Block Island has been awarded a $47,000 grant from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to improve beach access and parking at Andy’s Way.
The funding was part of a $5.7 million package designed to “support healthy communities and promoting outdoor recreation when the state economy begins to reopen,” according to a press release issued by the DEM.
“As I announced this week, I am prioritizing reopening state parks, beaches and recreation areas in the first phase of getting back to a new normal,” said Gov. Gina Raimondo. “The COVID-19 crisis has shown how critical the outdoors, exercise, sunshine, and fresh are for people’s well-being.” The grants are funded through 2018 Green Economy and Clean Water Bond proceeds, according to the release.
“We’re very excited about that project,” said Town Finance Director Amy Land.
When asked how the funds are disbursed, Land said, “DEM Recreation grants are generally reimbursement grants where we spend and they reimburse either along the way or at the end.”
Sven Risom, Chair of the Committee for the Great Salt Pond , said the project was borne out of work done by the Beach Access Working
