The Conimicut Village Association (CVA) has always taken pride and ownership in maintaining and improving the Conimicut Village area. Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) provide us with the funding necessary to support businesses and to improve the area. We continue to assist local businesses with funding to improve their facades and, in 2011, we used CDBG funds to purchase five picnic tables for Conimicut Point Park, three bike racks (two for Conimicut Point and one for Donovan Park), and twelve new planters lining West Shore Road on the center of the Village. These funds also assisted in the completion of a new scenic overlook at the end of Beach Avenue. CVA sponsored a "Buy a Brick" fundraiser and to date over 75 commemorative bricks have been purchased, engraved and installed on either side of the walkway at the overlook. These bricks can still be purchased for installation.

In April 2011, CVA held its annual Spring Fling fundraiser to defray the cost of the flowers and US flags that hang from the historic light poles in the Village. Over 150 people attended the event which included a buffet dinner, music and dancing, door prizes and raffles. CVA also hosted its annual Easter Egg Hunt at Conimicut Point Park for children under the age of 10. This event is always a big hit with the young families in Conimicut.

CVA also hosts an annual Festival at the Point in August. The event includes a live band, food and craft vendors, and games for children. Admission is free and attendees can pack a picnic lunch and a blanket to enjoy a free day of family fun with a panoramic ocean view. In 2011, this event had to be cancelled due to Hurricane Irene; however, we are already planning our 2012 Festival.

On the first Friday of December, CVA hosts the annual Christmas Tree lighting in Donovan Park. This year, the choruses of both Hoxsie and Holden schools sang holiday music while the over 200 attendees waited for Santa's arrival. Following the ceremony, all were invited across the street to view the Living Nativity at Woodbury Union Church and to enjoy holiday refreshments in the lower level of the church and to visit with Santa in the upper level of the church.

In addition to sponsoring family-friendly activities and assisting with facade improvement, CVA also interacts with many Warwick City Hall offices to facilitate improvements. This year, after a 10-year wait, CVA worked with the Warwick Planning Department to push the Village District Zone through City Council. Now approved for implementation, the Zone will facilitate new businesses and assist existing ones through changes in both parking and setback requirements and the easing of multi-use restrictions for properties along West Shore Road in the Village.

The Association ended 2011 with 140 members. We meet for about one hour at 7 pm on the second Tuesday of every month in the lower level of Woodbury Union Church. The Community Police attend every meeting and provide a crime report and listen to input from members. Councilman Joe Solomon and Representative Frank Ferri are both members of the Association and attend most meetings. You are cordially invited to drop in to any of our meetings to check us out, meet your neighbors and make your voice heard.