DEM announces weekend opening of select state beaches on May 11
PROVIDENCE [DEM news release] - The Department of
Environmental Management announces that four state beaches in South County will
be open weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning this Saturday, May 11 .
Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler, East Matunuck and Misquamicut State beaches
will be open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, from May 11 until
Memorial Day to accommodate early beach-goers and advance season pass sales.
All state beaches will be open on a daily basis from Memorial Day, the
traditional start of the summer outdoor recreation season, through Labor Day.
"We're excited to welcome Rhode Islanders
and visitors back to Rhode Island's spectacular state beaches this season,
especially following months of major repairs and cleanup from Hurricane Sandy
and the coastal storms that impacted the shoreline," noted DEM Director
Janet Coit. "Our world-class, state-of-the-art beach facilities are among
the state's major tourist attractions and generate billions of dollars for the
local and state economy every year. Enjoying these beautiful beaches with
family, friends and visitors creates memories that will last a lifetime."During the weekend of May 11 and 12, the Town of Westerly will hold the town's Community SpringFest at Misquamicut State Beach with limited facilities available at the beach pavilion. Season passes will be sold at the beach entrance booths on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., weather permitting.
The beach at Lincoln Woods State Park will open on a daily basis, weather permitting, beginning Saturday, May 11. Goddard Memorial State Park beach will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, starting May 18 and will be open on a daily basis from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The beaches at Burlingame Picnic Area and Campground, Pulaski Park, George Washington Campground and Fort Adams State Park will be open daily, weather permitting, beginning Saturday, May 25 through Labor Day.
The daily beach parking fee for Rhode Island residents is $10 on weekdays and $14 on weekends and holidays. The non-resident beach parking fee is $20 on weekdays and $28 on weekends and holidays.The fee for a season pass is $60 for Rhode Island residents and $120 for non-residents.
Resident senior citizens aged 65 and older will continue to enjoy half-price rates on daily beach parking fees at $5 on weekdays and $7 on weekends and holidays. The senior beach parking fee for non-residents is $10 on weekdays and $14 on weekends and holidays. Season passes are $30 for resident seniors and $60 for non-resident seniors.
Season passes will be available for purchase at Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler, East Matunuck and Misquamicut State beaches on weekends only beginning May 11, weather permitting. Season passes will not be sold at the RI State Parks Office in Johnston.
Parking fees at state beaches are based solely upon the registration (i.e. license plate) of each vehicle entering the beach facilities. All Rhode Island-registered vehicles will be subject to resident parking rates (daily and seasonal); vehicles without Rhode Island plates will be subject to non-resident rates (daily and seasonal). The regulations define a vehicle as any street legal equipment, motorized or non-motorized, properly registered for over-the-road travel.
