DEM: Scarborough, Roger Wheeler Open This Weekend

The Department of Environmental Management announced today that three state beaches in South County will be open weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning this Saturday, May 12. 

, and Misquamicut state beaches will be open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, from May 12 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. 

The beach at Lincoln Woods State Park will open on a daily basis, weather permitting, beginning Saturday, May 12. Goddard Memorial State Park beach will be open on Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, starting May 12 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 26 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 and Misquamicut state beaches on weekends only beginning May 12, weather permitting.   Season passes WILL NOT be sold at the Rhode Island 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.

The new pavilion and bath house at East Matunuck State Beach will be open weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting, beginning Saturday, May 19 until Memorial Day to accommodate early beach-goers and advance season pass sales.

This new facility includes a 1,938 square-foot bathhouse building featuring both large and family-style restrooms, changing stalls, and hot showers. Also included is a new 1,620 square-foot concession building with an office space, a first aid room, and a concession stand.

Public access and use of the facility are enhanced by an expanded deck area that features open areas and covered shade areas. The new East Matunuck facility also includes a new lifeguard tower, two ramps to access the beach, and one ramp to access the parking area. Two cold shower areas are located along the ramps that run from the beach to the bathhouse building.

Much of the energy the new bathhouse uses for needs such as lighting, exhaust and circulation fans, and hot water for showers and flushing toilets is provided on-site by the 10 kW, residential-scale wind turbine and solar hot water heaters on the roof of the building.

The facility also incorporates new composting toilets, and extensive use of natural daylight and ventilation. The existing septic system on site is being reused as the gray water system for the new composting toilets.

Release courtesy of RIDEM.