The essence of landscape quality is neither in the landscape itself nor in people, but rather in the nature of the relationships which are established between them."

Garrett Eckbo
Landscape Architect

Click on the images below to see a larger view.

1876 - In the earliest known photograph of Roger Williams Park, boaters set off for an outing. The Betsey Williams Cottage and a barn (now gone) sit on the hill above.

Photo from the Rhode Island Collection of the Providence Public Library

1878 - Two years later, Horace Cleveland would submit his plan for developing Betsey's gift into a Victorian-period masterpiece.

Map from the Park's Superintendent's office.

In 1878, noted Landscape Architect Horace W.S. Cleveland presented his master plan for a park to be constructed on 110 acres of land donated by the great, great, great granddaughter of Roger Williams. His original concept of naturally situated drives and walks utilized native plant materials to create spaces and vistas. As the Roger Williams Park grew to its current 436 acres, subsequent park planners introduced more exotic trees, shrubs and flowers in the form of gardens and floral beds. The Botanical Gardens will build on aesthetic character and botanical heritage of Roger Williams Park to advance the study and industry of horticulture and environmental education in the State of Rhode Island.