Fort Wildlife Refuge Self-Guided Trail - Smithfield, Rhode Island - Self Guided Walks and Trails on Waymarking.com

Owen Boisvert’s 2022 Eagle Scout Project added QR code markers to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island - Florence Sutherland Fort and Richard Knight Fort Wildlife Refuge Self-Guided Trail in Smithfield, Rhode Island. He created and placed thirteen Quick Response codes (a type of two-dimensional matrix barcode) -- including one at the trailhead kiosk -- which expand on an existing Eagle Scout project from 2017.

Along the trail, each of the engraved brown and white square plastic plaques is mounted to the front face of a small box made of dimensional lumber. The shed-shaped cubes are in turn mounted to the top of square wood posts about four feet tall, also engraved, with station numbers painted yellow. Slightly different than the rest, the trailhead kiosk marker is mounted to its front right post and includes two additional engraved plaques: the first, mounted above, is the simple, 3-step instructions to access the hike's QR code information with your cell phone; the other is set on top of the mini-box and reads:

OCTOBER 2022
OWEN
BOISVERT
[Eagle Scout emblem]
EAGLE PROJECT
TROOP 1139

Scanning that initial code with your cell phone brings you to the preserve's web page which gives introductory information:

Use this self-guided trail guide to explore 12 different stations along the trails, each featuring highlights of this natural space.

Instructions: On your walk, look for the QR codes at each station. Scan the codes using a smartphone to access the content. Or, click here for the printable brochure (PDF document opens in a new window.)

This self-guided trail was created in 2017 by Troop 1 Diamond Hill for Paul-Hugo Arcand’s Eagle Project and enhanced in 2022 by Troop 1139 Slaterville for Owen Boisvert’s Eagle Project to add scan codes to the stations.

Source: Audubon Society of Rhode Island

On the day of my visit, there were plenty of printed "Self-Guided Trail Map" brochures in the "Hiker Info" box at the trailhead shelter. It is encouraged to conserve paper by returning them after hiking or, better yet, scanning the code at each station which presents the brief details about the area near the marker. Each individual link leads to a web page with a few sentences accompanied by a photo or two. The stops illustrate:

1: Ferns (sample)
2: Owl Box
3: Woonasquatucket River
4: The Chestnut Trees
5: Stream
6: Vernal Pool
7: Pond Intersection
8: Intersection - self-guided trail/glacial erratics
9: Mosses and Lichen
10: Tree Changes
11: The Resting Bench
12: Depression in the Ground

The Fort Wildlife Refuge property entrance is on the west side of Route 5 at: 41.961367, -71.55157.

Address: 1445 Providence Pike/Route 5, North Smithfield, RI 02896
Hours: Open sunrise to sunset
Acres: 235
Trails: 3.5 miles
Trail Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
No dogs allowed

Fee?: 0.00 (listed in local currency) Approximate Time to Finish: 1 hour Addtional Website URL: [Web Link] Brochure or Interpretive Signs: Brochure Rate the Walk: Wherigo Cartridge: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
A picture at the start of the Trail or Walk is greatly appreciated. Additional photos taken during the course of the walk would also be of great benefit.

If there does not appear to be a defined beginning to the trail or walk, pick a logical place (e.g. close to parking) or where information about the walk or trail can be gathered.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.