On a beautiful day that felt more like spring than the middle of winter, a new sign for Rhode Island’s summertime playground was formally unveiled at the intersection of Rocky Point and Warwick Neck Avenues.

“I assumed I was going to have to say, ‘Imagine how great Rocky Point Park is going to be when the spring comes,’ but given the weather today I don’t think it requires any imagination. This is an extraordinary example of not only different levels of government working together, but also public and private non profits coming together and making it work, and these are great strengths that Rhode Island has,” said First Gentleman Andy Moffit at the sign dedication ceremony Monday.

“Rocky Point is going to be an incredible place, it already is and every Rhode Island family has a memory of Rocky Point, now we’ll be creating all kinds of new memories. We’ve got these tremendous outdoor assets that are a huge part of our economy, a huge part of what makes Rhode Island a great place to live,” he added.

The new metal and plastic sign featuring classic Rocky Point lettering and an ocean scene depicting the historic Rocky Point Archway, with a directional arrow to guide park visitors, now sits on the corners of Warwick Neck and Rocky Point Avenues.

Closed as an amusement park since the 1990s, in 2007, the City of Warwick, along with Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were able to acquire 41 acres of the park’s waterfront property. The State of Rhode Island acquired the adjacent 82 acres of land in 2013 to add to the beauty of the park. It is now open year round to the public.

The sign project was funded with a grant sponsored by the Providence, Warwick Convention and Visitor’s Bureau (PWCVB) in collaboration with the Rocky Point Foundation, a non-profit organization that worked closely with DEM on the park’s preservation and restoration. The Foundation worked cooperatively with the City and the Warwick Department of Tourism Culture and Development to design and install the sign.

“The Providence, Warwick Convention and Visitor’s Bureau have had a campaign for the last few years trying to make all the cultural sites look approximately the same based on the signage,” said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian at the ceremony. “We have been working with non profits all over the city – Clouds Hill Farm, the Warwick Museum, Oakland Beach – a number of different locations in the area to basically look all the same.”

Approximately two dozen members of the public attended the unveiling, with nearly unanimous approval given to the design of the sign.

“This many months later, we’re finally here to unveil the sign, and I want to thank the Rocky Point Foundation and DEM because without them, there would be no partnership here. This is one of those interesting city, state, and local partnerships that really works,” said Avedisian. “The installation of the new Rocky Point sign adds an additional aesthetic benefit to the revitalization of the grounds. We are thrilled to add an equally beautiful sign to welcome friends, neighbors and visitors to the park.”