SABINA MATOS, who represents Ward 15 on the Providence City Council, was recently honored with the inaugural Fred Lippitt Award from the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council during the organization’s Yellow Perch Cocktail Party in Providence.
Among the initiatives Matos assisted the nonprofit with are improvements to the Capitol Records Park, the Kinsley/Eagle Pocket Park, Riverside Park and Olneyville Square. Den DeMarinis Jr., director of development for the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, thanked Matos in a statement for committing to open up the river, improving green spaces and “being a champion for improving quality of life and bringing Fred [Lippitt’s] vision to fruition.”
How did you first get involved working closely with WRWC as a councilwoman? I have been working with the WRWC since before I was a councilwoman. My first interaction with them was when I was a board member of Olneyville Housing, now ONE NB, and the work of Riverside Park was in the beginning stages. It’s been an incredible privilege to watch how they have transformed our community.
How much has the city’s green space and economic development improved since your involvement in restoring the watershed? Their vision of transforming a contaminated area along the river into a beautiful park has been an amazing addition to the quality of life in the neighborhood. In addition to just making a beautiful park, it has become an incentive for other investments in the area and has contributed to the reduction of crime. They engaged the community from the beginning, and many have helped in the creation of the park. When this happens, it helps create “pride in place,” and that leads to less crime and an improved quality of life. … Their passion and deep investment in the community have motivated others to invest.
In what ways have you helped make WRWC stronger and more effective in its mission? We have partnered in many projects [such as] Riverside Park, Donigian Park and the Pocket Park at Eagle Square, among others. I enjoy partnering with them because of their passion, dedication and especially because they get things done.
What other initiatives do you have in the works with WRWC? The Pocket Park at Eagle Square is the beginning of our next joint venture, which is the Woonasquatucket Corridor redevelopment. We are also looking forward to extending the bike paths in the area and connecting Olneyville and Valley [neighborhoods] to downtown for pedestrians and bikes, among other strategic initiatives. We are also working on improvements to Donigian Park … which will help us continue the greening of Olneyville.
