JOHNSTON, R.I. — Frequent users of the section of the Woonasquatucket River Greenway that runs through town will notice much has changed in the area of the greenway near the fish ladder.

Where there was once unkempt overgrowth of nonnative plants there is now a pollinator garden of native plants, a new Manton Outdoor Classroom with Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible terraced log seats, and gathering and parking areas for both bicycles and vehicles for school trips and community programs. The seating area for the classroom overlooks the Manton fishway, which supports the return of herring and shad in the spring for reproduction.

The project included stabilizing the bank of the Woonasquatucket River in that area and adding bioswales to slow stormwater, filter pollutants, and improve water quality. The planting of 5,000 native plants in the area will also help reduce flooding and restore wildlife habitat.

Christopher Dalpe, communications manager for the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, said the organization and its partners have spent more than $5 million since 2005 on improvements to Johnston’s 1.25-mile section of the greenway, a 7-mile, multiuse recreational path that winds through Providence and Johnston along the banks of the river.

The funding comes through partnerships with the WRWC and federal and state agencies and a variety of state and federal grants, including funds from the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Coastal Resources Management Council, and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

A ribbon-cutting for the classroom was held on a rainy Saturday in late September, and was attended by U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner, and other state and local officials.

“This new outdoor classroom in Johnston is a great example of how WRWC’s work is engaging students and community members alike in appreciating the beauty of their surroundings,” Reed said.

“These improvements along the Woonasquatucket Greenway make Johnston and Providence a better place to live,” Magaziner said. “I remain committed to continuing the fight to bring back federal funding for local projects like these.”

Susan Forcier, DEM deputy director, said “DEM is proud to support the collaborative efforts to restore and strengthen the resilience of this area using funding that Rhode Island voters approved through the Green Bond.”

Map project

The WRWC has received a $10,000 grant from the AARP to develop an interactive map of the greenway. The map, which will have both digital and printed elements, will include community input identifying areas of the greenway that need improvement, and information about guided tours, events, and workshops.

The WRWC will partner with senior citizens, artists, and community groups to create the interactive map that will help residents learn about and navigate the greenway. The WRWC is seeking public input about the greenway through a survey.

Tree plantings

The WRWC will host a series of tree plantings along the greenway this month.

On Oct. 17, volunteers will plant shrubs and bulbs from 2-5 p.m. at Donigian Park on Valley Street in Providence to build a healthy understory and support pollinators.

On Oct. 18, WRWC and the organization 15 Minute Field Trips will plant trees and take children and their families on a short educational field trip at Manton Heights, 31 Salmon St. in Providence from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

On Oct. 25, volunteers should meet at 90 Salmon St., the Woonasquatucket Greenway Harpin Turn, at 10 a.m. to plant trees and shrubs to fill gaps, create shade, and improve wildlife habitat on the greenway.