Meshanticut

Meshanticut is a Native American term for “well-wooded country,” and the Cranston neighborhood exudes that translation. With homes surrounding the Meshanticut State Park and residential streets lined with towering white oak trees, the community is a natural oasis amid a bustling metropolis. “Meshanticut is considered the heart of Cranston and one of the central areas of Providence, and that great location is a huge selling point,” says Carole Scaralia, a Realtor with Cranston Living who is also a Cranston resident.

While properties immediately surrounding the state park offer wooded privacy and lakeside views, all houses in Meshanticut are revered for their classic New England architecture. Find charming Cape Cod cottages and Colonial Revivals from the 1920s. These well-maintained homes typically have two-car garages or half-circle driveways. There are also a few midcentury dwellings, like ranch styles with low-sloping asymmetrical roofs. Houses here usually have three to four bedrooms, and they cost between $450,000 and $700,000, a range slightly higher than a Cranston home’s average $400,000 selling price. “Houses closest to the park usually sell quicker because they have larger lots,” says Scaralia. “However, the neighborhood as a whole is very desirable and fast-selling.”

In 1892, Meshanticut State Park was the estate of John Dean, a prominent Rhode Island businessman. He donated the 19-acre parcel in 1910, and today, visitors can wander the paved trails surrounding the Meshanticut Lake. While swimming isn’t permitted here, kayaking and fishing are. The 12-acre body of water is stocked with bluegill, black crappie and largemouth bass. Geese and swans can also be seen floating atop its surface. “When I was little, the lake used to freeze over, and we would all go skating,” says Scaralia. “It freezes less often now, but when it does, tons of neighborhood kids use it.” The Cranston Veterans Memorial Ice Rink is less than 1 mile from the neighborhood for indoor skating. The center’s two NHL regulation-size rinks host hockey lessons and 2-hour public skating sessions every day. Another recreation destination in Meshanticut is the Washington Secondary Bike Path. The 19-mile paved route spans from Cranston to Coventry. Meshanticut’s portion of the trail runs alongside William J. Flanders Park, which has a playground and a baseball diamond.

“There are a few elementary schools in the area, but there are always kids specifically walking to the middle school or the high school because they’re right next to each other,” says Scaralia. Children in Meshanticut can attend Woodridge Elementary, which has an overall B grade from Niche. Then, they may go to Western Hills Middle. In addition to the school's overall B grade from Niche, students with no absences at the end of the month are celebrated with a pizza party. Then, at Cranston High School West, students benefit from the B-graded academics. They can take classes next door at the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center to earn certifications in various fields, including construction technology or computer science.

Offering over 60 restaurants and retailers, Garden City Center is off New London Avenue, less than 2 miles from Meshanticut. “This is by far the most popular shopping center in the city. You can find all the essentials and then some,” says Scaralia. Buy beauty supplies from Sephora, purchase furniture from Pottery Barn or get hiking gear at REI. Residents can also grab groceries from Shaw’s or Whole Foods here. Chapel Grille is a popular spot if you would rather go out to eat. Housed in a cathedral built in 1891, the restaurant has a unique setting and upscale American eats, like the bone-in ribeye or the locally harvested oysters served on the half shell. Avvio is another restaurant in the shopping center. Enjoy Italian classics like chicken piccata or wood-fired margherita pizza.

Adding to the neighborhood’s convenience, Meshanticut is about 3 miles from Interstate 95, and an 8-mile drive north on the highway leads to Providence. Residents will also find several Rhode Island Public Transit Authority bus stops sprinkled along Oaklawn Avenue at the neighborhood's core.

Written By

Meghan Baker

Photography Contributed By

J. Michael DeMeo

Video By

Alex Finneran