Diamond Hill (Cumberland, Rhode Island) facts for kids
Diamond Hill is a cool place in Cumberland, Rhode Island. It's a big hill that used to be a ski area. Now, it's a fun town park! The top of the hill is 481 feet high. On a clear day, you can even see the Boston skyline from there. You might also spot Mount Wachusett far away.
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The Story of Diamond Hill
Diamond Hill got its name because it looks like it's sparkling! It's made of a lot of white quartz rock. This rock shines in the sun, just like a diamond.
Early Days and Settlers
Long ago, during colonial times, the Whipple family settled near Diamond Hill. This was in the 1600s. Later, in the 1670s, there were some small fights nearby during a time called King Philip's War. Today, there's a special memorial called Nine Men's Misery close by.
Mining and Land for the State
In 1877, a company started digging for granite rock near Diamond Hill. People also mined for copper there. Later, in 1935, three people named Philip Allen, C. Faulkner Kendall, and Henry Munroe Rogers gave 235 acres of the hill to the State of Rhode Island. Soon after, paths for skiing were made on the hill.
Skiing at Diamond Hill
For many years, Diamond Hill was a popular spot for skiing! It had two small ski areas. Ski Valley operated from 1939 to 1981. Diamond Hill Reservation was open from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s.
How Skiing Started and Grew
When the first ski area opened in 1939, skiers had to hike up the hill. Then they could ski down! But soon, things got easier. The ski areas added special lifts to take people up. They had rope tows, a T-bar, and even two-person chair lifts.
The Ski Areas Close
In the 1980s, the ski areas slowly started to close. Some of the lifts and equipment were sold. By the mid-1980s, skiing at Diamond Hill was no longer happening.
Diamond Hill Park Today
In 1997, the town of Cumberland bought Diamond Hill from the State. Now, it's a big 373-acre town park! It's a great place for outdoor fun.
What You Can Do at the Park
- Sports: There are athletic fields where you can play games.
- Picnics: You can enjoy a meal with your family and friends in the picnic areas.
- Hiking: The park has 3.8 miles of hiking trails. You can explore the woods and enjoy nature.
- Music: There's a bandstand near the pond where events are sometimes held.
- Warner Trail: Diamond Hill Park is also the start of the long, thirty-three-mile Warner Trail.
Fun Events at Diamond Hill
Diamond Hill Park hosts some exciting events each year!
Cumberlandfest
Every August, the park comes alive with Cumberlandfest! This is a big carnival with rides and lots of different things to see and do. There's live entertainment and a small fireworks show. The money raised helps support the town's sports programs. Thousands of people come to this event every year!
The "13th World" Spook Trail
Since 2002, there has been a spooky event in the woods of Diamond Hill Park. It used to be called "Haunted Hill" or "Spook Trail." Now, it's known as "13th World." It's a fun, scary walk through the woods, but it's no longer run by the town.
