And good luck to us all
 |
| Photo by Will Collette |
The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that all Rhode
Island state beaches will be open to visitors with new restrictions in place
beginning June 1. Getting outdoors and enjoying the beauty of nature are
great ways to relieve stress and important to public health.
DEM's Division of
Parks and Recreation recognizes the value of spending time in nature and is
committed to ensuring visitors enjoy safe and memorable experiences at state
beaches and parks.
Today
and throughout the coming weekend, the parking lots at East Matunuck State
Beach in South Kingstown and Scarborough North State Beach in Narragansett will
be open and parking will be free.
However, beach pavilions and their restrooms
and showers will be closed, and portajohns will be available in the parking lots.
The number of parking spots will be reduced, and parking gates may need to be
closed at times depending on beach capacity.
On
Monday, June 1, state beaches will be open daily until Labor Day. Lifeguards
will be on duty and concessions, beach pavilions and restrooms will be open,
although portajohns may be needed at some locations.
Online beach pass sales
are now available at www.riparks.com/beachpass for individuals to purchase
resident, non-resident and senior season beach passes.
Parking charges will be
in effect starting June 1 and the number of parking spots will be reduced at
most locations. Parking gates may need to be closed at times depending on beach
capacity. New this year, beach attendants will be collecting parking fees until
6 PM daily.
Salty's
– the beach concessionaire at Roger Wheeler State Beach, East Matunuck State
Beach, Salty Brine State Beach, Scarborough State Beach, and the newly rebuilt
Misquamicut State Beach – has rolled out a new online ordering website as part
of their reopening plans.
Beachgoers can make purchases at Salty's at
http://www.saltysri.com/ and will receive a text message when their order is
ready for pick up. DEM encourages the public to use this service in order to
reduce lines and crowding in and around the concession areas.
Visitors
Must Continue to Abide by Rules Regarding Social Distancing, Group Size to
Safely Enjoy the Outdoors
DEM
understands that this is a unique season and the beach experience will be
different. Whether in the sand or the waves, beachgoers will be required to
follow social distancing guidelines and remain at least six feet from others
outside their household. When you follow these guidelines, you are doing your
part to keep yourself and others safe and healthy.
While
enjoying outdoor spaces, residents must continue to follow the CDC and RI
Department of Health guidelines for preventing the spread COVID-19:
•
If you're not feeling well, stay home! Signs and symptoms of coronavirus
include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
•
Practice social distancing by keeping at least six feet of distance between
yourself and others, even when outdoors.
•
For the safety of all visitors, please have a face covering with you and wear
it in public areas and if you are within 6 feet of another person who is
outside your household. The only exceptions from these rules are for people
with disabilities, anyone whose health would be in jeopardy because of wearing
a face covering or any children under 2 years old.
•
Avoid close contact with others outside your household, such as shaking hands,
hugging, or high-fives.
•
Bring and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
•
Avoid unnecessary contact with surfaces that are often touched, such as
doorknobs and handrails.
Beachgoers
Encouraged to Purchase Parking Passes Online
DEM
encourages beachgoers to "Beach More, Wait Less" by buying resident,
non-resident, and senior season beach passes online at
www.riparks.com/beachpass before going to the beach this summer. Season beach
parking passes may also be purchased in person at all state beach locations on
weekdays and on weekends and holidays at the Scarborough overflow lot.
New this
year, daily flex passes will be available for purchase online at
www.riparks.com/beachpass by mid-June. Online credit card purchases are charged
a 6% transaction charge; the total for a $30 RI resident season pass purchased
online is $31.80.
In-person
opportunities to buy season beach parking passes are available at the following
locations:
o
The Scarborough State Beach overflow lot located across the street from
Scarborough State Beach (870 Ocean Road, Narragansett) from 9 AM to 6 PM on
weekends and holidays.
o
Entrance booths at all state saltwater beaches starting Monday, June 1. Season
beach passes will only be available for purchase at entrance booths on weekdays
from 9 AM to 6 PM. Passes will not be available at beach entrance booths on
Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays.
Parking
Fees for the 2020 Season Will Remain the Same as Last Year
The
daily beach parking fee (now known as a flex pass) for residents is $6 on
weekdays and $7 on weekends and holidays. The fee for a season pass for
residents is $30 and, through Labor Day, will be available for purchase.
Non-resident parking is $12 on weekdays and $14 on weekends and holidays.
A
season pass is $60 for non-residents. A 50% discount on daily parking fees and
season passes applies for senior citizens 65 years and older. Fees are based
solely on the vehicle registration (i.e., license plate) of each vehicle
entering beach facilities.
All Rhode Island-registered vehicles will be subject
to resident parking rates; non-Rhode Island plates will be subject to
non-resident rates. (By law, a "vehicle" is defined as any
street-legal equipment, motorized or non-motorized, properly registered for
over-the-road travel.)
Season
passes will no longer require a physical pass to be placed on vehicle
windshields as passes will now be tied to an individual's license plate. Beach
attendants will use hand-held devices to scan the front license plate for
information and anyone who buys their pass online or in advance of heading to
the beach will be able to use newly installed express lanes for quick entry.
Any
Rhode Islander who already holds a 2019 disability beach pass may continue to
use it for entry into state beach parking lots for the 2020 season. Those who
have misplaced their 2019 pass or who are eligible for a new free pass may
contact the RI State Parks Headquarters at 667-6200 for instructions on how to
obtain their pass.
State
beaches will be open daily from Monday, June 1, until Labor Day. Scarborough
South will open on Monday, June 20.
State
Parks
Non-surf
beaches at Lincoln Woods State Park, Goddard Memorial State Park, the
Burlingame Picnic Area, Pulaski State Park, and Fort Adams State Park will be
open daily beginning Monday, June 1, until Labor Day. There are no fees to
access beaches within state parks. All state parks will be open until sunset
beginning June 1. Pavilion and picnic table rentals may be available for groups
of 15 or less starting June 1.
DEM
is working on a plan to reopen state campgrounds. This year, due to the COVID-19
health emergency, there will be a limited number of campsites available at some
locations in order to maintain social distancing requirements, and some
locations may not open.
DEM
continues to accept applications for qualified lifeguards for state beach
facilities. Entry-level and senior lifeguard positions are still available at
numerous locations throughout the state. All lifeguard positions require
certification and special training in first aid, CPR, and senior lifesaving.
Carry-in/Carry-Out
Trash Policy
Everyone
who enjoys parks, beaches, and public outdoor spaces has a responsibility to
keep them clean. Consistent with this ethic, DEM will continue the
carry-in/carry-out trash policy that has been in effect since 1992.
Using
announcements, social media, signage, and advertising, the Department aims to
raise public awareness of the positive values of bringing waste-free lunches
and reusable meal and drink containers to the beach and the negative impacts of
ugly and unsanitary trash on shorelines.
"The
carry-in/carry-out policy is a best practice across the country because it
promotes conservation, fosters a sense of stewardship, and leads to better
visitor experiences," said Director Coit.
DEM
advises everyone to follow guidance about COVID-19 from Governor Raimondo and
the Rhode Island Department of Health. More information about COVID-19 and
Rhode Island's response can be found here:
https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/
For
outdoor recreation updates, visit http://riparks.com/covid19
For
updates on For information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit
www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on
Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.
Related
links