Country 102.5 — Did You Know All Rhode Island Beaches Are Now Public? But There’s A Catch

Scott Keeley talked with NBC 10 Gabrielle Caracciolo about the new law for shoreline access. (WJAR)

July 21, 2023

By Carolyn Kruse — I may be late to the party, but hey it’s never too late to share information. I just found out that Rhode Island passed a new law in June which opens all beaches to the public. But there’s a caveat. According to an article in boston.com, every beach in the Ocean State is now open to the public. But wait, the deal is you have to be up to 10 feet from the high tide line. Did you know all of Rhode Island beaches are now public? But, there’s a catch?

Apparently, the law says everyone of the RI’s “beaches are public up to 10 feet away from the high tide line.” Does that mean that even if the top part of the beach is private, anyone can hang out at the coastline? That appears to be the case. So, whether it’s someone’s private property, like a home, or if it’s a business like a beach club, we can get onto their beach. It’s cool they are opening up for more people to seek relief from the heat, but at the same time seems a little strange. What makes it more difficult, the law makes it clear you cannot enter the beach through private property. (Scratching my head.)

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