GoLocal Investigation: The Condition of Providence Parks and Recreation Facilities

GoLocal Investigation: The Condition of Providence Parks and Recreation Facilities

A new GoLocal investigative series examines the condition of Providence parks and recreation facilities.

Despite promises and press conferences, many of Providence’s taxpayer-funded spaces -- intended for public use -- are unmaintained, covered with trash, and in disrepair.

This week, GoLocal toured Hope High School, one of Providence’s high schools, which is used for recreation for much of Providence.

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High school games, youth leagues, and open recreation are all played at Hope High.

SEE PHOTOS BELOW

The facility includes open fields, a baseball field, a softball field, a running track around a football field, an outdoor basketball court, and eight tennis courts.

The playing fields are inferior to suburban schools and private schools, but the fields are cut and most of the worn areas have been patched.

The other recreation areas are in significant decay or are poorly maintained.

None of the conditions appear to be caused by misuse or vandalism, but are rather due to a lack of maintenance and regular upgrades by city and school officials.

The track -- the home of the storied Hope track team -- is seriously damaged.  Wear and tear havs created pitting on the track and at one end of the track, three of the lanes are covered in moss, making it unsafe at any speed.

The outdoor recreational basketball court has no nets and the court has multiple cracks with grass growing. The court is not maintained.

"Here’s my view. Recreation facilities in the city are vital to the youth. Those facilities are safe havens for them to exercise their bodies while finding clarity in their minds," said Anthony Sanders, a graduate of Hope High School and an All-State sprinter, who won 4x400 relays.

"Those spaces are a venue for youth to forge relationships and keep them away from negativity. If we can invest millions of dollars for visitors centers and streets, we can surely invest in our youth," added Sanders who is the founder and CEO of Awoken Premium Apparel.

 

Can Anything Be Done Right?

In 2020, GoLocal reported that the tennis courts at Hope High were resurfaced in 2019 at a cost of $75,357.

The courts were cracking after just a year -- much of that time the courts were unused as it was winter months and coronavirus lockdown. 

The company that was awarded the contract by the Board of Contract & Supply was J.G. Coffey Company, LLC of Bristol Rhode Island. The Board is chaired by Mayor Jorge Elorza. 

Now, two years later, five of the eight tennis courts have damage — cracks span many of the courts. The grass is growing in the cracks in some places.

 

 

Who Maintains Facility?

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) took over Providence Schools in 2019.  But, it does not take responsibility for the condition of the recreation facilities.

Victor Morente, spokesperson for RIDE told GoLocal in an email, “PPSD  [Providence Public School Department] manages the upkeep and maintenance of the grounds at Hope High School. They do this periodically to ensure the area is welcoming to visitors. A representative went out today and reported that the grounds are clean and clear of debris. With that said, we’re continuously evaluating school facility needs in general and making improvements.

While the state took over the schools, issues like maintenance and responsibility for performance have little accountability.

School committee members have repeatedly quit and in three years there have been three Providence superintendents. Presently, Dr. Javier Montañez serves in the position.

Providence School Department's Christopher Petisce, the Executive Director of Finance, did not respond to requests for the annual cost of maintenance of the facility.

NEXT WEEK: GoLocal will report on another facility.