It’s Valentine’s Day! Here’s what the DPPC loves about our parks.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be just for the lovers, it’s the perfect opportunity to focus on what we love about our downtown community. At the DPPC, that’s our parks!

What do you love in the parks during the winter? We have more than we can name, but here are our top 5:

Hawk sightings
With the leaves off the trees this time of year, it’s so much easier to see the birds and raptors that share the neighborhood with us. Take a few minutes and look up, see if you can see any sitting high above us. You’ll know the Red-Tailed Hawk when you see it. Stop and watch. You might just be lucky enough to see it take flight. For more photos of urban wildlife, check out the incredible images by Providence Raptors.
Snow covered statues
This hasn’t been a particularly snowy winter, which makes it all the more special when it does snow. Stroll around the neighborhood, see how the city is transformed, particularly the statues and monuments that we walk past every day. Feel like learning a bit more about these statues? Check out our self-guided tour.
Ice skating in the sun
Not sure where the Alex + Ani City Center is? Just follow the music and you’ll find a rink full of students from a nearby school, adorable wee ones pushing a penguin to help them learn to skate, or people getting some exercise on their lunch break. It also happens to be our pick for the perfect place for a Valentine’s Day date with your sweetie.
Burnside Park’s new lights
Have you noticed the new lights that went up in Burnside Park? Another project that we worked on here at the DPPC, the lights go on at dusk and turn off at midnight. A regular stream of commuters and residents walk through Burnside Park each evening, which can be a bit dark in these short winter months. The lights will stay up year round, and are making the park a bit brighter and more welcoming.
The generosity of the people of Providence
Late last year we launched a fundraiser for one of our big 2017 projects, the restoration of the Soldiers & Sailors Monument. We are so energized by the enthusiasm we have received with the announcement of the project in the Projo, and by the generous donations that have started to come in. If you’d like to make a donation and be part of this historic restoration, please donate today!