Projo — The little-known story ofwhy Narragansett TownBeach can charge to geton the sand

Sep 2

Beachgoers walk along Narragansett Town Beach, the only public beach in Rhode Island that charges for the privilege. Bob Breidenbach/The Providence Journal — Beachgoers walk along Narragansett Town Beach, the only public beach in Rhode Island that charges for the privilege. *Bob Breidenbach/The Providence Journal*

Sep 2, 2021

By Antonia Noori Farzan — NARRAGANSETT — One summer Sunday in 1991, dozens of protesters streamed onto Narragansett Town Beach, breezing past the guards who asked them to pay the $4 admission fee.

Planting a homemade flag that identified them as RI CRABS, Rhode Islanders for Constitutional Right of Access to Beach and Shore, they sat on the sand and waited for police to arrest them.

In the group’s view, Narragansett's insistence on charging a fee to walk on the beach violated the Rhode Island Constitution, which guarantees the right to access the shore. Their eccentric ringleader, James Cavanaugh, had been refusing to pay for years in hopes that he'd have the opportunity to challenge the policy in court. To his frustration, town officials had repeatedly declined to pursue charges against him.

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The Providence JournalAntonia Noori Farzanbeach accessrights-of-wayNarragansettNarragansett BeachprotestRhode Island ConstitutionJames CavanaughJudge Frank J. Williamsbeach feesadmission fees

Cate Brown

Projo — The little-known story ofwhy Narragansett TownBeach can charge to geton the sand

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