177 Main Street

177 Main Street was the site of the WLT’s Community Garden until 2019 when the garden was relocated to 145 Main Street, a lot also owned by the Land Trust.  In 2021, WLT partnered with Cinder Restaurant to create a permanent greenscape on the lot. The two entities determined that the best and highest use for their neighboring Main Street lots was a blend of commercial property and public urban greenway along the nationally designated Wild and Scenic Pawcatuck River. WLT was awarded a community development grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to support the transformation of 177 Main Street through landscaping, wayfinding signage, and public access walkways along the river.

The ultimate goal of the Urban Initiative is to transfer the improved properties to new operators, so in July 2023, 177 Main Street was sold to 169 Main St, LLC, which operates Cinder Restaurant. A conservation easement held by the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) ensures that the 177 Main St parcel will remain green open space, never to be developed.

More about WLT’s Urban Initiative

In 2004, the Board of Directors voted to expand the Westerly Land Trust’s mission to include an Urban Initiative, focused on redevelopment and enhancement of culturally significant commercial properties in areas of historic significance to the Town. The “smart growth” concept reflects the other side of the coin of land conservation. A vibrant downtown offering attractive options to live, dine, and shop reduces development pressure on precious open space.

Since establishing the Urban Initiative, the Westerly Land Trust has worked in partnership with the Royce Family Fund to purchase and adaptively re-use commercial properties of interest in downtown Westerly. The Westerly Land Trust holds three properties on Main Street along the Pawcatuck River as well as the historic Industrial Trust building on High Street and the United Theatre and Montgomery Ward building on Canal Street.

 

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WLT conserves open space, revitalizes culturally significant properties and provides environmental programs for the enduring benefit of our community.

When @westerlylandtrust and @wildrootsplay.ri come together, learning turns into a magical adventure!✨

At our Prints, Paths, and Play program students discovered animal tracks and signs🐾, then hiked over to @wildrootsplay.ri for a cozy afternoon of play and tea. So grateful for a partnership that keeps curiosity and community thriving! 💚🌳

#westerlyri #rhodeislandlife #nature #conservation #hike #outside #childdevelopment #childledlearning #explore

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Open post by westerlylandtrust with ID 18293747893286604
When @westerlylandtrust and @wildrootsplay.ri come together, learning turns into a magical adventure!✨ At our Prints, Paths, and Play program students discovered animal tracks and signs🐾, then hiked over to @wildrootsplay.ri for a cozy afternoon of play and tea. So grateful for a partnership that keeps curiosity and community thriving! 💚🌳 #westerlyri #rhodeislandlife #nature #conservation #hike #outside #childdevelopment #childledlearning #explore

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November brings shorter, colder days, but also more time to pause and reflect on the year coming to a close. Soon, we’ll all be in full holiday mode, moving a mile a minute. But until then, allow yourself space to sit and contemplate. How have you progressed toward your personal goals in 2025? What remains on your to-do list before the year ends? 🍂

🌳At the Westerly Land Trust, we find that these internal conversations are best had outdoors, surrounded by nature. Big things feel more achievable when you take notice of the everyday miracles around you.

💚In October, the world lost a conservation giant, Dr. Jane Goodall. As we slide headfirst into the holiday hustle, may Dr. Goodall’s words and outlook stay with you:

“People say to me so often, ‘Jane how can you be so peaceful when everywhere around you people want books signed, people are asking these questions and yet you seem peaceful,’ and I always answer that it is the peace of the forest that I carry inside.”

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Open post by westerlylandtrust with ID 18296586307283153
November brings shorter, colder days, but also more time to pause and reflect on the year coming to a close. Soon, we’ll all be in full holiday mode, moving a mile a minute. But until then, allow yourself space to sit and contemplate. How have you progressed toward your personal goals in 2025? What remains on your to-do list before the year ends? 🍂 🌳At the Westerly Land Trust, we find that these internal conversations are best had outdoors, surrounded by nature. Big things feel more achievable when you take notice of the everyday miracles around you. 💚In October, the world lost a conservation giant, Dr. Jane Goodall. As we slide headfirst into the holiday hustle, may Dr. Goodall’s words and outlook stay with you: “People say to me so often, ‘Jane how can you be so peaceful when everywhere around you people want books signed, people are asking these questions and yet you seem peaceful,’ and I always answer that it is the peace of the forest that I carry inside.”

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Witch way to the trail? 🧙‍♀️🕷️🎃

#halloween #witch #trail #hike #westerlyri #landtrust #nature #outside #october #fall

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Open post by westerlylandtrust with ID 18046520510692489
Witch way to the trail? 🧙‍♀️🕷️🎃 #halloween #witch #trail #hike #westerlyri #landtrust #nature #outside #october #fall

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“All the trees are losing their leaves, and not a single one of them is worried.” - Donald Miller

Take a lesson from the trees: slow down, release what no longer serves you, and trust that growth will come again. 🍂

#nature #mindfulness #outdoors #naturelovers #seasonsofchange #fallleaves #fall #leaves #growth

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Open post by westerlylandtrust with ID 17904237516272022
“All the trees are losing their leaves, and not a single one of them is worried.” - Donald Miller Take a lesson from the trees: slow down, release what no longer serves you, and trust that growth will come again. 🍂 #nature #mindfulness #outdoors #naturelovers #seasonsofchange #fallleaves #fall #leaves #growth

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