The Quonset Business Park offers a unique blend of industry, offices, marine based businesses and recreational space. This mix is especially noteworthy during the summer, when park's 168 businesses share common space with the public.
The Quonset Development Corp. (QDC) has moved aggressively with its infrastructure improvement program, upgrading internal rail lines, revamping and building new roads, and demolishing over 200 old Navy buildings. The result is a business park with grounds that are indeed park- like.
The QDC has incorporated drought resistant plantings at its new headquarters. New buildings in the park meet stringent design review criteria, and many existing companies have made aesthetic improvements increasing the overall curb-appeal of the park.
While there are 8,500 people that come to work at the business park, their numbers are supplemented in the summer months by those coming here not for business...but rather for fun.
With nearly a mile of beach, 182 acres of conservation land, a marina, golf course, planned bike path and walking trails, the business park is busy during the summer months.
In the warm weather, and sometimes even when it's not warm, the park's 138-acre 18-hole public golf course is heavily used. The course, owned by the town of North Kingstown, is a major recreational aesthetic feature, and one that provides an opportunity to get out of the office without leaving the business park grounds.
This year, QDC has made significant improvements to the public beaches at the park, the result; more and more people are taking advantage of the waterfront access for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. The beach spans across four separate waterfront areas and we've landscaped, added parking lots, bike racks and fencing.
In a recent newspaper article on summer beaches, the Providence Journal included the Business Park's offerings and said, "The unlikely pairing of modest stretches of sand and surf abutting a submarine shipbuilding manufacturer (General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division) or pool-filter maker (Goldline Controls) is common here, and nicer than it sounds."
The beaches are already used regularly by park employees for lunchtime strolls and members of the general public.
There are two small museums within the parameters of the park.
The Martha's Vineyard Fast Ferry carries up to 400 people each trip from the Quonset Business Park to Oak Bluffs.
The access to all these recreational activities makes the business park a tremendous resource to the town, the state and the Quonset Business Park tenants.
Steven King is the managing director of the Quonset Dev. Corp., North Kingstown.