PROVIDENCE -- The Department of Environmental Management announces that state beaches in South County will be open weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on Saturday, May 9. Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler and Misquamicut state beaches will be open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, from May 9 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, until Labor Day.
The beaches at Lincoln Woods State Park and Goddard Memorial State Park beach will be open Saturdays and Sundays, beginning May 9, weather permitting. The remaining non-surf state beaches, Burlingame picnic area, Pulaski Park and Fort Adams State Park will be open daily beginning Saturday, May 23 until Labor Day.
"We're excited to welcome Rhode Islanders and visitors back to Rhode Island's spectacular state beaches for the season," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "Our world-class, state-of-the-art beach facilities are among the state's major tourist attractions and generate millions of dollars for the local and state economy every year. Enjoying these beautiful beaches with family, friends and visitors creates memories that will last a lifetime."
The fee structure for the 2015 season will remain the same as the previous four years. The daily beach parking fee for residents is $10 on weekdays and $14 on weekends and holidays. The daily non-resident beach parking fee is $20 on weekdays and $28 on weekends and holidays. The fee for a season pass remains at $60 for residents and $120 for non-residents.
Senior citizens 65 years and older will continue to enjoy half-price rates on daily beach parking fees; those rates are $5 on weekdays and $7 on weekends and holidays. Non-resident senior beach parking fees are $10 on weekdays and $14 on weekends and holidays. The fee for a season pass is $30 for resident seniors and $60 for non-resident seniors.
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.
DEM is still accepting applications for qualified lifeguards for state beach facilities. Entry level and senior lifeguard positions are available at numerous locations throughout the state. All lifeguard positions require certification and special training in first aid, CPR, and senior lifesaving. Information about DEM and all lifeguard and seasonal positions is available on the parks website, www.riparks.com.
The state's job application process has been automated and is available online at www.apply.ri.gov. First-time users must create an account and select a Username and Password. After an account has been established, applicants can build an application by clicking on the "Build Job Application" link. This application can be saved and used to apply for more than one job opening. Paper applications are no longer being accepted.
For those who do not have online access, a computer kiosk is available in DEM's Office of Human Resources at 235 Promenade Street, Room 350, Providence, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to electronically apply for seasonal positions.
Rhode Island is proud to support "Navy Week" throughout many locations in Rhode Island during the last week of May. As a closeout to the weeklong event, the Popular Music Group (rock band) from Navy Band Northeast stationed in Newport will perform free concerts at Misquamicut State Beach on Saturday, May 30 at 1:00 p.m. and at Scarborough State Beach on Sunday, May 31 at 1:00pm.