U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), cuts a ribbon for the unveiling of the new Blackstone River Bikeway Patrol at the I-295 Visitor’s Center Saturday morning, as CorridorKeeper’s President Mike Ferry looks on. The patrol was introduced during opening ceremonies for the five-mile ‘Wellness Walk-a-Thon’ on Saturday. Reed was honorary chairman of the event. Call Photo/Dani Elle Brissette

New Blackstone Bikeway Patrol is launched 

By DANI ELLE BRISSETTE

LINCOLN — People were walking for a purpose — multiple purposes, in fact — on Saturday morning on the Blackstone Bikeway behind the Interstate 295 Visitors Center.

Sponsored by the CorridorKeepers, a non-profit organization of volunteers who work to enhance and support the Blackstone Valley’s non-profit organizations, Whole Foods Supermarkets and the AARP, the first ever “Wellness Walk-a-Thon event was held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and featured a five-mile walk along the Blackstone River.
“Every year, federal funding for the [Heritage] Corridor gets, with the way the economy is, the federal funding gets less every year. The CorridorKeepers mission is to make sure that all of the volunteer organizations that were started over the last 25 years through the Heritage Corridor sustains so we can continue doing the things we like to do,” explained CorridorKeeper’s President Mike Ferry. “This was a fundraiser both for us to be able to raise a few bucks so that we can continue doing the things that we do, but it’s also a fundraiser for these organizations to get out and show people what they’re doing and get people together.”
In addition to raising money to finance ongoing projects that benefit the Blackstone River, the purpose of the event was also to promote health and wellness among the community and debut the newly assembled Blackstone Bikeway Patrol.
“We wanted to also showcase that wellness is actually more than coming out and walking. Wellness can also be joining one of these clubs or getting involved in something,” Ferry said. “Today we’re going to kick off a brand new volunteer organization: The Blackstone Volunteer Bikeway Patrol.”
Comprised of approximately 12 members, the Blackstone Volunteer Bikeway Patrol is sponsored by the Peloton Bicycle Shop on Route 146A in North Smithfield, and their purpose is to lend assistance to anyone traveling along the Bikeway.
According to National Park Service Ranger Suzanne Buchanan, the Blackstone Bikeway Patrol members are intended to offer geographic, historic and cultural information about the bikeway area from Valley Falls to Woonsocket, lend first-aid assistance, repair flat tires, offer directions, and ultimately make the Bikeway safer and more hospitable.
The unveiling of the new Bikeway Patrol team was left to Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who was the Honorary Chairman of the Walk-a-Thon event.
“This is a wonderful event. I want to recognize the leadership of Mike Ferry and the CorridorKeepers and also the participation of the AARP, the state DEM and so many other wonderful organizations,” Reed said as he cut the ceremonial ribbon, allowing walkers and bikers to venture onto the path for the five-mile stretch. “It’s a wonderful example of the great natural beauty and recreational activities that are here in Rhode Island and it emphasizes individual wellness and community proactive healthiness.”
Though initially intended to be a one-time fundraiser and debuting ceremony of the new Bikeway Patrol team, Ferry indicated that the Wellness Walk-a-Thon was an event that could become a long-standing Blackstone Valley Tradition.
“This is definitely going to be an annual thing,” Ferry said. “The reception from all of the people that have come here today has just been absolutely awesome.”
For more information about CorridorKeepers, visit www.corridorkeepers.org.