Chronic staff shortages
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is reminding beachgoers that as has been the case for several years, the parking lot at Scarborough South State Beach in Narragansett will close on Monday, August 19 during weekdays, and will be open for parking on weekends only for the remainder of the summer beach season.
While food concessions will remain open at Scarborough South on weekends, the swimming area will be reduced to Scarborough North State Beach’s lifeguard area.
The restrooms and showers at Scarborough South will be closed, however, additional porta john units will be brought in for this period. Patrons will still have access to all facilities at Scarborough North and all other surf state beaches through Labor Day.
For several years, DEM has closed the parking lot and restroom facilities at Scarborough South in late August as it contends with a shrinking summertime labor force with lifeguards, park rangers, and facility attendants returning to college and high school.
DEM’s Division of Parks and Recreation has concentrated the remaining seasonal staff at Scarborough North State Beach to ensure that this popular facility has full staff coverage. All state beach facilities will close for the season the day after Labor Day, Tuesday, Sept. 3.
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