Cricket Field Planting Day Brings Community Together in Johnston
On Saturday, October 18, 2025, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) hosted a joyful volunteer day at Cricket Field in Johnston, planting daffodil bulbs and caring for the park’s greenery. Over 2,500 daffodil bulbs were planted alongside the outer fence and throughout the park’s shrubbery, promising a bright spring display.
The volunteer turnout included 10 adults and 2 youth, joined our staff. Long-time volunteers Mike and Joe were also on hand—Joe, a neighbor, even helped design the park years ago. Special shout-outs to Melissa, partner and friend from 15 Minute Field Trips, for lending her support.
As volunteers dug in, some community members shared concerns about flooding, stream bank erosion, and potential soil safety at Cricket Field. WRWC staff explained that urban soils in Rhode Island’s riverside parks can contain low-level “urban background” contaminants from past industrial activity. While trace contaminants exist, they generally do not pose health risks when proper precautions are followed. Volunteers were encouraged to wear gloves, long pants, and closed-toe shoes, wash hands after working with soil, and supervise children closely.
Cricket Field is a true neighborhood gem. This 2.6-acre park, linking Johnston and North Providence, has been transformed from a former abandoned lot into a thriving green space with walking trails, wetlands boardwalks, native plantings, and historic markers. Its story stretches back to the early 1900s, when mill workers played cricket and held community events on the grounds—a legacy WRWC continues to honor through restoration and community engagement.
Since the early 2000s, WRWC has worked with local residents and partners to restore Cricket Field, culminating in a $1.2 million renovation in 2014, adding trails, a gazebo, wetlands boardwalk, and interpretive signage. The planting day reflects this ongoing commitment: cultivating the park, strengthening the community, and celebrating the shared history along the Woonasquatucket River.
With spring on the horizon, the 2,500 newly planted daffodils will bloom as a cheerful reminder of what volunteers, staff, and neighbors can accomplish together. Cricket Field continues to grow as a space for recreation, learning, and connection—proof that care, collaboration, and community spirit can transform our urban landscapes.