Maritime imagery dots the park, reminding visitors of its proud past as a Port. This is an era of Providence history that the city enjoys remembering - a time when it was an important center of trade for the East Coast. It also brings up more controversial and painful memories of slavery, as many of Providence's merchants (including some of the Browns) financially supported the slave trade. The below left image is an example of nautilus-inspired storm drains which dot the park; real shells of all shapes and sizes were visible under the water at the park's edge. The below right image is one of a series of locally-inspired garbage cans. From far away, the cans look beat up and incomplete. Upon closer inspection, viewers realize that the texture of the cans are actually formed by cutouts of starfish, anchors and seabirds.
The pilings from India Point's days as a spice port still stand at the water's edge. Though the above pictures are recently crafted symbols reminding viewers of the park's past, these pilings are genuine artifacts. Their odd shapes also reveal a natural memory: a record of the timeless tide of the ocean.
I think the most beautiful crafted remembrance of India Point's life as a port is the mural at the North end of the playground. This incredible piece of art shows a colorful port scene, full of boats from many ages of technology, people of all colors, animals, and ocean life, all with the buildings of Providence as the backdrop. This is a proud, vibrant memory of Providence
Back to India Point Park: Memory
