Couch Corner No More: Furniture Dumping Banned In South Kingstown

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Last summer, someone left an old, red faux-leather couch at the intersection of Post Road and Old Post Road. Little did that unknown person know that they would ignite a controversy and a town-wide joke.

The "couch corner" has become a small-town celebrity, even spawning its own Facebook page, followed by more than 250 people.

The controversy began on Aug. 27, when South Kingstown police posted a photo of the "eyesore" on Facebook, asking the public for help in finding out who dumped it there. Several members of the community commented, saying abandoned furniture could often be found there.

From there, "couch corner" was solidified into town lore, becoming an often-referenced joke in the town's community group.

The Facebook page was started by Shawn Johnson, a member of the Wakefield Village Association. Over the past months, it has documented furniture dropped in the area, from a checkered couch to a sofa decked out in garland and a tree for Christmas.

"I'm just a spot for couches and conversation!" the page's About section reads.

But all of that came to a grinding halt earlier this week, when the Rhode Island Department of Transportation put up a sign banning furniture dumping.

"I saw a DOT truck there a week ago, in front of the recent chair that was there," Johnson said. "They left without taking the chair, then a few days later the chair was gone and the sign was then put up [Monday or Tuesday.]"

The sign reminds residents that the corner is state property and that dumping is prohibited. Violators will be fined $500 to $5,000.

"This has been difficult, but we will all get through this," the "couch corner" wrote in its most recent post. "I’m not going anywhere!!!!!"