Potowomut, "land of fires", the Narragansett Indians named the neck of land over three hundred years ago when they spent the growing seasons farming and fishing here. In the 1680's, the first white settlers encroached upon the Indian lands of Potowomut when James Greene built at the head of the tidal river which became known as Greene's River. Here, his son, Jabez, built a dam an a mill, later; his descendants established a forge. Upon James' death, the property passed to his son Richard. A fondness for lavish hospitality and fancy living plunged Richard Greene deeply in debt.

The main entrance to Goddard Park was once the entrance gates to "THE OAKS". All stone for the boundary wall along Ives Road was quarried on the estate. Power for the house was generated in the Power House-now restroom facilities-near the stable.
The farmhouse at "THE OAKS" was built in 1858 and is now the location of the Golfhouse.
"Clammers Road" - the path to Round Meadow - is now the road to the beach. The mansion was destroyed by fire in 1975. Previously the lower floors of the mansion housed the first insect zoo to be established in the United States.
Today, Goddard Park offers to the public by reservations only, 395 picnic tables, 72 fireplaces and 11 game fields and of course, a beach front of about one-half mile long.