Mysterious Door on a Providence Tree on Blackstone Avenue

Imagine my surprise when I came upon a tree with a little red door and gold doorknob while walking through Blackstone Boulevard Park in Providence.

My wife and I have walked "the boulevard" many times in the 30-plus years we have been together. This was the first time we noticed a door on a tree.

We had just stuffed ourselves with fine Indian food from one of our favorite restaurants when we came upon the door at the bottom of the tree about halfway down the path through the middle of the park.

At first, I thought it could be the cumin, coriander, red chili pepper or turmeric from the restaurant having an effect, since no one but us appeared to notice the door on the tree – but it was there.

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My wife tried the gold doorknob, but it wouldn't turn.

We both tried reaching out to park officials in Providence for an explanation or the backstory of how the tree door with the gold knob came to be. Neither of us received a reply.

A belief in tree fairies is deeply embedded in my Irish culture, but Providence is a wee bit more to the Italian side than the Irish.

Since neither of us recalls passing a little blonde girl in a blue dress or a white rabbit scurrying down the trail, it is doubtful that a wonderland exists on the other side of the door.

I am hopeful an explanation of the red door with the gold knob will be forthcoming. If so, I'll be sure to share it. Should you know of the door's origin, please feel free to share it.