Coincides
with school vacation week
The
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that four state
campgrounds will open for the season on Friday, April 12.
This
year's opening of Burlingame, Charlestown Breachway, Fishermen's Memorial, and
George Washington Memorial State Campgrounds coincides with the beginning of
school vacation week, giving families an extra opportunity to enjoy the natural
beauty of the South County and northern Rhode Island countryside.
East
Beach State Campground, in Charlestown, opens on Friday, May 24.
The
campground openings in Charlestown and Narragansett give anglers in southern
Rhode Island a place to camp while awaiting the Saturday, April 13, opening of
the trout fishing season.
Many anglers in northern Rhode Island traditionally camp at George Washington Memorial Campground, DEM's 100-acre venue in Glocester that opens for the season every year on the evening before Opening Day.
A
2019 fishing license is required for anglers 15 years of age and older. A Trout
Conservation Stamp is also required of anyone wishing to keep or possess a
trout or to fish in a catch-and-release or "fly-fishing only" area.
Trout
Stamps are not required for persons possessing trout taken from a lake or pond
that shares a border with Rhode Island. Fishing licenses can only be purchased
online. Online fishing licenses and the Trout Conservation Stamp also can be
obtained via an authorized agent.
As
part of a larger network of recreational opportunities in the state, campgrounds
play an important role in supporting public health, attracting tourism,
providing affordable staycation options for Rhode Island families, and
promoting a healthier environment.
Rhode
Island's natural and public assets – including 1,000 campsites, 8,200 acres of
parkland, 400 miles of hiking and biking trails, 200 fishing spots, 25 parks
and nature preserves, and eight saltwater beaches – are magnets, attracting
more than 9 million Rhode Islanders and tourists a year.
They're also an engine that add an estimated $315 million to the economy, generating nearly $40 million in state and local taxes and supporting nearly 4,000 jobs a year.
Last
month, DEM filed a regulation proposing to raise camping fees for the first
time since 2002.
This would put camping fees more in line with the rates charged by public and private campgrounds both in Rhode Island and nearby states, as required by law. DEM is seeking to shift a portion of the funding burden for camping and site rentals from the Rhode Island taxpayer to the users of these services.
This would put camping fees more in line with the rates charged by public and private campgrounds both in Rhode Island and nearby states, as required by law. DEM is seeking to shift a portion of the funding burden for camping and site rentals from the Rhode Island taxpayer to the users of these services.
As
part of Governor Raimondo's initiative to support and celebrate state parks and
beaches, DEM hopes to reinvest the new revenue – which will be estimated once
the public rulemaking process is complete – back into Rhode Island's system of
parks and beaches.
According
to a recent study, Rhode Island's parks and beaches rank first nationally in
visits per acre but 47th in state support per visit. If approved after the
rulemaking process, the new fee structure would be applicable to new
reservations; rates for campground reservations booked before enactment of the
new regulation will not change. The draft regulations can be found on the
Secretary of State's website.
Since
2012 and using the Rhode Island Capital Plan Fund, DEM has invested $6.3M in
campground upgrades. These include $5.4M for utility upgrades and new bathrooms
at Fishermen's Memorial Campground in Narragansett and $898K to bring modern,
fully accessible restrooms and shower facilities to George Washington Memorial
Campground in Glocester for the first time.
With
new fees and funding, DEM hopes to improve state parks and campgrounds and
improve visitor services and amenities with cleaner facilities and bathrooms,
new and expanded outdoor recreation opportunities such as bike rentals and
kayak excursions, Wi-Fi at some locations, and online state beach passes and
site rentals.
Campsites
sell out quickly during the peak season; campers are encouraged to book their
sites early at www.riparks.com. The reservations program is operated by
ReserveAmerica, a company that manages reservations for campsites nationwide.
There is no cost to the state for the program, as funding comes solely from
transaction fees associated with the services.
Reservations may be made online at www.riparks.com, and through a toll-free reservations line, 1-877-RICAMP5 (742-2675).
Reservations may be made online at www.riparks.com, and through a toll-free reservations line, 1-877-RICAMP5 (742-2675).
DEM
urges all visitors to Rhode Island campgrounds and parks to help stop the
spread of non-native insects and diseases. Transporting firewood can also
transport invasive and otherwise harmful insects and diseases that threaten the
health of the state's forests. Gypsy moth, emerald ash borer, and beech bark
disease are just a few of the growing number of firewood hitchhikers that can
kill large numbers of trees.
Campers can help by following these simple precautions:
Campers can help by following these simple precautions:
•
Do not bring firewood with you when you camp.
• Buy firewood when you reach your destination.
• Don't take any firewood with you when you leave. Burn it all or give it to other campers in the park.
• Buy firewood when you reach your destination.
• Don't take any firewood with you when you leave. Burn it all or give it to other campers in the park.
For
more information about Rhode Island state parks and other DEM divisions and
programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely
updates.
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