Valley Falls

A valley surrounded by water and rich in history, the name Valley Falls suitably captures the picturesque backdrop of this Cumberland suburb. “There are so many parks and outdoor spaces with lovely views and foliage, perfect for photoshoots,” says Lisa LaMontagne-Beausoleil, a lifetime local of the Lincoln area and Realtor at LaMontagne Real Estate.

The residential streets in Valley Falls are typically quiet, some with narrow sidewalks and others with old trees shading the quarter-acre of yard in front of each home. You can find 1,500- to 1,750-square-foot raised ranch houses, split-levels and Colonial Revival homes, some with side-gabled roofs and others with Georgian-style roofs in the $325,000 to $550,000 price range. It’s not uncommon to see homes with detached garages and driveways neighboring homes with an attached garage or street parking. Throughout the neighborhood, some older and larger houses have been converted into multifamily 800- to 1,500-square-foot townhouses and condos, priced anywhere from $150,000 to $300,000.

The Cumberland School Department and The Lincoln Public School District serve public school students in the area. “The Blackstone Valley Prep Schools, including an elementary school and a high school, are also great charter school alternatives for families living in Valley Falls,” says LaMontagne-Beausoleil. Younger learners can attend B.F. Norton Elementary School, which receives a B grade on Niche. Students can then progress to a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio at Joseph McCourt Middle School, which receives a B-plus Niche grade. Older students can attend Lincoln Senior High School, which Niche scores an A-minus and ranks as the No. 10 Best Public High School in the state.

Valley Falls locals are a short drive or walk from several scenic walking trails and bike paths. Valley Falls Heritage Park and the nearby River Island Park offer wooded—and in some areas—paved trails along and through the Blackstone River. “The Blackstone River Greenway has a bike path along the river, as well as athletic fields and picnic areas. It’s a great place for picnics or photoshoots,” LaMontagne-Beausoleil adds. “And at Lincoln Woods State Park, wooded biking and walking trails circle Olney Pond, where people also kayak and fish." The historical Monastery Recreation Center, formerly known as Monastery of Our Lady of the Valley when it was occupied by monks in 1900 until a fire destroyed its livability in 1950, is just north of the neighborhood. “Now there’s a library inside, and a huge playground and lots of different walking paths cover the outdoor grounds,” LaMontagne-Beausoleil says.

Near the Monastery, Valley Falls residents pick up fresh groceries at Dave’s Marketplace. Or, when they also need household essentials, they go to the nearest Stop and Shop. For dinner, locals head to La Familia, a relaxed yet upscale Italian restaurant with a classic menu that also includes burgers. On the southern side, Bandidos Mexican Restaurant offers quality Mexican cuisine and fast service. “A lot of people go to the Lincoln Shopping Center off Front Street, where there’s a post office, coffee shops, restaurants and convenience stores,” LaMontagne-Beausoleil adds.

Several bus stops are sprinkled along U.S. Route 122 along the west of the Valley Falls, and Interstate 295 access is just north of the neighborhood. In one mile east, you’ll reach the Massachusetts border, and in eight miles south, you’ll arrive in downtown Providence. It’s easy for locals to hop onto the highway and get where they need to go, but with alluring valley views and tranquil parks in their backyard, people living in the Valley Falls community find it hard to leave.

Written By

Mary Beth Greene

Photography Contributed By

Alan Bates

Video By

GL Moses