About a bear

The Bear Ground
Roger Williams Park
Maple Ave. and Pine Hill Ave.
Providence

Two of my granddaughters and I were driving around Roger Williams park with no particular destination in mind, when we spotted what appeared to be a cat statue. We pulled over for a closer look.

It turned out to be a bear!

They were so excited to check it out, so we went down into the grounds to explore. 

The Bear is an eco-friendly play structure designed for climbing, sliding, and plenty of interactive fun. 

And it’s not just a play area; it’s a vibrant addition to the park that also functions as a stormwater bioretention area, helping to keep the park's waterways clean. 

There's another purpose to its location. The bear sits in the same spot where bears were once displayed in the early 20th century before they were moved to the zoo. Built in 2022 to celebrate the park's 150th anniversary, this play structure has quickly become a favorite among kids, including my granddaughters. In fact, we loved it so much that we visited twice in one day and met other children enjoying the bear too!

However, I did notice that access could be improved. While there's a ramp leading down to the playground, the wood chips and lack of an easy way up to the bear itself might pose challenges for children with mobility difficulties. Overall, though, our adventure at the Bear Ground was filled with laughter and joy!