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Friday, July 26, 2013

Third Annual Rhode Island Great Outdoors Pursuit

Free Parking at All State Beaches on July 28 in Celebration of Bay Day

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will host the third event of the 2013 Rhode Island Great Outdoors Pursuit on Sunday, July 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in conjunction with Governor Lincoln Chafee's Bay Day at Colt State Park in Bristol.

The Pursuit event is open to the public and will feature a host of activities such as a tide pool touch tank, healthy cooking demonstration and farmers' market, electronics recycling drop-off, and hula-hooping. There is no cost to register and all activities are either free or low-cost. The general public who do not wish to register are also invited to participate in all activities. More information is available online at www.riparks.com.


Governor Lincoln Chafee's Bay Day activities at Colt State Park will feature a free neighborhood barbeque sponsored by the Rhode Island Bays, Rivers, and Watersheds Coordination Team, and music by Vini Ames and Sh-Bop. Parking at all State Beaches will be free on Bay Day. Lite 105 and 92 Pro FM radio stations will be present at Roger Wheeler and Scarborough State Beaches as part of the Bay Day celebration.

"Governor's Bay Day is a great opportunity for family and friends to get outdoors and appreciate our treasured natural resources located along Narragansett Bay," Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said. "We are fortunate to live in a state with hundreds of miles of scenic shoreline and beautiful state beaches."

"We're excited to welcome Rhode Islanders and tourists to visit our spectacular state beaches on Governor's Bay Day," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "Enjoying these gorgeous beaches with family, friends and visitors creates memories that will last a lifetime."

Governor's Bay Day has been celebrated annually since 1989. It began in response to the World Prodigy oil spill to draw attention to the quality and fragility of Narragansett Bay.

The Rhode Island Great Outdoors Pursuit, co-sponsored by DEM and the Rhode Island Department of Health, seeks to connect families with outdoor public spaces and inspire active outdoor lifestyles while educating them about environmental and health issues. 


All Pursuit events are open to the public, and all teams and families are welcome to participate in the myriad of free activities on site. Teams receive points for participating in each event and will be eligible for prizes of outdoor equipment donated by local retailers and sponsors that will be awarded at the Pursuit finale on August 17. 

Support for the program comes from the Rhode Island Department of Health, Verizon, United Healthcare and other businesses. A full list of sponsors and partners is available at www.riparks.com.

For more information, contact Terri Bisson at (401) 222-2776, ext. 4402 or email at terri.bisson@dem.ri.gov or Robert Paquette at (401) 222-2632 or email at Robert.paquette@dem.ri.gov.

Free beach parking at RI State Beaches all day!