped. Some, like the “Carousel of Progress” and “It’s a Small World” displays went on to find new life at Disney World. Others, like a giant arch, came to Rocky Point Park.

General Mills, the global food company, contributed 11 “Peace Through Understanding” parabolic arches to the New York World's Fair. Each, about 60 feet tall, were strategically placed across the exhibition’s 646 acres. Their height and unique design made the arches easy to find and were promoted as meeting places for visitors.

While it’s not known with certainty how the arch located at Rocky Point actually got there, it’s believed to have been brought in during the late 1960s or early 1970s by either Vincent Ferla or Alvin Cohen, both of whom had ownership interest in the park during the time. Facing south and overlooking Narragansett Bay, it served as an entrance/exit to the amusement park during its heyday.

It’s estimated that only four of the original 11 arches remain, the rest being lost to history.

The arch is one of the few remaining items from the amusement park left behind by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) after the site’s cleanup in 2014. Time has not been kind to the arch. During the roughly 20 years that the park was closed after owners filed for bankruptcy, the elements found their way inside the metallic structure, creating holes and long streaks of rust throughout. Vandals have also left signatures on the icon as well.

But thanks to the Rhode Island Foundation, which is commemorating 100 years since its founding, the Rocky Point Arch will soon get a makeover. At a press conference held at Rocky Point Thursday, the foundation celebrated its plans to enhance each of Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns by funding projects throughout the state, including painting the structure. 

Called the Centennial Community Grants, which range between $5,000 and $15,000, the Foundation intends to assist communities with a diverse range of projects including improvements to parks, streetscapes and other public spaces, among others.  

“Our work today would not be possible without the visionaries who came before us, the donors who generously invest in Rhode Island and the community leaders who put these resources into action,” said Neil Steinberg, president and CEO of the foundation.

The Rocky Point Foundation, which helped secure the funding to turn Rocky Point into a state park, received $5,620 from their grant application to restore the Rocky Point arch. Partnering with the Warwick Department of Public Works and the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, rust and lead paint will be removed and the structure will be repainted and fully restored. The grant supplemented with funds raised by the chamber will buy paint and rent a lift. The city’s Department of Public Works will clean and paint the arch.        

“Members of the community have frequently, via social media and other means, called for the arch's revitalization. As Rocky Point's renewal as a recreational resource continues, we hope through this project to preserve this significant piece of the park's rich past,” said John Howell, president of the Rocky Point Foundation.

Added Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, “It really does mean so much to this community to reinvest in making this an incredible infrastructure asset for the city of Warwick and the state of Rhode Island.”

Also celebrated at the event was a $12,300 grant to the Warwick Public Library to provide library material to homebound residents. The library anticipates 1,000 mailings in the program’s first year to Warwick residents who are unable to travel to the library due to age or disability.

“Within our community are many people who are homebound, either because of age or infirmity. We want them to be able to enjoy the library's offerings and be made participants in the whole Warwick community,” said Chris La Roux, the library’s director.

A ceremonial painting of the base of the arch followed the conference. Individualized Rocky Point-themed paintbrushes painted by Hoxsie School fourth, fifth and sixth graders were given as souvenirs to dignitaries. Architect Mark Saccoccio provided a brief history of the arch and offered several alternatives for painting the arch that reflect its rich history and the prospect of becoming a park and state icon.

While a color scheme and timetable for completion of the work have yet to be finalized, examples of what the repainted arch could look like were on display. Based on attendee feedback, however, a red, white, and blue schematic, which has a similar look to a “Rocket Popsicle” was the crowd favorite.