Welcome!

Rights of Way to Greenwich Bay Shoreline

Free public access to the Rhode Island Shoreline is protected by the Rhode Island Constitution. Be sure to exercise your rights to the coastline by accessing these rights of way in the Greenwich Bay Watershed area.

Remember to exercise your rights politely!

• Stay within the Right of Way pathways to the shore left and right of your access point. Do not wander into private property getting to the water.
• Your right to lateral access along the shore is limited to 10 feet above the high tide seaweed/wrack line and back into the water. No more. Please use this helpful picture to guide you.
• Do not litter and clean up after your pets!
• If you drove there, be respectful where you park. Some local neighborhoods have very narrow streets. Don't block roads parking where the roads are too narrow for large vehicles (think fire and garbage truck!) to safely go around you. And do not block driveways or lines of sight and make it difficult for area residents to drive safely.
• Understand some people are still learning about shoreline access rights. Try educate when possible.

Below are links to ROW information from other sites.

• City of Warwick Rights of Way to the Shoreline web page. Partial list of ROWs in Warwick.
• Rhode Island Coastal Resource Mangement Council (RI CRMC) Rights of Way page It lists all of the CRMC recognized rights of way in Rhode Island.
• Cedar Tree Point Rights of Way These were identified in 1911 when Cedar Tree Point was first platted and intended for the use by its local residents. For that reason, there is no or limited public parking available nearby and these access points are not marked with signage.
  • Preston at Melbourn Road - Access here is where Preston Drive dead ends into Greenwich Bay. It is where the old Cedar Tree Point beach was before erosion took it away.There has been considerable sand loss since these photos were taken in 2006 but the access point does allow gentler walk down to the shoreline. Due to soil loss, access along the shore might be challanging at high tide.
  • Between 76 and 68 Melbourn Road This is a pathway between properties at 68 and 76 Melbourn Road. It leads out to the shoreline on Greenwich Bay.
  • Left side of 293 Grand View Drive S This is a pathway to Cedar Tree Point that runs along the left side of the house at 293 Grand View Drive. The entrance can be hard to see due to landscaping choices, but there is a path that runs along the side of the house then turns to the left and runs along the bottom of the hill out to the beach. From there you can get to the point pretty easily. Depending on the tide, it can be wet at the bottom of the hill. Please remember the point is a nesting area for many shore birds. Please watch your dogs so they dont kill nestlings. There is sometimes off street parking available at the end of Melbourn where it meets Grand View Drive.
  • Between 197 Grand View Drive N This pathway is where Midget Avenue meets Grand View Drive N and runs along the left side of the house at 197 Grand View Drive. This terminates in Apponaug Cove. Depending on tides, it might be tricky getting water access as the mud flats behind this property are deep. Check shell fish restrictions before attempting to harvest shellfish in Apponaug cove as its often off limits.