March 28, 2024

Sabin Point Reflection Park a Reality

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As the sun broke out over Riverside's Narragansett Bay on Sunday morning October 28th, The long awaited ribbon cutting took place for the just completed Sabin Point Reflection Garden onthe shores of East Providence's southern waterfront.

East Providence High School student and Eagle Boy Scout Liam Wojas, teamed up with Riverside resident and active community volunteer, Julie Grant to conceive and construct the Sabin Point Reflection Garden located at Sabin Point Park. The Riverside Sisters non-profit group offered scout Wojas this as a project and he loved the idea. Wojas brought his proposal to the City Council which endorsed his effort and he and Grant began the project. "The dream I had three years ago was to have a garden behind my brothers Steven and Christopher's memorial bench which come true. Now we can all share this beautiful park together," Grant told the Reporter. Grant's brothers both tragically drowned in 1976. Both Grant brothers were buried in their Boy Scout uniforms, bringing a solemn poignancy to the project for Julie Grant and others.

Grant had previously had a bench placed at Sabin Point in honor of her late brothers along with a life-ring to throw in the water for safety. The idea for a reflection garden with memorial bricks had been placed on hold because of some city irrigation work that would have to go through the area. Each year, Grant leads four or five beach cleanups in the park and she teamed up with Eagle scout Wojas who was looking for his Eagle Badge project. "Liam agreed to take this on and City Council candidate Ricardo Mourato (unopposed in November) helped to mentor Liam and work on this project. "The Riverside Sisters were proud to work closely with Liam and Ricardo Mourato on this special project," said Grant and partner Connie Bradley.

Mourato took a major role in the project by donating supplies and labor. "Mr. Mouurato donated gravel and his cousin, Larry Mourato who owns a construction company offered assistance in bricklaying and other aspects of our project," said Grant. "This is the type of community volunteerism that can bring residents together for a worthy cause. The efforts of Liam, Julie and everyone was very heartwarming to watch," said Mourato.

Community members can purchase a brick with names they want to memorialize. "Ordering bricks for the pathway will resume in the spring. I am very happy with this beautiful project. My sincere thanks to Liam Wojas and Ricardo Mourato for the professional efforts they provided to this project. Julie Grant and Connie Bradley are founders of Riverside Sisters which is a volunteer group collecting clothes, shoes, backpacks, purses and toiletries, etc. for men, women and children throughout East Providence.

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