South Kingstown Scraps Proposal For Hospital Parking Lot

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — South County Hospital will need a new plan to expand parking after the South Kingstown Town Council voted Monday night to withdraw the original plan.

The hospital's proposal drew criticism last month from residents, because Narragansett Tribe members say the proposed site is a sacred burial ground. Narragansett Tribe member Randy Noka, of Richmond, told the council the proposal should never have been considered to begin with, criticizing hospital administrators.

"Who would want it done where their ancestors are buried?" Noka said.

"The fact that it happened because it was my people, the fact that it came here for an opportunity to be considered. That's what disgusts me," Noka added. "No one should come to these meetings defending what shouldn't be done."

South County Hospital officials had asked to turn Town Farm Park into a parking lot via a land swap proposal. But an archaeological survey suggested it's likely graves of tribe members are on the property. Hospital leaders said the additional parking is needed to help keep up with hospital growth.

"When the information came, I think the vote became clear that this was not the plan going forward," Councilor Deborah Bergner told Noka. "We do need to help solve the hospital's problem, but not at the expense of the park and your ancestors."

Town officials said the town and hospital are working on an alternative solution.