Congress Approves Blackstone Historical Park Plan

Congress has approved plans for a new national park in parts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The U.S. Senate on Friday approved the plan for the Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park as part of a massive defense policy bill that was sent to President Barack Obama.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed had pushed the park plan for years. The Rhode Island Democrat says the park will include areas in Rhode Island including the Blackstone River and Old Slater Mill in Pawtucket, and nearby sites in North Smithfield and Cumberland. It also will include areas in Northbridge and Hopedale in Massachusetts.

The area is already home to the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, which links 24 communities along the Blackstone River from Worcester, Massachusetts, to Providence.