Crescent Park — Attraction in East Providence

I have uploaded a picture (circa 1910) of our family's beach house that stood on what is now the Rose Larisa Park. The house was named "Shady Oak" for the large oak tree that grew through the roof of the front porch. Cool summer breezes off of the Narragansett Bay made this location a perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of downtown Providence.

The hurricanes of 1938 and especially 1954 took a great toll on this area. Following the 1954 hurricane (named Carol), this house was the only remaining residence in the multi-acre beach community. It is my belief that the house's proximity of 20 feet northeast of the Crescent Park shore dinner hall sheltered it from the relentless 90+ mph hurricane winds. The worst casualty sustained to Shady Oak from Carol was the downing of the massive oak tree and front porch that housed it's trunk, a minor drawback compared to the deaths and carnage that extended between Bermuda and Canada from the storm.

Our grandmother purchased the house from Arthur Simmons after the death of her husband Christopher in 1937. Gertrude worked as a ticket cashier in the Looff carousel for about 40 years. Gertrude would walk from Shady Oak up to the carousel and back, about 500 yards each way. She loved listening to carousel music and had a deep appreciation for it. Shady Oak was filled with the echos of whirling carousel music from the park throughout the summer. During the winter months, grandma would listen to carousel music on a player piano which reminded her of summer at Shady Oak with family...

On this lovely Easter day, we took a stroll down the sandy path that led is to the waters edge. After a multitude of creative selfies, we ventured forth to a park bench to sit and people watch. Whilst people watching, our daughter deemed it necessary to pretend a small stick was a magic wand. She struck mommy once and almost wacked a small child that was walking by. I tried to invoke my parental authority over this toddler, but alas...my words fell on deaf ears and mommy was again battered and beaten by this two foot tall bully. All the while, her wicked laughter filled the park. All you could hear was, "give me the stick! "Nooo daddy!!" whack!! owwww!! And the "Hahahahah" our daughter repeated. This was an Easter none of us will...

The park grassy area is lovely and great for a picnic and dogs BUT THE ACTUAL BEACH PART IS NOT SAFE FOR DOGS! There is SO MUCH BROKEN GLASS PIECES EVERYWHERE!! A TON!!! Go see for yourself before you take your dog onto the beach section! Super dangerous! Every step taken has glass just about. Theres also SO MANY SHARP BROKEN SEA SHELLS EVERYWHERE! And i mean EVERYWHERE! Humans wear sneakers/sandals/water shoes when walking the beach, SO WHY WOULD YOU MAKE YOUR DOG WALK ON IT WITH THEIR PAWS? awful and cruel. The City should try to clean it up some at least but highly doubt that will happen. The park area is great and sunset views are...