"DGL528's North Providence Page" North Providence by DGL528

The Town of North Providence was set off from Providence in 1769, but on three separate occasions sections of it were reannexed to Providence, with an additional piece of land joined to Pawtucket. North Providence's early history is closely intermingled with Providence and Pawtucket because of these annexations. In 1782 Rochambeau and his troops camped in an area that once belonged to North Providence.

North Providence is centrally located in the Providence metropolitan area, and borders on more suburban communities. Major highways provide easy access to North Providence from any point in the state and connects the town to Woonsocket to the north and to Providence to the south and east, along with Johnston to the west. Although North Providence is the smallest town in the state, its size has not impeded it from becoming a bustling suburban community. One of it's main thoroughfares, Mineral Spring Avenue, offers a myriad of goods and services.

North Providence is home to 6 elementary schools (Capt. Stephen Olney, Joseph A. Whelan, Marieville, Greystone, Centerdale, McGuire), 2 middle schools (Birchwood and Dr. Edward A. Ricci), and 1 high school (North Providence High).

There are 2 parks in North Providence, Capt. Stephen Olney Park, on Smithfield Road near Providence, and Gov. Notte Park on Douglas Ave. near Lincoln. Stephen Olney is complete with 1 baseball field, 2 softball fields, 2 nature trails, 4 tennis courts, a basketball court, 2 soccer fields, 3 playgrounds, a snack bar, and a large hill perfect for sledding. Notte has 1 softball field, a beach by Twin Rivers (east), picnic areas, a snack bar, and is home to a 6 week summer day camp.

It is split into 7 villages, Woodville, Centerdale, Allendale, Greystone, Marieville, Lymansville, and Fruit Hill.

North Providence is bordered in the south by Providence, the west by Johnston, the north by Smithfield and Lincoln, and the east by Pawtucket.

North Providence is one of only 3 out of the 31 towns in the state with a mayor (the other two are Johnston and Cumberland). 7 of the 8 cities (Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Central Falls, Pawtucket, Newport, Woonsocket) have mayors. East Providence has a mayor, however he is not elected by citizens.