The 2026 Narrow River cleanup is planned for Saturday, May 2, 2026.
ORCA is partnering with the Narrow River Preservation Association to clean up the Narrow River (Pettaquamscutt Estuary) Watershed. We’ll meet at 9am at the Sprague Bridge parking lot, then fan out to pick up litter along the roads, parks, and parking lots of the Narrow River watershed.
Please email events@narrowriver.org with any questions.
This popular family science and exploration event is held annually on a Saturday morning in June and a Saturday morning in September at 95 Middlebridge Road, Narragansett.
About What Lives in the River:
All ages are invited to join Narrow River Preservation Association for this hands-on exploration of fish, shellfish, crabs and other inhabitants of Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River. We will use nets large and small to catch river creatures and examine them in touch tanks and under microscopes. Experts and guide books will be on hand.
FREE and open to the public- FUN for all ages! Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All young children and youth should be supervised closely at all times.
Participants are welcome to get into the water, please dress appropriately. Because this is a natural environment, there are sharp objects in the water. Boots, sandals or shoes that can get wet are recommended. The gathering area is a field with grass and dirt surfaces. Wheelchairs are welcome.
Please come to the event even if you didn’t preregister! Walk-ins are also welcome.
Our Fall 2026 What Lives in the River will be held on Saturday, September 19 from 9-11am.
Clinging jellies have been found in Narrow River. Click here to learn more about clinging jellyfish.
Annually in late June, Narrow River Preservation Association hosts a one mile open water swim in one of Rhode Island’s most scenic waterways.
When: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 9:00am (rain or shine)
Where: Swim Start: URI Boathouse – Flagg Rowing Center, 166 Walmsley Lane, North Kingstown, R.I.
Parking for Shuttle: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1240 Boston Neck Rd., Narragansett RI 02882. **For the safety of ALL participants, parking will be provided at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1240 Boston Neck Rd., Narragansett RI 02882. Parking is free. Two school buses will be making continuous trips to the Boating Center starting at 7:15 am. They will also return swimmers to their cars after the swim. NO PARKING will be allowed near the swim start – no parking on Walmsley Lane nor River Road nor at the Boat House.
Swimmers not wishing to take the shuttle may be dropped off at the course, but there is NO PARKING at or near the course.
Registration: Online only. Online registration closes at 11PM FRIDAY JUNE 19th. No day of registrations allowed.
Entry Fee: $45 if registered before June 1, $55 after June 1. Includes 2026 Turnaround Swim T-shirt. Entry fees are non-refundable.
Swim Sponsor: Swim Sponsor: Includes swim registration ($45) one year NRPA membership ($25) and name listed on the 2026 Turnaround Swim publicity ($30). Minimum $95. Any amount above this is welcome. Go to the DONATE section of the website after you register for the race if you wish to ADD your sponsorship.
Distance: One Mile (1/2 mile out and 1/2 mile back). Common start for wetsuit and non-wetsuit divisions.
Limit: 150 participants.
Timing: Ankle chip timing by New England Timing.
Check In: 7:30 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. No one will be admitted to the Turnaround Swim unless they checked in, signed their waiver, and received a numbered swim cap no later than 8:40 a.m.
Maximum Time: Swimmers are given one hour to complete the swim.
Mandatory Safety Briefing: 8:55 a.m.
Safety: Because of the uncertainty of weather conditions such as fog or lightning, the lifeguards and event committee reserve the right to cancel the event to ensure the safety of the participants.
Curious about swimming in Narrow River? Check out this essay by swimmer and Narrow River enthusiast Veronica Berounsky!
All are welcome to this free event.
On Saturday morning, August 8, 2026, Narrow River Preservation Association welcomes artists of all ages and skill levels joined us to create art along Narrow River.
FREE and open to all ages! The gathering area is a field with grass and dirt surfaces. Wheelchairs are welcome.
If you would like to volunteer to support this event, then please VISIT THIS LINK to share your areas of interest with us.
Thanks to everyone who joined us on Saturday, August 6, 2022 for Art on the River
We had a wonderful time creating seaweed art, making fish prints, learning to play hubbub from Silvermoon LaRose of the Tomaquag Museum and then each decorating our own hubbub game to keep!
Time and Location TBA
Join us as we celebrate with delicious eats, annual awards & Narrow River presentations.
at 95 Middlebridge Road in Narragansett, RI.
This popular family science and exploration event is held annually on a Saturday morning in June and a Saturday morning in September at 95 Middlebridge Road, Narragansett.
About What Lives in the River:
All ages are invited to join Narrow River Preservation Association for this hands-on exploration of fish, shellfish, crabs and other inhabitants of Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River. We will use nets large and small to catch river creatures and examine them in touch tanks and under microscopes. Experts and guide books will be on hand.
FREE and open to the public- FUN for all ages! Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. All young children and youth should be supervised closely at all times.
Participants are welcome to get into the water, please dress appropriately. Because this is a natural environment, there are sharp objects in the water. Boots, sandals or shoes that can get wet are recommended. The gathering area is a field with grass and dirt surfaces. Wheelchairs are welcome.
Clinging jellies have been found in Narrow River. Click here to learn more about clinging jellyfish.
Thanks to all who joined up in June 2023 for What Lives in the River.
Here is a list of what was discovered living in the Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River at our event!
Organisms visible to the unaided eye:
Organisms visible with microscopes:
