Carolina
fishing and beach openings
From
DEM
Adding
to an already busy weekend, DEM announced its schedule for beach openings and a
special event in Carolina for kids to learn fishing from DEM’s environmental
police.
Here
are DEM’s announcements:
DEM
Environmental Police, Partners Host Free Youth Fishing Event
Environmental police officers from the Rhode Island Department
of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Law Enforcement will participate
in a special youth fishing program in Carolina this Saturday.
WHAT: Cops & Bobbers Youth Fishing Program
WHEN: Saturday, May 12 | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. –
4:00 p.m. DEM's Carolina Trout Hatchery, Carolina
Cops & Bobbers is designed to teach youth ages 6 to 15 to
fish, connect with the outdoors, and develop positive relationships with law
enforcement officers in their communities.
The free program is sponsored by the
US Fish & Wildlife Service in partnership with DEM, the Charlestown Police
Department, Narragansett Police Department, and Friends of the National
Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island.
During Saturday's two workshops, law enforcement officers will instruct youth on bait and casting techniques, and the officers and participants will have a chance to fish together for trout at the Carolina Fish Hatchery's stocked trout pond.
During Saturday's two workshops, law enforcement officers will instruct youth on bait and casting techniques, and the officers and participants will have a chance to fish together for trout at the Carolina Fish Hatchery's stocked trout pond.
According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor
recreation in Rhode Island generates $2.4 billion in consumer spending and
supports 24,000 jobs. As part of a larger network of recreational opportunities
in the state, fishing plays an important role in connecting people with nature,
attracting tourism, and supporting a treasured tradition for Rhode Island
families.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there are
approximately 175,000 recreational anglers (age 16+) in Rhode Island. And
recreational fishing contributes more than $130 million to the economy
annually.
All equipment and materials including tackle boxes, fish
posters, food and drinks will be provided, courtesy of the program sponsors.
Follow DEM on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) or Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM
for timely updates.
DEM Announces
Weekend Opening Of State Beaches Beginning On Saturday, May 12
Reduced
parking fees remain in effect at state beaches
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that
three state beaches in South County will be open weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
starting on Saturday, May 12.
Scarborough North, Roger Wheeler, and Misquamicut
state beaches will be open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, from May
12 until Memorial Day to accommodate early beach-goers and the sale of advance
season passes.
State beaches will be open daily from Saturday, May 26, the
traditional start of the summer outdoor recreation season, until Labor Day.
Scarborough South, however, is scheduled to open on Saturday, June 23. This
beach closes on weekdays starting in mid-August.
Non-surf
beaches at Lincoln Woods State Park, Goddard Memorial State Park, Burlingame
Picnic Area, Pulaski State Park, and Fort Adams State Park will be open daily
beginning Saturday, May 26, until Labor Day. There are no fees to access
beaches within state parks.
"It's
time to get outdoors and enjoy Rhode Island's spectacular state beaches with
family and friends and create memories that will last a lifetime," said
DEM Director Janet Coit.
"The opening of our world-class, state-of-the-art beach facilities is always a special time, and 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. Our state's spectacular beaches, parks, and greenspaces are beloved by residents and tourists alike and generate millions of dollars for the local and state economy every year. "
"The opening of our world-class, state-of-the-art beach facilities is always a special time, and 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. Our state's spectacular beaches, parks, and greenspaces are beloved by residents and tourists alike and generate millions of dollars for the local and state economy every year. "
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.
The
fee structure for the 2018 season will remain the same as last year. 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.)
DEM
continues to accept 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.
Did
You Know that Scarborough State Beach in Narragansett, one of Rhode Island's
most popular and well-known beaches, has almost a half-mile (2,325 feet) of
beach frontage? Almost 300,000 beach-goers – 299,885 to be exact – visited
Scarborough North and South in 2016, spending a combined $29 million.
Misquamicut
State Beach in Westerly welcomed 343,318 visitors spending $44.1 million in
2016, and the most out-of-town visitors (76.8%). Salty Brine State Beach and
Roger Wheeler State Beach had the least out-of-state visitors, with 24.1% and
26.5 % respectively.
Beach
lovers, park goers, nature and outdoor enthusiasts can download the free Rhode
Island State Parks and Recreation Pocket Ranger® App for iPhone and Android
devices.
For
this App and 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.
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