Array of outdoor recreation photos in Rhode Island including a person riding a bike on the East Bay Bike Path, a child and father at a local playground, beachgoers sunning on the sand at East Beach State Beach, an angler with a marine species, and two hunters walking in the woods

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)

We want to hear from you!

The Rhode Island Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) is the Ocean State’s five-year master plan for outdoor recreation. It's a plan that helps us figure out the best ways to enjoy, protect, and improve outdoor recreation in our state, whether its parks, trails, beaches, playing fields and courts, playgrounds, farms, or forests.

Informed by public input from Rhode Island's growing and changing population, the plan outlines the existing status, current needs, and future vision for outdoor recreation and open space protection. The final plan guides how we prioritize funds for outdoor recreation projects, ensures we're looking out for the health of our natural resources, and helps everyone get a fair chance to enjoy the great outdoors.

Upcoming Events

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We’re inviting Rhode Islanders to share their preferences and demand for outdoor recreation in an online survey. Do you fish, camp, bike, hike, walk, or skateboard? What kinds of outdoor activities would you like to do more often? What would get you outside more often? 

Note: The SCORP Outdoor Recreation Survey is closed. Thank you to everyone who provided their feedback!

 

two horseback riders in a wooded trail at Goddard Memorial State Park

Upcoming Events

Also be on the lookout for Pop-Up events at local grocers, events, and community spaces!

A busy beach day at the swimming area at Lincoln Woods State Park

Latest News

Group of kids on bikes and their grownup on roller blades on the East Bay Bike Path

Stay Informed

Frequently Asked Questions

Rhode Island might be small, but our love for the outdoors is huge! We're famous for our beautiful beaches, parks, waterways, and green spaces that not only make life better for all of us who live here but also attract visitors from all over the world. These places aren't just nice to have; they're key to our health, happiness, and economy. The SCORP ensures these local treasures get the care they deserve and continue to make Rhode Island special, now and in the future. It’s about guaranteeing outdoor access for all Rhode Islanders, preserving the beauty and health of our natural resources, and strengthening the vitality of our local communities.

Yes! Rhode Islanders who opted into the giveaway in the SCORP Outdoor Recreation Survey were invited to enter to win a free 2025 RI State Beach season pass for participating. Learn more about the contest details.

It's easy! Share your feedback using our online survey at https://riparks.ri.gov/scorp-survey.

The SCORP will outline funding priorities for outdoor recreation investment over the next 5 years. Your favorite beach, park, walking trail, or boat ramp is part of this plan! Your feedback about your recreational needs are invaluable to us as we plan for improvements and additions to our recreational infrastructure.

We define outdoor recreation very broadly. It includes all the ways Rhode Islanders recreate outside: everything from playing organized sports, going to the beach, walking, paddling, sailing, fishing, and hunting – and all the infrastructure and resources that people use for these activities – local playgrounds and rec centers, state parks and beaches, boat ramps, fishing piers, walking trails, and more!

There are several ways to get involved in the 2024 SCORP project.

  1. Visit this website frequently.  Here, you will find upcoming meeting notices, review and comment on draft materials, or view past presentation and graphics.
  2. Contact any of the individuals listed below to share ideas, make suggestions, or provide comments.
  3. Sign up here for the 2024 E-News to receive meeting notifications and project information.

This effort is led by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning. Each state must prepare a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) every five years to remain qualified for stateside Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).

The previous 2019-2024 Statewide Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), State Guide Plan 152, Ocean State Outdoors, was approved by the State Planning Council on August 29, 2019.  The SCORP outlines the existing status, current needs, and future vision for outdoor recreation and open space protection. We heard from over 2,500 members of the public during our planning process. The final draft, informed by public input from our growing and changing population, sets concrete goals and strategies for improvements and additions to our infrastructure, programming, and resources.

Supporting Data and Meeting Materials

Related Resources

The State Guide Plan is actually a collection of many individual plans that collectively present a vision for the future development of Rhode Island and strategic approaches to attaining that vision. In addition to Ocean State Outdoors, there are several other State Guide Plans that present important pieces of how Rhode Island should manage its precious outdoor resources.  Plans that are most directly relevant to Ocean State Outdoors include: 

Additional resources:

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Logo for the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning

Working Group

  • Michelle Sheehan, Supervisor, State Land Conservation Program, RI Dept. of Environmental Management
  • Paul Gonsalves, Supervising Planner, RI Division of Statewide Planning
  • Lisa McGreavy, Outdoor Recreation & Trails Grant Manager, RI Dept. of Environmental Management   
  • Megan DiPrete, Chief for the Office of Planning & Development, RI Dept. of Environmental Management

Advisory Committee

  • Denyse Wilhelm, ADA Program Manager, Governor's Commission on Disabilities
  • Mary Gannon, Wildlife Outreach Coordinator, RIDEM, Division of Fish & Wildlife   
  • Chris Gaynor, Climate Justice Specialist, RIDEM   
  • Jenn Ogren, Assistant Administrator, RIDEM, Division of Parks and Recreation
  • Scott Olszewski, Deputy Chief, RIDEM Division of Marine Fisheries   
  • Randi Belhumeur, HEALTH Program Administrator, RIDOH, Division of Community, Health and Equity  
  • Gregg Marsili, Bristol Harbor Master, Town of Bristol 
  • Theresa Murphy, Parks & Rec. Director, Town of South Kingston   
  • Lisa Aurecchia, Director of Projects, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council   
  • Chris Fox, Executive Director, Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association   
  • Bonnie Nickerson, Executive Director, Roger Williams Park Conservancy   
  • Kevin Ruddock, GIS Manager, The Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island   
  • Kate Sayles, Executive Director, RI Land Trust Council   
  • Eric Weis, volunteer, RI Bicycle Coalition

Consultant Team

  • Weston & Sampson
  • Horsley Witten Group, Inc
  • Landscape Elements LLC