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By BETH HURD
The Town of
part of
until 1759, almost 250 years ago. But Neutaconkanut Hill, which once fell
within
of
since its annexation in 1919.
Neutaconkanut, pronounced nu-ta-kon-ka-nut, comes from
the Narragansett term for "home of squirrels." Some 42 different
spellings of the name have been recorded in historical town documents. Now
called "one of
best kept secrets," the area has been preserved thanks to a small group of
dedicated volunteers called the Neutaconkanut Hill Association.
Elli Panichas, president, and Richard Fitzpatrick, a
member of the executive board, came to speak about their efforts at the
February meeting of the Johnston Historical Society on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Started back in the 1970s with a goal to fight
development and preserve the natural landscape of the hill, the group has been
rejuvenated in recent years, re-forming about two and a half years ago.
The area was part of the northern boundary of lands given
by Canonicus and Miantonomi to Roger Williams in 1636. Sometime after 1700, the
was laid out going west to
among its first settlers. A monument to the King family, erected in 1905, and
the remains of a bandstand where Sunday afternoon concerts were held, are among
the reminders of the hill's popular past.
"A lot of the [hand-built stone] walls were from the
King family, who were dairy farmers," said Panichas. Stone walls along
are still visible, but missing are the iron (or bronze – historians aren’t
sure) gates and a large ornate bronze sign which had read "The King
Homestead." Some neighbors had claimed the gates and sign were taken by
city workers over a decade ago, supposedly to be restored. Neither has been
seen since.
The area surrounding the King monument, created by Abbey,
the last of the King family, has been cleared out by volunteers. Benches have
been added and the iron fence is still visible.
The King family, including the notable Samuel Ward King,
who served as governor from 1840 to 1843, had once owned 200 acres of land
encompassing the hill. Most was eventually sold off in parcels and the
remaining land was given to the City of
after the death of the last family member.
The homestead had been entrusted to a caretaker, about
whom much speculation abounds. The estate fell to ruin, was later destroyed by
fire and was subsequently bulldozed. The site had also once been home to the
"
and several radio towers.
"This land has gone back and forth so many times
between Providence and Johnston, as did the Silver Lake section," said
Panichas, adding she was born and raised in Silver Lake, which was annexed from
Providence to Johnston in 1759, then back to Providence in 1898.
Panichas has lived near the hill for 36 years.
Located along
Street
the area now includes a park with playing fields, a swimming pool, water and
skate parks and a recreation center. The hill also has several miles of hiking
and walking trails, originally created by the WPA in the 1930s within 88 acres
of woodlands, some trails overlooking the site of the former Lombardi's 1025
Club.
A marker from the WPA is visible in the cement walks.
"The cement is still there, with no cracks and no
heaves," said Panichas. "The WPA did amazing things – just
amazing."
She is currently trying to find and research WPA records
for
The site was once home to several ski slopes, the pulley
towers and wheels for which can still be found. The steep slopes are still
popular for sledding. Retired local photographer Carmine DeBiasio has provided
the group with some old black and white photos of the area, which once held
skiing competitions.
According to the NHA, the elevation ranges between 250
and 296 feet above sea level and 25 percent of the state can be seen from its
summit. Photos taken from the top of the hill, currently being cleared for open
space, show the State House,
day, even the
far in the distance.
"Just spectacular views," said Panichas.
"It is indeed a forest, and it is a miracle that it's been
preserved."
To underscore her point, she listed some of the wildlife
often seen there, but seen in few other places in
"We try to take care of the overgrowth," said
Fitzpatrick of the surrounding oak/hickory forest.
The group has welcomed volunteers in its clean-up
efforts, including students from
Providence Cadets and members of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Other groups
have also helped with the preservation: notably the
Green and the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council. Support has also come
from local city officials and the Providence Parks Department.
The group received a $50,000 grant from DEM in 2006, and
a ribbon-cutting for the completion of the first phase was held in October
2007. Instrumental in the first phase were volunteers Robert Fitzpatrick, Lisa
Aurecchia and landscape architect Mike Lusi.
"It's unique to have all this land undeveloped in
Fitzpatrick, pointing out the hill is densely populated all around.
"It is so important to have all this green space,
for our psyches," added Panichas. "We're trying to get a geologist to
come in. I've been told the geological aspects of the park are unique."
Many in the group recalled a giant boulder at the top of
the hill that was blown up to relieve fears it would one day fall down the hill
and crush homes.
The property also has an underground water supply tank
and a small lake.
"We hope to get the pond in better shape by
diverting water," said Fitzpatrick.
"If anybody here is my age, you've ice-skated
there," added Panichas, referring to the lake.
The area continues to be hit hard by vandals; the wood
and plexiglass sign and map for the walking trails were recently destroyed. The
nearby skateboard park, playground and walls are often covered with graffiti.
Other damage to the trails is the result of ATVs and dirt-bike riders. Illegal
dumping, litter and even abandoned cars have been a continuous problem. Several
Camaros from the 1970s were buried so deep the group left them where they are,
winding the paths around them.
This is in addition to the eight that have been removed.
"We take care of the graffiti as best we can,"
said Fitzpatrick, who noted the City of
takes care of the bottom of the hill. "They are sympathetic."
Even as the group continues to fight development, new
Section 8 housing has been built nearby.
"Archeologists had wanted to start a dig there,
thinking it was once an Indian foundry," said Panichas. "We fought
it, but lost."
Panichas is doing a history of the hill and writing a
book, in addition to gathering oral histories. The book will be dedicated to
her father.
Anyone with historical anecdotes or photos from the area
is asked to contact Elli Panichas at ellip5@cox.net. The NHA welcomes new
members.
"We're novices at this, we've only been at this a
couple of years," said Panichas.
The group is currently in the process of applying for 501
(c) 3 status, to be able to accept tax-free donations.
"We just want to keep it a park, preserve it for
natural woodlands and save it from development," said Susan Fitzpatrick,
the group's secretary.
The park is open daily, from 7 a.m. to dusk, and is
patrolled by park rangers and Providence Police. Trails are clearly marked in
orange, red and blue (representing different difficulty ranges) and are from
one to three miles long. The group sponsors several guided walking tours of the
area each year, with one scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 12.
A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, April 13, but light rain won't postpone
the walk. Hikers are asked to dress appropriately, which includes wearing
proper footwear; bug and tick spray is also recommended.
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