Garrison House Acres is a beautiful 26-acre coastal property nestled along the Narrow River in South Kingstown. The area is rich in both history and nature. Long part of the lands of the Narragansett Tribe, the area became a flash point during King Philip’s War. A garrison had was built nearby and was occupied by fifteen people (some accounts say seventeen). It was the intended rendezvous point for armies led by Plymouth’s governor Josiah Winslow, Major Samuel Appleton of Massachusetts, and Major John Treat from Connecticut. However, when these troops arrived on December 16, 1675, they found that the fort and trading post was destroyed, and the people sheltering there were killed by the defending Narragansetts.
In the 1900s, the property was owned by Avery Brooke of Noroton, Connecticut, who created a small two-home subdivision with preserved open space. In 1990, Ms. Brooke donated the open space property to the Narrow River Land Trust (NRLT), along with a bequest for the maintenance of the property for mowing of the fields.
The property has an approximate one mile walk that follows a loop trail through deciduous woodlands, along the salt marsh that fringes the Narrow River, past open fields, past a man-made farm pond and through freshwater marshes. This property is of ecological interest because of its variety of habitats. It abuts other conserved lands including the 554-acre John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge at Pettaquamscutt Cove (managed by US Fish & Wildlife) and land conserved by the Audubon Society. Together these conservation properties form a contiguous band of wildlife habitat along Pettaquamscutt Cove and the lower Narrow River. The well-maintained trails are relatively flat and easy to walk. However, they border salt and freshwater marshes so be prepared to encounter potentially wet, muddy terrain. Also, be prepared with bug repellent to thoroughly enjoy the hike!
Quick Facts:
- Trailhead is on Middlebridge Road, South Kingstown, RI 02879 on the west side of the Middlebridge.
- It is a flat trail through coastal forest and meadow.
- The trail is approximately one mile long.
- The meadow periodically mowed to support native plants and bird habitat.
- There is an osprey nest site in SE corner of the property.
- There is a freshwater pond and wetland in SE corner of the property.
- The property boasts spectacular views of the Narrow River and Pettaquamscutt Cove.
- Dogs should be on a leash.
- Parking at the trailhead is limited, but ample parking is available across the bridge at Middlebridge Marina, 95 Middlebridge Road, Narragansett.