Opinion

Revisiting the Obliterated Greenery at Providence’s Downtown Train Station

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PROVIDENCE — Just a few weeks ago, the downtown train station’s meadow was flourishing and vibrant. Since it was mowed by the city last month, nature still hasn’t taken back what it has lost, and with the weather getting chillier, it’s not hopeful. What remains is dying brush and desolation; insects, birds, and nature-enjoyers were nowhere to be found. The only ambiance left is gray concrete slabs and the background whoosh of passing vehicles.

What initially started as a complaint led to one of the most beautiful spaces being annihilated.

Providence received an anonymous complaint through its 311 system from an individual regarding overgrowth at the meadow of the downtown train station. The city’s Department of Public Works received the grievance and, in late September, razed the entire area.

The city chalks it up to an accident, claiming the complaint was meant to be forwarded to the Parks Department. The spokesperson for the mayor, Josh Estrella, further stated: “Given the plants at this location, many will grow back next year without replanting.” However, it’s unclear where the mayor’s office or Estrella received this information or how accurate it is — and these recent events don’t lend any credence.

Notably, the complaint may not have even been valid. This once-scenic area was carefully managed by the Parks Department and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, where the flora was closely taken care of. Any hedges or brush that even remotely waned off-course was quickly trimmed. Unfortunately, it only took one individual to lodge a complaint and for the city to take rash action.

These plants were critical for the area, giving homes, food, and other vital benefits to the surrounding ecosystem. Those getting on and off the train enjoyed it, and you could often find individuals and families sitting nearby, reading, relaxing, or feeding the local wildlife.

Actions surrounding this tragedy have raised concerns: How does a single complaint result in this? Was there a prior evaluation? What are the consequences? How can we ensure this doesn’t happen again?

With the new deprecated look, the highly trafficked transit area is likely to affect Providence’s tourism and have immediate negative consequences for the community and wildlife. Moreover, by not addressing the Public Works Department’s fatal error, it appears the mayor’s office doesn’t care. This complete lack of oversight and apparent disregard from the city and its departments is unacceptable.

Victor Martelle is a resident of Providence’s East Side.

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  1. I am one hundred percent behind this op-ed. I have regularly gotten on a bus via bicycle in this very spot for at least a few years. The pollinator gardens and signage was a boon and break for anyone waiting for a bus/train/etc. It looks like a forgotten wasteland now.
    I ask, HOW could ANYONE have done this administratively KNOWING who had the reigns/authority here? It smacks/smells of something far more troubling. Someone call Jim Hummell!

  2. Zealots. If only the City of Providence would respond to requests for sidewalk repairs around its public elementary schools with even a fraction of the speed! My oldest turn 29 on Halloween and from the time she was 5 (2000) until my youngest was 10 (2010), I repeatedly requested the City to repair the sidewalk that runs in front of their elementary school, MLK, Camp Street from Doyle Street to Carrington. It’s rife with broken low spots, frost heaves and tree roots that turn sections of it that hundreds of little kids and their parents/caregivers use daily into mud puddles and icy jagged hazards. During the decade my kids and I were MLK families, I witnessed numerous kids get muddy and fall on that section of sidewalk on their way to school. Mercifully, the school nurse at the time worked with the PTO and kept plenty of clothes on hand for them to Change into so they wouldn’t be cold, wet and dirty all day if a change of clothes couldn’t be brought to them by working caregivers. Plus, MLK is frequently a Polling Place! All that afforded us was accessible curb cuts right near the entrance but not smooth walking or rolling surfaces for the street. Unreal.

  3. Typical RI eco fail. The apathetic attitude to environmental degradation in RI is a chronic mind set for as long as I can remember. I live in CT and while we have our own issues we could always point to RI as an example of a state that just doesn’t seem to care.

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