New on Block Island this year is a water bottle refill station on the Solviken Property just across the street from the beach, and just past The Beachead restaurant, on Corn Neck Road. The water fountain includes a spot to refill your water bottle, and a drinking fountain for both people and pets — there is even a water dispenser at ground level for your four legged friend! Don’t forget to keep your furry friends hydrated — it’s hot!
This watering spot was the home to the Solviken Restaurant in the 1950's and early 1960's and many years prior the building housed the Negus family and their blacksmith shop. The building was unused for many years and deteriorated to the point it could not be saved. Thanks to the efforts of the many generous donors in the community, the Solviken property was purchased by the Block Island Conservancy and the Block Island Land Trust in 2012.
Other spots with public water access include a water fountain next to the public rest rooms at the Ball O’Brien Park on West Side Rd., a water jug-filling faucet at the boat ramp in New Harbor between BIMI and Dead Eye Dick’s, and a rinse off shower and foot-bath at the Old Harbor Docks near the bike rental shop.