Rhode Island’s Acclaimed Website ExploreRI Gets Bigger + Better
Monday, March 11, 2013
Clear and beautiful paddling and hiking maps like this one are among the many natural treasures available online at ExploreRI.org's new and expanded website.
“This is a multi-year effort by Rhode Island Blueways Alliance and the Rhode Island Land Trust Council working with volunteers and nonprofits to develop this comprehensive resource,” said Council Director Rupert Friday. “We have two key goals: one, to showcase and promote the amazing outdoor recreational opportunities in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts – places where people can take a walk or go paddling. And two, strengthen conservation of these resources.”
Interactive maps allow hikers to plan trip, A to Z
ExploreRI.org’s new interactive mapping system allows users to scan the state, then read detailed information on selected trails of interest. “That includes 25 different trail systems right now, and we plan to add a lot more,” Friday said.
The information about the trails was gathered in partnership with the local land trusts that manage these trails, so it comes directly from the people who know the trail systems the best.
The enhanced Google-based mapping system shows paddle routes as clickable lines that open a map and description. A user can also highlight the boat put-ins along a route.
“New” ExploreRI.org offers 20 more paddle trips
Just as all the land trail data were gathered in partnership with land trusts, “The Blueways Alliance worked with every watershed group in the state to develop detailed map guides for the 20 new paddle trips,” said Meg Kerr, a board member and founder of the Alliance.
“These trips are suitable for paddlers at all levels,” she said. “Novice paddlers should especially appreciate safety tips and links to outfitters.” Kerr particularly thanked The Rhode Island Foundation for funding and the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program for staff support.
Kerr said ExploreRI.org now includes more than 200 sites for launching hand-carried boats such as canoes and kayaks. “Some are on salt water and some on fresh, some are on lakes and some are on rivers, some are in the most rural and wild parts of the state and some are in or near Providence, Worcester, Taunton, Newport, and Westerly, and even out on Block Island,” she said.
Coming soon: Events calendar
In the coming month (but not at launching), ExploreRI.org will also have a rich calendar of events and outdoor activities sponsored by member organizations, Friday said. First among those should be Paddle13: a series of summer paddle trips organized by watershed groups throughout the state; and Land Trust Days: outdoor activities during August and September). Registration information will be provided.
For more, go explore ExploreRI.org.
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