Independence Park is a unique waterfront recreation area in downtown Bristol. The park is an integral component of the Bristol Historic District, host to numerous public events, and serves as the terminus of the Pare-designed East Bay Bike Path. The Town recognized that some of the amenities would benefit from upgrades and improved coastal resiliency. Pare was hired by the Town to:

— lengthen the existing boat ramp;
— protect the new boat ramp from wave action;
— improve harbor access with new launch floats;
— minimize erosive conditions and enhance resiliency at the site;
— improve stormwater quality at the site;
— evaluate and improve parking needs and traffic flow;
— connect the southern part of the Park to the Boardwalk;
— provide landscape design for the connection with the bike path while incorporating current historic plans;
— explore the potential extension of the East Bay Bike Path to connect to the Parking Lot; and
— provide construction oversight.

The project incorporates stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP’s) such as bioretention areas, water quality swales, and similar stormwater infiltration techniques to address the drainage and erosion issues. The Town funded the improvements, in part, with help from the US Fish & Wildlife Boating Infrastructure Grant Program and a Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank Municipal Resiliency Program Grant.

This project won an ACEC-RI award in 2026. Read more about it here: 2026 ACEC-RI Award – Independence Park – Pare Corporation