East Providence Senior Center Adding Pickleball Court, More

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — The Robert Rock Senior Center is going to get some renovations, city officials said Tuesday.

At a recent Robert Rock Senior Center Advisory Group meeting, East Providence Mayor Roberto DaSilva said the renovations will be paid for with federal funding his administration secured.

The proposed project includes adding a pickleball court, gazebo, flowers, plants trees, a shed roof for more shade and a rain garden. City officials said the court can also be used for yoga and meditative therapy.

The rain garden will help collect rainfall-runoff and be a home for plants and pollinators. Residents and visitors can sit in different pockets in the rain garden and enjoy nature and privacy. Plants and birdfeeders will also be sprinkled throughout the grounds, city officials said.

City officials said the new improvements will have wheelchair ramps, a lighting system and other accessibility and safety elements.

Concrete walkways will be included for a safe walking environment, and a path from Pawtucket Avenue will be created. A bag and waste station will also be added for those who walk their pets on the grounds.

"This project will shield traffic and allow for more privacy, however, the shielding will still allow for the trees to be visible during the annual Christmas tree event," city officials said in a statement."

City officials said the only impact to the senior center during construction will be on the grounds, which will be temporarily closed to the public. The parking lot will remain open during construction.

City officials said they expect to break ground and finish the project this year.

During the meeting, the advisory group also shared suggestion from seniors. Suggestions included adding a stop sign in the parking lot and adding a sound system. The sound system would project nature sounds to help reduce the sound of traffic during meditative therapy. It would also play holiday music during WinterFest.