Kathleen Donovan,GRI,CBR,SRES South County,RI Residential Specialist

Ocean Ridge in South County, RI

Ocean Ridge is a saltwater front community located to the south of Route 1 on the town line between Charlestown and South Kingstown, RI. The neighborhood is comprised of approximately 700 residential dwellings with association deeded access to a 3 acre parcel on Green Hill Pond.

The neighborhood is a popular vacation and rental area due to the access to Green Hill Pond with a large parking area, beach, canoe/kayak racks, and a brand new 20 boat capacity marina constructed this past spring. Access to the 3 acre pond is available to all resident owners via membership to the Ocean Ridge Civic Association. Annual dues for 2010-2011 year are $55.00, making the neighborhood a most affordable option for salt water enthusiasts.

ORCA, (Ocean Ridge Civic Association), is an active association which promotes continued enhancement to the 3 acre parcel of water front, and to the community by supporting the local food pantry and the Salt Pond Coalition. Members enjoy the ORCA clubhouse and Summer Social events, 2 boat launches, private beach and parking at "Little Beach", kayak and canoe racks, and a new marina with current capacity for 20 boats.

Residential dwellings are mainly modest in size; ranging from 600-2,000 +/- square feet, with the average lot size at 5,000 square feet. The median home price in the area is currently reported to be $247,000 per local MLS data. There are currently 22 homes for sale in the neighborhood, ranging in price from $185,000 - $399,000, making Ocean Ridge in South County, RI an attractive neighborhood for first time home and investor buyers.

To the west of Cross Mills village and south of Old Post Road is where you will find the historic site of Fort Ninigret.

Archaeological findings prove that the site was once occupied due to the many artifacts that were excavated here, including items of both Native American and European origin. The cannon and sword found at the site are preserved by the Rhode Island Historical Society in Providence.

The outline of the fort is marked by railings which show the fort footprint to be mainly rectangular and measured 152' length by 137' width. Of interest are the corners of the footprint which end in 5-sided bastions, with the exception of the corner directly facing the water. Theories regarding the style of the fort are attributed to either early Dutch or Portuguese settlers, or of Native Americans.

The site was added to to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This memorial to the the Narragansett and Niantic Tribes was dedicated by the state when the state declared the tribes extinct in the 1880's. The remains of the fort were outlined by iron fence and an inscribed boulder was placed inside the footprint of the fort.

Ironically, the Federal Government officially recognized the Narragansetts as a tribe in the early 1980's, and the site is now maintained by the Charlestown Historical Society and the State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

The site is located at the end of Fort Ninigret Road, high on a bluff overlooking Ninigret Pond. Few people know much about it's location and history. Parking is limited and there is no access to the pond.

It's a tough one to sound out, for sure, but I will break it down for you: "quonnuh-kon-tog", oh my, that's too hard; so we just call it Quonnie!

Where is this place known as Quonochontaug, RI ??

Nestled along the oceanfront shoreline in the town of Charlestown, RI, not too far east of the Westerly line, is where this little gem of a vacation beach community is hidden.

Quonochontaug is comprised of the 3 smaller sub-communities of West Beach, Central Beach, and East Beach, and is nestled between the salt water ponds of Ninigret and Quonochontaug, and their barrier beaches on Block Island Sound.

This area was a popular resort destination back before the hurricane of 1938 with hotels and boarding-houses. Today, the 3 communities are comprised mainly of private residential vacation homes.

Public access to the pristine and protected coastal areas within this community can be found at the end of West Beach Road at the Quonochontaug Breachway Fishing Area on Quonnie Pond. This area is comprised of 49 acres of state land with a small parking area and boat launch on the swift running breachway.

The undeveloped 3 miles of barrier beach at East Beach, and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge; an 868 acre parcel with fishing, bird watching, and a canoe/kayak launch are located off the end of East Beach Road.

There is no public access to Central Beach; a most coveted community for this reason.

This hidden jewel in Charlestown, RI is well worth a visit and, now that you know how to pronounce it, just go ahead and call it Quonnie...

Sand Hill Cove beach in Narragansett, RI--Where is it ??

Looking for tips on area beaches while visiting Narragansett, RI ??

If you are a recent visitor, new to the area, or just not a "local", you may have heard folks talking about the beautiful beach at Sand Hill Cove. You've driven around all of the area beaches, but no beach is marked with such a name...where is it ??

Well, Sand Hill Cove beach was renamed in a dedication ceremony on August 15th, 1970 to honor the life of Captain Roger W. Wheeler, who is responsible for the development of the R.I. State Life Saving System.

Roger W. Wheeler is one of 3 State Beaches within the town of Narragansett and is located at 100 Sand Hill Cove Road, between the Point Judith lighthouse and the fishing port of Galilee. This 27 acre beach is known for it's soft, fine sand and calm waters which are protected by the break walls within the Harbor of Refuge.

Sand Hill Cove is a popular beach and vacation destination for families with young children as there is no rough surf or heavy undertow. There is also a small playground area near the modern pavilion for snacks, a changing area, showers, and restrooms. All of the State Beaches in RI are smoke-free, and pets are not allowed from April 1st through September 30th.

I love this beach because I am not one to sit and bake in the sun all day. There are always boats and the Block Island ferries to watch coming in and out of the harbor, and it's a great walk along the shore line down to George's Restaurant outdoor deck and Salty Brine State Beach in Galilee. Just be respectful of the private beach areas as you stroll down to Galilee along the shoreline-- (private beaches typically start at the high tide mark).

My children grew up on this beach and it remains my favorite in Narragansett to this day. You can find me nestled up along a sand dune in the off-season with a blanket and a book, and playing in the water and building sand castles with my grandson in the summer, (whenever I get the chance, that is).

So, now you know where this little gem is; Sand Hill Cove beach in Narragansett, RI !