Slater Memorial Park

Slater Memorial Park is a City of Pawtucket park of an estimated 200 acres, designed by the Olmsted firm, with entrances on Newport Avenue and Armistice Boulevard. The city lists its 1895 Looff Carousel, which it calls the oldest Looff stander carousel in the world, the historic Daggett Farm, a three-acre fishing pond, a 2.2-mile bike trail, the Pawtucket Dog Park, 11 ball fields, 10 tennis courts, 13 picnic sites and an adventure playground. It is a city park, separate from Lincoln Woods State Park, a short drive away.

The Looff Carousel

The City of Pawtucket dates the park's carousel to 1895 and calls it the oldest Looff stander carousel in the world. Check the city's Parks and Recreation pages for the current operating days.

History of the Park

The city's history says the park began in 1894 with the purchase of about 197 acres known as the Daggett Farm, at the end of Brook Street, now Armistice Boulevard. Developing it as a park met opposition at first, and it was not until 1903 that money came for an access road, with the decision to keep the land's natural lines. The bandstand and the Slater Park Boathouse date from those years. Interest faded after World War I, revived with Depression-era work projects, and grew again after the city created its Division of Parks and Recreation in 1973. In 1976 the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

What's in the Park

The city lists:

• The Looff Carousel (1895)
• Daggett Farm, with the Parks and Recreation office beside the Daggett House and tennis courts
• A three-acre fishing pond
• A 2.2-mile linear bike trail from the Tomlinson Athletic Complex on Daggett Avenue through the park to the Kimberley Rock Athletic Complex in Rumford
• The Pawtucket Dog Park
• Friendship Gardens nature preserve and Marconi Gardens, used for weddings
• 11 ball fields, 10 tennis courts and a basketball court
• 13 picnic sites
• The Adventure Playground, with a climbing wall, space nets, slides and swings
• The Rhode Island Watercolor Society and outdoor sculptures

Fishing at Slater Park

DEM lists Slater Park Pond on its designated trout waters, open to children only during specified times, and stocked it on April 17, 2026. For adult trout fishing nearby, Olney Pond at Lincoln Woods is stocked in spring and fall.

Hours and the Recreation Office

The Parks and Recreation office in Slater Park is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The city's booking system lists the park's facility hours as 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends.

Picnic Permits and Events

Picnic sites are booked through the City of Pawtucket's online system. The city says permits are issued rain or shine, are non-refundable, and must be with you on the day. If you are holding a public event, contact the Recreation Division at (401) 728-0500 ext. 251 within 90 days before it.

Slater Park or Lincoln Woods?

• For a swim: Lincoln Woods has a lifeguarded freshwater beach in season; the city does not list swimming at Slater Park. See the beach.
• For a carousel, playground and ball fields: Slater Park.
• For woods, boulders and trails: Lincoln Woods; see hiking and bouldering.
• For a dog park: Slater Park has one; Lincoln Woods allows leashed dogs on its trails.
• For a long bike ride: the Blackstone River Bikeway runs through Lincoln and Cumberland.