Brayton Park hosts fast- and slow-pitch softball games for a variety of leagues on three fields. It also includes a tot park and walking/jogging track.
Located near Garden City at the junction of Brayton and New London Avenues, Brayton Park is an expansive athletic complex and recreational grounds framed with tall old trees. Numerous benches and tables dot the site, providing opportunities for relaxation and athleticism for people of all ages.
Atwood Performing Arts Center is considered one of New England's top dance studios. The studio's success is evidenced by the numerous awards and championships its dancers have brought home from countless competitions.
In this 9,000 square foot facility, Bette-Ann Monti Rossi, a former Miss Dance of New England, leads the instruction of dancers aged 3 through their teens. Every instructor is a member of Dance Masters of America and Dance Teachers Club of Boston.
The YMCA is a non-denominational community center with dozens of activities, programs and classes for all ages. The YMCA in Cranston offers day care for kindergarten aged children, a playground, an Olympic sized swimming pool, swimming classes, birthday parties, babysitting, outdoor activities, before and after school care, youth and adult sports, dance classes, fitness programs, first aid certification classes, martial arts and much more.
In 2009 the YMCA raised 1.2 million dollars in financial assistance for nearly 4,000 families in the area in the form of memberships, child care, program fees and scholarships.
The Laurel Hill Social Athletic Club is a private men's club, with a sports bar type setting. It is run by a board of members, and its hours vary. Those seeking membership must appear before the board of directors for approval.
Strike FX Pro Shop is located in AMF Cranston Lanes on Elmwood Avenue. It carries a vast array of bowling balls in adult sizes. Character designs are available in children's sizes. You can also find shoes, bags, gloves and accessories in different styles and colors. It offers coaching from a certified instructor for youth levels.
Jocks Horse Farm is set on an impressive piece of property. The country landscape is picturesque and seems to be boundless. Pair that with the beautiful horses that can be seen grazing and playing as you drive by, and it's no wonder people are drawn into the farm. Jocks offers various types of lessons for all levels of riders. It also offers pony rides, and hosts private events.
The Carolyn Dutra Dance Studio is a family-oriented studio offering a wide variety of classes for children and young adults. Carolyn Dutra Dance Studio offers a professional environment that allows young dancers to grow.
Gymnastics Rhode Island is an association that is devoted to teaching gymnastics and basic fitness to children and young adults. This location offers basic classes for toddlers as young as three years old, and advanced classes for children and young adults who are interested in more of a challenge. It can also host a private birthday party on Saturdays or Sundays.
Dream Big Gymnastics and Fitness is a Cranston-based fitness and gymnastics studio. This facility offers classes for children, teens and adults. Specific classes available include Tumbling Tots (0 - 3 years), Little Dreamers (3 - 6 years), Big Dreamers (7 - 12 years and over), All Boy All Level (training for all male events), Play Gym (structured open playtime at the gym) and Open Gym (non-structured playtime). Dream Big has gymnastics and cheerleader teams, complete with a focused curriculum and professional coaching. Themed camps are held during the summer, and the location is available for birthday parties.
Nutrition Works is inside Body Complete, a women's personal training center. Camille, Nutrition Works' owner, coaches her clients. Inside is a vast array of fitness equipment, such as cardio and weightlifting machines, strength-building equipment and more. The interior is also adorned with images of power, such as a photo of Marilyn Monroe bench pressing.
Studio Exhale offers 75-minute classes (unless otherwise noted) in a variety of yoga methods for all abilities, from an introduction to yoga to classes in the Anusara and Vinyasa methods. All classes are drop-in, so no registration is necessary—although they are held on a first-come, first-served basis (so early arrivals fare best). It also offers Zumba, a dance fitness program that moves to a Latin beat. Studio Exhale's beautiful, expansive studio space is available for rental; call for details.
Cranston National Budlong Little League is a baseball/softball youth league. Both boys and girls are able to play in T-ball, minor and major leagues. Games are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while practices take place all week. There are three manicured ball fields and a well-stocked snack bar that accepts cash only. There are bleachers for spectators, but most people bring their own chairs.
The Providence Revolver Club is an indoor shooting range that has been open since 1903. Its members have 24-hour access inside the air-conditioned building and can practice shooting at one of six fully-automated turning targets. All gun smoke is filtered out of the building by a large air filtration system. The club also has an extensive library of videos and publications on firearm safety available to members. Visit its website for more information.
Run by the Diocese of Providence, Rejoice In Hope Youth Center is a gathering place and community center for The Youth Ministry Institute, a training program for adults to learn to minister to the youth. The group is directed by Pat Kane and Reverend Timothy Lenlin and meets at Rejoice in Hope Youth Center almost every Thursday night. For the last 25 years, from September until the end of October, the Youth Center also converts to an attraction called the Haunted Labyrinth. A complete list of times the Haunted Labyrinth is open can be found on the website.
Legion Bowl has been a staple in Cranston since 1948 and relocated from its original location to Park Avenue in 1962. Use their Papa Gino's discount or bring your own catering. Rock and bowl parties host 15 to 20 people from 7pm - 9pm, without pressure the to wrap up your game. Groups and individuals enjoy bowling, billiards, a redemption arcade, a full pub and live entertainment. The exterior is tan and inconspicuous, but it may surprise you to find all that's going on inside.
Body Complete is a fitness center designed for women that offers weights, cardio equipment and a variety of classes, including spin, Pilates and Zumba. There are no sign-up fees and walk-ins are welcome.
Cranston Stebbins Stadium features a football field with stadium seating, a baseball field, two tennis courts and a basketball court. The stadium is the site of many athletic contests, the annual Fall Harvest Festival, marching band competitions and intramural sports games. The football field is also used for field hockey, lacrosse and soccer games. Along with high school games, the baseball field hosts games played by several amateur leagues. The stadium has an extensive history and was once a professional baseball field.
