Narragansett Town Beach, one of the most cherished coastal destinations in Rhode Island, is at the center of a contentious debate over public access. As families flock to its shores for sun and surf, activists argue that recent policy changes have systematically excluded the public.
Conrad Ferla, who taught surf lessons at Narragansett Town Beach for over 20 years, said he witnessed the shift firsthand.
“In my lifetime, it’s become more restrictive, harder to get to, and downright strange and exclusionary,” he said.
The beach has long been a favorite spot for beginning surfers because of its gentle waves.
Others disagree.
“It’s not by design to limit access. It’s a result of the situation that we see on the beach,” said Tom Warren, former chairman of the Narragansett Recreational Advisory Board.
In recent years, the cost of enjoying the beach has risen significantly. Entrance to the beach cost $5 per person in 2010. Now, it stands at $12 per person. Seasonal passes for out-of-town visitors have been eliminated, and parking regulations have become stricter. All-day parking along Narragansett Avenue was restricted to two hours in 2011, and a trolley service from overflow lots to the beach has also been discontinued.
Currently, beach parking at Narragansett Town Beach opens the North, South, and Cabana lots to residents, and the West lot to non-residents. On weekdays after 1 p.m., additional spaces in the South lot can open to non-residents, at the discretion of the beach’s manager. Activists like Ferla say that the additional spots are rarely opened.
Some argue the changes to Narragansett Town Beach’s policies are merely practical ones.
Warren pointed to costs like raking the beach, employing lifeguards, and putting on events, as explanations for the increased fees. Revenues also feed into an enterprise fund for the beach that funds maintenance and repairs in case of natural disasters. As of 2023, the fund had a balance of about $5 million, according to the Narragansett Parks and Recreation Department.
Overflow parking and the trolley to the beach were discontinued because the operators did not have enough insurance, according to Narragansett Town Council President Ewa Dzwierzynski.
As for prioritizing resident parking, Gail Scowcroft said that it was a welcome move.
“As a resident living two blocks (from) the beach, I’d have to get to the beach at 8:30 in the morning to get a parking spot,” she said. “It is not a state beach Narraganset Town Beach is a town-owned beach, and so rightly the town prioritizes parking for town residents, which most town beaches do.
“It’s a mindblower. A mile down the road. There’s a gorgeous state beach with plenty of parking.”
Ferla, who grew up in Narransett but now lives in neighboring South Kingstown, disagreed.
“Not just people from Narragansett use that beach,” he said. “People from all over have been using that beach for a hundred years.”
