Congress approves Blackstone National Park
In a move that will have funding and tourism implications at historic sites throughout Central Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Congress has voted to create a new national park in the Blackstone River valley.
The newly created park would encompass the Blackstone River along with its tributaries and the canal as well as existing historic sites and districts in Whitinsville and Hopedale. The Senate vote on the park was taken on Friday.
“This action represents a significant step in our efforts to preserve the history and ecology of the Blackstone Valley,” U.S. Rep. James McGovern said in a statement. “It has been a long time coming and I commend all involved – federal, state and local – for their efforts. I look forward to seeing the Blackstone in our National Park System.”
The park’s creation is part of a defense policy bill that will be sent to President Obama for his signature.
Congress also passed legislation to expand the existing John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor. The corridor, which was also reauthorized for an additional six years of federal funding, will now include Auburn and a larger portion of Providence, according to a statement from the nonprofit Blackstone Heritage Corridor Inc..
“The expansion of the Blackstone Heritage Corridor to include Auburn and more of Providence rightfully fills in the missing links in our boundary,” Donna Williams, the chairperson of Blackstone Heritage Corridor Inc., said in a statement. “Both communities are vital parts of the watershed and of our history and they complete the story we have to tell. We are truly grateful for Congress's vote of confidence in our work to reauthorize us to 2021.”
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