Inside The Green: Promenade on Providence’s New Outdoor Gathering Space
If you’ve visited Promenade on Providence recently, you may have noticed something different at the center of the property. The fountain that once sat at the heart of The Green is gone, and in its place is a space that feels entirely reimagined. We wanted to know more about what went into the change, so we sat down with Promenade’s property manager to talk through the story behind it.
- What inspired the update of The Green and how does it fit into the overall vision at Promenade?
The goal was to create a space that felt more intentional, welcoming, and usable for the community while still complementing the character of Promenade. We wanted The Green to feel like a true gathering place — somewhere people could spend time beyond simply shopping or dining. The design incorporates both new and existing elements, so the updated space still feels connected to the rest of the property rather than something separate.
- What kind of activities or events will be happening at The Green?
We use The Green for a little bit of everything throughout the year — live music, seasonal family events, merchant-led activities, outdoor movies, fitness programming, and other community-focused events.
Several of our signature events have really become part of the Promenade experience, including Goodies & Goblins, A December to Remember, and Hoppin’ Into Spring. More recently, we introduced Shop, Stroll, Win, which encourages guests to explore the center, visit our merchants, and experience Promenade in a more interactive way. We had a great response to it and are already planning to bring it back next year.
What I also love about The Green is that the programming doesn’t all have to come from us. Our merchants use the space for their own events and activities as well, whether that’s yoga, running groups, bike meetups, or other ways of bringing their customers and the community together. It keeps the space active in a way that feels very organic.
We also try to make our larger events about more than simply entertainment. Whenever we can, we incorporate a way to support a local nonprofit or community organization, whether that’s collecting school supplies, supporting a food pantry, or creating an opportunity for an organization to connect directly with our guests. Earlier this year, we partnered with the Humane Society of Union County, who brought adoptable dogs to one of our events. Unsurprisingly, they were probably the most popular guests of the day. It was a lot of fun but more importantly, it gave the organization an opportunity to connect with families in the community who may not have otherwise crossed paths with them.
That variety is really what I enjoy most about The Green. On one weekend it may be filled with families for one of our signature events, on another there may be a band playing on a Friday night, and the next morning you might see a group meeting for yoga or a run. It gives us a space that can evolve with the community and with our merchants rather than only coming to life a few times a year.
- What design or landscaping details went into The Green that residents might not notice at first glance?
A lot of thought went into the details to make the space comfortable enough that people want to stay awhile. We added more seating, raised planter beds, new landscaping, a dedicated performance stage, a toddler slide and additional children’s play equipment planned for next year. We were also very intentional about blending the new improvements with elements that were already part of Promenade.
The goal wasn’t for The Green to suddenly feel like a completely different property, but rather an updated version of something that had always belonged here.
Shade, lighting, seating placement, and how people move through the space were all part of that conversation too. They’re probably not the features anyone takes a picture of first, but they make a huge difference in how enjoyable the space is once you’re using it.
- How does The Green change the day-to-day experience at Promenade? Is this meant to be a spot people use daily or only for events?
One of the things I really love about The Green is how easily it fits into a normal visit to Promenade. Families can grab a coffee, smoothie, ice cream, cookie, or another treat from one of our merchants, pick up takeout from one of our restaurants, or stop by Fresh Market for picnic supplies and enjoy it outside.
The hope is that parents can sit back for a few minutes while the kids burn off some energy on the turf and slide. Everybody wins.
It gives people permission to slow down a little. A quick trip for lunch, groceries, or coffee can turn into an extra half hour outside with the family, and that’s exactly the kind of everyday use we hoped the renovation would encourage.
- Was there a particular request or feedback that influenced a new or updated feature of The Green?
The biggest catalyst was really the space itself. We previously had a large fountain in the middle of The Green that had become dated, required quite a bit of ongoing maintenance, and unfortunately tended to collect more trash than compliments.
Rather than continuing to invest in maintaining something that was no longer adding much to the experience, ownership made the decision to fund a complete renovation of The Green. That gave us the opportunity to rethink the area from the ground up and focus on features people could use.
Instead of replacing the fountain with another decorative element, we were able to create a much more functional space for families, events, and everyday visits. It was a significant investment by ownership, but one that I think has completely changed the way the area feels and functions.
The Green is a reminder that not every improvement needs to announce itself. It’s simply a better version of a space that was already part of daily life at Promenade, and that’s often what makes a renovation worth doing. If it’s been a while since you’ve stopped by, The Green is worth the visit.
