August 13th   Keech Pond in Glocester RI  Meet at 6:00 for a 6:15 launch Trip coordinators are: Skye scitamb.2@juno.com and Steve Pechie.

Trip is suitable for all.

The launch is at the end of Indian Trail in Chepachet (Glocester) RI. Keech Pond is a 129 acre pond that is state managed. One third of the trip on Keech Pond is private, wooded land. The rest of the trip goes by waterfront homes. You can explore the various coves on this pond. It connects to the 186 acre Smith and Sayles Reservoir by a low dam, you could pick up your boat and portage over to enter the larger Smith and Sayles Reservoir if you wanted a longer trip.

41° 52.542′ N    71° 41.438′ W   See this location in: Google Maps

Directions: Take 295 North or South to exit 7B Greenville, Route 44 west. Follow route 44 west for approx. 9 miles. Turn left onto Chestnut Hill Road (soon after the CVS). Follow Chestnut Hill Road  to Indian Trail on the left.  Follow Indian trail until the end of the road, state ramp and parking lot on the left.

From Rt. 146 South – Take Slatersville exit.  Turn right onto Rt. 146 A. At light by Slatersville Plaza, go straight on Rt. 102 South. Follow Rt. 102 South  for seven miles to intersection with Rt. 44 in Chepachet.  Turn left onto Rt. 44 East and continue about one half mile mile. Look for Chestnut Hill on the right, just before the CVS.

From Rt. 146 North – Take Slatersville exit.  Turn left off ramp onto School Street.  At intersection by Slatersville Common and Church, veer left onto Green Street.  Continue through Slatersville to first light at Rt. 102.  Turn left onto Rt. 102 South.  Follow Rt. 102 South  for six miles  to intersection with Rt. 44 in Chepachet.  Turn left onto Rt. 44 East and continue about one half mile mile. Look for Chestnut Hill on the right, just before the CVS.

For questions about the BVPC, Contact Cheryl stonefoxfarm75@gmail.com  401-497-5887. Membership is required. Click on the link to learn  how to join:  Membership link .  If you are not a yet a member and are undecided about joining, come join us for a trip to help make up your mind.   Introduce yourself to one of the trip leaders in the orange shirts who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Note: Please inspect your boat and gear for any invasive Aquatic plants. If you have been on the water in the past 5 days, please clean and dry your equipment. Also, check, clean, drain and dry after.

If the trip is cancelled due to weather we will try to offer it on the next day  (Wednesday). Check the message board for changes and cancellations to trips – flatwater message board.

Please check the board before leaving for any trip.  We provide directions as a courtesy to paddlers however, you are responsible to refer to a map and familiarize yourself with the trip location.

To participate in the Blackstone Paddler’s Events, a RI Canoe and Kayak Association membership fee of $15.00  is required, as is a $10.00 membership fee for the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club.   These fees provide a family membership and are good for the entire season.  If you are a current RICKA member, you may join for the additional $10.00 membership fee.  If you are not yet a RICKA member, you may  join and pay your dues for both RICKA and Blackstone Valley Paddle Club by going to our Membership Page for payment options. Please note: we will not be taking payment for dues at the paddle locations.  Please pay your dues in advance.

 Note: Inflatable PFDs (life vests) and inflatable kayaks are not acceptable for paddling on RICKA Flatwater trips or Blackstone Valley Paddle Club trips.