Narragansett Outlines Plan To Reopen Town Beach

NARRAGANSETT, RI — Narragansett Town Beach will open in a limited capacity this summer. Parks and Recreation Director Steven Wright said that the department is doing everything to make sure that staff, residents and visitors stay safe while enjoying access to the beach this summer. At this time, there is no set date for reopening.

The beach has 350,000 square feet of space at high tide, Wright said. Using a model that would allow each visitor 100 square feet of space, up to 3,500 people would be allowed on the beach at any one time. While this is a "conservative number," Wright said, it will not be the case right away, instead starting with 500 to 1,000 people and building up over time.

While 3,500 people sounds like a large crowd, it is less than half of the numbers seen on a busy summer weekend, when 10,000 to 12,000 people have been recorded. Weekdays at the height of summer often see 7,000 people or more, Wright added.

There are 846 parking spots available. The West Lot will not be used when the beach first reopens, and it may stay closed throughout the season if the town deems it appropriate.

To keep beach staff safe, personal protective equipment will be provided to all lifeguards, and clear dividers will be installed on lifeguard chairs to allow for two guards per chair. All staff will also receive extra training. Lifeguards will be on duty from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., the same hours as 2019.

Signs will also be posted along the beach with information about coronavirus and safety guidelines. Beachgoers will be asked to wear masks when walking, at pavilions and in other public areas, though not when sitting on their own blanket or in the water.

Restrooms will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will be cleaned every two hours.

In a change from previous years, parking will be enforced from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be open only to residents and season passholders. This will prevent a large flock of people from crowding the beach at the end of the day, effectively negating social distancing and crowd limit measures, Wright said.