Who we are

The Rocky Point Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit advocacy organization, was established in 2009 to help preserve and protect the natural and historic heritage and environment of the land formerly occupied by the Rocky Point Amusement Park on the west shore of Narragansett Bay in Warwick, Rhode Island. The Foundation advocates and supports the public enjoyment of this scenic treasure by working with public officials and others, engaging with neighbors and the public, and raising funds for the property’s preservation and maintenance.

Founders and Officers

John Howell (Current Chairman, Director, and President). A Warwick resident, John is president of Beacon Communications, which publishes the Warwick Beacon, Cranston Herald and Johnston Sun Rise, and co-publisher of East Side Monthly, Providence Monthly, SO Rhode Island and The Bay. John remembers Rocky Point from covering all the events that happened at the Palladium, from City Council inaugural ceremonies to rallies for former US Senator John Chafee. Rocky Point was also the place where his kids found summer jobs waiting tables in the Shore Dinner Hall and washing dishes. John is a founder and president of the RI Academic Decathlon and a board member of the RI Student Loan Authority, CCRI Foundation, and Bridgemark.

Mark Garrison (Current Director and Secretary). Mark is a retired U.S. Foreign Service officer, retired research director at Brown University, and retired blueberry farmer. He was a cofounder of Citizens for a Public Rocky Point, created in 2001 to advocate public ownership and access to the Rocky Point property. Mark and his late wife Betty created the blueberry farm on Rocky Point Avenue.

Kevin J. McDonough (Former Vice Chairman, Director, and Vice President). A graduate of Georgetown University, Kevin is a business executive who has served on the boards of the RI Land Trust Council, the South Kingstown Land Trust, and the Transportation Club of Rhode Island. Kevin’s enthusiasm for Rocky Point harkens back to refreshing summer days in the saltwater swimming pool with its three tiered diving platform. His favorite ride in the park was the Skyliner for the breathtaking views of the bay from the top of the cliff. It is that scenic vista that inspired Kevin to help preserve the Rocky Point property for all future generations to enjoy.

George W. Shuster, Jr. (Current pro bono Legal Counsel). George is a partner at the law firm WilmerHale in its Boston and New York offices. George and his wife Stephanie have lived in Warwick nearly all their lives (they remember seeing each other in The Flume queue in junior high school) and are currently raising their two daughters in the Riverview neighborhood, about a mile and a half north of Rocky Point. George was the valedictorian of his 1993 Pilgrim High School graduating class and continued his education at Columbia College in New York City and the University of Virginia School of Law in Charlottesville. He enjoys sailing, motoring, swimming, kayaking, running, biking, and collecting sea glass along the Rocky Point shoreline.

Other Directors and Officers

Clifford J. Deck, CPA, CFP, PFS, Treasurer. Cliff is president and owner of Clifford J. Deck, CPA, Inc., in Cranston, since 1983. He has been in tax and financial planning industry for 40 years. He a licensed CPA as well as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS).

Kate Stark, Director. A resident of Warwick Neck for 35 years, she is an active member and past president of the Warwick Neck Garden Club, and member and past president of the Warwick Neck Improvement Association. She has been a long time advocate for public access to Rocky Point, and a member of the RFP Board since it's inception.

Joseph Rodrigues, Director. Joe has live in Warwick Neck for 20 years. He has served on the boards of The Warwick Neck Improvement Association, Warwick Neck Elementary School PTA and St. Barnabas Church. He enjoys long walks in Rocky Point with his wife Heather, and his children Ashley and J.R.

Ann S. Gooding, MPA, Director. President of the Warwick Neck Improvement Association, she and her husband have raised their five children here and continue to make their home in this community. A government and communications' professional, she also has a deep appreciation of the urgency of protecting this vital resource as a gift to future generations, just as she was able to enjoy in her childhood..

Pegee Malcolm, director. Pegee grew up summering at Rocky Beach, the summer colony that is now part of the Rocky Point property and has long had a passionate belief that Rocky Point should remain a publicly accessed area. She has a BS from Emerson College and a Masters equivalency from Worcester State College. She was a speech pathologist for Woonsocket Education Department for 30 years. She is currently the chairwoman of the Warwick Commission on Historical Cemeteries and is chairwoman of the RI Advisory Commission on Historical Cemeteries. She is on the board of directors of the Warwick Historical Society, and is a member of the Apponaug Area Improvement Association.

Representative Joseph Solomon, Jr., Director. Joe is an attorney and currently represents District 22 in Warwick which includes Rocky Point. As a lifelong resident of Warwick, Joe spent much of his youth at Rocky Point Amusement Park. Although the amusement park has since closed, Joe advocates for public use of the park and to keep the spirit of Rocky Point alive for all generations.

Tim Forsberg, Director.
Lauren Slocum, Director.