Campground season continues into October
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that most State beaches will be open daily through Labor Day – Monday, September 3. Scarborough South in Narragansett is closed on weekdays and will be open weekends-only through September 3. Labor Day is the last day of the season that State beaches will be staffed with lifeguards, rangers and restroom attendants.
"With Labor Day just around the corner and a beautiful stretch of weather forecast for the next week, we hope Rhode Islanders take time to get outdoors and enjoy Rhode Island's spectacular state beaches with family and friends," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "Our state's world-class, state-of-the-art beach facilities, parks, and greenspaces are beloved by residents and tourists alike and generate millions of dollars for the local and state economy every year. We invite everyone to head out to one of these incredible places to watch the waves roll in or take a walk along the water's edge."
Non-surf state beaches – including Burlingame State Park and Campground in Charlestown, Pulaski Memorial Recreation Area in Glocester, Fort Adams State Park in Newport, and Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick – will also be open daily through Monday, September 3.
The daily beach parking fee for residents is $6 on weekdays and $7 on weekends and holidays. The fee for a season pass for residents is $30 and, through September 3, will be available for purchase at state beaches. Non-resident parking is $12 on weekdays and $14 on weekends and holidays. A season pass is $60 for non-residents. A 50-percent 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.) There are no fees to access beaches within State parks.
Rhode Island's five State campgrounds continue to attract campers from throughout Rhode Island and out-of-state visitors. Fishermen's Memorial Campground in Narragansett, George Washington Memorial Campground in Glocester, and Charlestown Breachway Campground in Charlestown will be open through Wednesday, October 31; Burlingame Campground in Charlestown will be open through Monday, October 8; and East Beach Campground in Charlestown will be open through Monday, September 3. Campsites sell out quickly during the peak season; campers are encouraged to book their sites early at www.riparks.com. Rhode Island's network of historic parks, beaches, bikeways, and recreational facilities continues to promote quality of life and attract people and businesses to locate in the state. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and supports 24,000 jobs each year. A recent study conducted by the University of Rhode Island found that State-managed recreational facilities alone contribute $311 million to the economy and support 3,700 jobs and nine million visits annually.
For more 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.