Maps and Photos on AllTrails.com
Canonchet Farm Trail
Gansett Loop Trail
More Maps and Guides
Watch a short film on Habitat Restoration at Lake Canonchet
On Protecting Canonchet #1
The Master Plan
On Protecting Canonchet #2
Appropriate Uses
On Protecting Canonchet #3
Management of the Park
On Protecting Canonchet #4
Finance Issues
Photos:
Cleanup at Lake Canonchet
September 10, 2011
Charlie Lee Remembrance
February 6, 2011
Canonchet History
Who was Canonchet?
by Richard Vangermeersch
Canonchet Farm Master Plan
Town Council Holds Workshop on Planning Board Report
Our Response
October 21, 2010
Our Vision and Recommendations for Canonchet Farm
April 2009
Pictures
Guided Walks Fall 2010
Beech Grove Cleanup Complete
Cleanup - Day 4
October 31, 2009
Beech Grove
Cleanup - Day 2
October 9, 2009
Tom Wessels
Guided Walk
October 10, 2009
Other Links
Narrow River Preservation Association
Posted September 16, 2026
2026 Fall Guided Walks
Check out these guided walks on Canonchet Farm, each an enjoyable and an informative way to spend a fall afternoon in Narragansett. As always, Canonchet Farm walks are free and open to the public.
Sunday, October 4, 1:00 to 2:30
Canonchet Geology Rocks!
From roche moutonnees to rock walls, public geoscience education connects the community with its surroundings.
Join URI Professor Beth Laliberte and Friends of Canonchet Farm President Tom Hoagland for a collaborative presentation by URI and the Friends of Canonchet Farm. The goal of this partnership is to enhance public scientific literacy and environmental stewardship.
After a brief presentation inside the South County Museum's Metz Building, there will be a guided trail walk to observe how local geologic features are explained for public education.
This walk is free and open to the public. You don't need a ticket. Just register and we will see you there!
Registration for the Canonchet walk opens on September 20 at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/canonchet-geology-rocks-tickets-2000281789679?aff=oddtdtcreator
This event is part of the New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference (NEIGC). For information about other FREE events October 2 to 4, 2026 please visit: |
Sunday, October 25, 1:00 to 2:30
Tom and Alan’s Semi-Annual
Trail Walk
Tom and Alan know EVERYTHING there is to know about Narragansett's Canonchet Farm Trail: Plant life, the history, the geology. You'll see the newly installed Three Sisters Garden and recently re-built historic stone walls.
Come out and enjoy this beautiful trail in the heart of Narragansett. Meet at the South County Museum Parking Lot. No need to print out a ticket. Just register and come.
Registration opens October 11 at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tom-and-alans-semi-annual-trail-walk-tickets-2000296959051?aff=oddtdtcreator
Sunday, November 15, 1:00 to 2:30
Historic Stonewalls on
Canonchet Farm
Join Friends of Canonchet Farm board member John Aucott for a presentation and trail walk exploring the historic stone walls of Canonchet Farm. John uncovered and researched several of these walls himself, and his clearing work has opened beautiful vistas of the Pettaquamscutt River. He'll talk about where the walls came from and what they were built to do, some of them dating back to the 1700’s.
John will cover the technical aspects of how stone walls were built: what keeps a wall standing, how stones are placed to lock together, why walls collapse, and why the old builders made the choices they did. Once you know what to look for, you see a wall differently. The event starts with a short presentation inside the Metz Building at the South County Museum, then moves outdoors to the walls themselves.
Part of the walk goes off trail over uneven ground, so wear hiking boots and long pants. Free and open to the public. No ticket to print a ticket. Just register and come.
Registration starts on November 1 at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/historic-stonewalls-at-canonchet-farm-tickets-2000310534656?aff=oddtdtcreator
Posted July 6, 2026
Congratulations to
Emma Annino and Ambujam Karuna Lohmann
on receiving the 2026
Kathie Kelleher Memorial Scholarships.
Posted May 15, 2026
NEW DATE: Sunday, May 31, 1:00 to 2:30
Our Beautiful Canonchet
Farm Trail
Tom Hoagland and Alan Woodmansee know EVERYTHING there is to know about Narragansett's Canonchet Farm Trail - the plant life, the history, the geology. They have it covered and, in the meantime, you will enjoy this beautiful trail in the heart of Narragansett.
Meet at the South County Museum Parking Lot. No need to print out a ticket. Just register and come on out.This walk is free and open to the public.
This walk was originally scheduled for May 24, but was postponed due to predicted rain.
Click this Eventbrite link to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/re-scheduled-canonchet-farm-trail-walk-tickets-1990209184245?aff=oddtdtcreator
Posted April 2, 2026; Updated April 21, 2026, May 4, 2026
2026 Spring Walks
Up Next - Sunday, Afternoon, May 17, 2:00 to 3:30
Spring Pollinators and Migrating
Birds Stopping By
Join Bruce Fellman, noted Naturalist, to soak up the sights and sounds of Canonchet. Explore vibrant blooms and the insects, from butterflies to bees and beetles to flower flies that pollinate them and catch the chirps and songs of all kinds of critters, especially the striking birds that may be stopping by during their annual May migration. It's a chance to connect with nature, enjoy the fresh air, and have a laid-back day outside. Bring your curiosity and maybe your camera and binoculars to capture the late-Spring action.
We will start with a brief introductory talk, illustrated with Bruce’s stunning photos and videos, inside the Metz Exhibit Hall at the South County Museum. Registration opens May 1. You don't need to print a ticket and the event is free.
To register, click on this Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-pollinator-and-migrant-walk-tickets-1985680007355?aff=oddtdtcreator
Saturday, April 25, 1:00 p.m. (Rain or Shine)
Vernal Pools at Canonchet
Join us for a fun in-person adventure exploring the unique vernal pools at Canonchet. Bruce Fellman, author of the Naturalist's Journal, will help us discover these seasonal wetlands and the frogs, toads, salamanders, and other creatures that call “wicked big puddles” home. Perfect for nature lovers and curious minds alike. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the great outdoors and learn something new.
We'll start with a brief introductory talk, illustrated with Bruce’s stunning photos and videos, inside the Metz Exhibit Hall at the South County Museum. Registration opens April 3. This event is free and open to the public. No need to print a ticket. To register click on this Eventbrite link:
Sunday Morning, April 26, 9:00 to 11:00
Audubon Comes to Canonchet
Join Rhode Island Audubon's Director of Properties, Laura Carberry, for a morning of bird watching. Whether you're a seasoned birder or simply curious, this event offers learning for everyone. Don't miss out on spending a morning surrounded by beautiful wildlife and great company. If you have binoculars, please bring them.
We'll meet in the parking lot at the South County Museum. Registration opens April 10. This event is free and open to the public. No need to print a ticket. Just register and come! To register, click this Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/audubon-comes-to-canonchet-tickets-1985681591092?aff=oddtdtcreator
Posted March 2, 2026 Kathie Kelleher
|
Kathie Kelleher loved nature and dedicated herself to preserving it. She started with a passion for bird watching - listening to countless hours of bird calls to hone her ear and traveling around the northeast on birding tours. Kathie was a founding member and President of the Friends of Canonchet Farm, a nature and ecological organization that works to protect the environment in a section of Narragansett, Rhode Island. She spent many joyful hours strategizing with other members to preserve a local wetland and forest, planning hikes, giving nature talks on walks, ripping out invasive plants, and helping others value nature's beauty and worth.Posted February 9, 2026
The Next On Pettaquamscutt Presentation:
It's The Tick Guy
Joins us on Sunday afternoon, February 22 at 1:00, at the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library when Dr. Thomas Mather, also known as the Tick Guy, talks about tick behavior (and misbehavior).
The Tick Guy is sponsored by Friends of Canonchet Farm.
Registration starts February 15.
See the Friends of Canonchet Farm Home Page in 2025.
See the Friends of Canonchet Farm Home Page in 2024.
See the Friends of Canonchet Farm Home Page in 2023.
THE FRIENDS OF CANONCHET FARM was created in 2007 by a group of Narragansett residents who recognized this forgotten parcel of land could be preserved as a natural space for the community to enjoy. The group has evolved into a partnership with the Town to provide funding and volunteers for enhancing the property. We are committed to help create a natural park for the enjoyment and education of Narragansett residents and visitors.
Today Canonchet Farm is a green space unlike any other in Rhode Island. Comprised of 175 acres of fresh and saltwater wetlands, forests,brooks, and ponds abutting Pettaquamscutt Cove on Narrow River, the land is habitat for a wide variety of birds, plants, animals, and insects. The John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge owns ten acres of the land, while the remaining 165 acres belong to the Town of Narragansett. The original open fields of farmland have, over the years, grown into a thick forest of native and invasive plants and trees. Visitors and members will enjoy learning about the area on our popular guided walks, led by experts in the fields of nature, culture, and the sciences. With 1.5 miles of walking trails and proximity to the South County Museum, Canonchet Farm is a perfect venue for a day's outing.
HISTORY
Canonchet Farm's earliest inhabitants were the Narragansett Indians, followed by the first colonial settlers and farmers of the area. In 1865 Governor William Sprague and his wife, Kate Chase Sprague, purchased the property and constructed a sprawling sixty-eight-room mansion. They called the farm"Canonchet" after the renowned sachem of the Narragansett tribe. In 1909 the mansion burned to the ground. Now,only the stone framework remains from the original stable, which burned in 1960's.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
With the ongoing habitat restoration program, made possible by the support of donations and volunteers, the ponds are becoming visible from Boston Neck Road. A proposed linear park along the shores of both ponds with a landscape design of native plants begins to take shape. We also plan to install educational signage, offer programs for children, and hold courses in forestry management.
BECOME A MEMBER
Whether your interest is a quiet walk through the forest or the hands-on experience of preserving the environment, we invite you to join Friends of Canonchet Farm, and help support the natural development of this unique place in Rhode Island.
Photos by Bill Krul
The mission of the Friends of Canonchet Farm
is to improve, manage and
preserve Canonchet Farm
in partnership with the public
for the enjoyment
of present and future
generations.
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