Free Parking At RI State Beaches Coming On Governor's Bay Day

RHODE ISLAND — Governor Dan McKee on Wednesday signed an executive order making Sunday Rhode Island's 33rd annual Governor's Bay Day.

On Governor's Bay Day, parking is free at all Rhode Island state beaches. From Friday to Sunday, people can also go saltwater fishing without a license.

Also, the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) will waive the roundtrip fare on all service to South County beaches on the Route 66 (URI/Galilee) Express Beach Bus. Route 66 (URI/Galilee) provides weekend-only express service from Central Falls, Cranston, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket to Salty Brine, Roger Wheeler (Sand Hill Cove), and Scarborough State Beaches. Service to the beach will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. The Governor and Lt. Governor will take the Express Beach Bus from Providence to Roger Wheeler on Sunday morning.

"Governor's Bay Day is one of the summer's best traditions and a chance for Rhode Islanders to get out and enjoy our beautiful state surf beaches at no cost," McKee said. "We're also lucky to live in a place with some of the best fishing anywhere. I invite experienced anglers to consider taking a beginner out and helping them cast their first line in Narragansett Bay this weekend."

Parking will be free at all state surf beaches:

• Charlestown Breachway and East Beach – Charlestown
• East Matunuck – South Kingstown
• Misquamicut State Beach – Westerly
• Roger W. Wheeler, Salty Brine, Scarborough North, and Scarborough South – Narragansett.