Misquamicut State Beach

Misquamicut State Beach
The pavilion at Misquamicut State Beach
Location in Rhode Island
LocationWesterly, Rhode Island
Coordinates41°19′23″N 71°48′17″W / 41.3230°N 71.8046°W / 41.3230; -71.8046[1]
Area51.35 acres (20.78 ha)[2]
Elevation7 ft (2.1 m)[1]
Established1959
AdministratorRhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Parks & Recreation
WebsiteMisquamicut State Beach

Misquamicut State Beach (MISS-kwahm-eh-kut[3]) is a seaside public recreation area in the town of Westerly, Rhode Island.[4] It occupies a portion of Misquamicut Beach, a 3-mile-long (4.8 km) barrier island that extends westward from Weekapaug to Watch Hill and separates Winnapaug Pond from the Atlantic Ocean.[5] The state beach covers 51 acres (21 ha) and is 2 miles long. The main beach has a large with multiple public facilities and snack bar.[4]

Misquamicut State Beach is one of the most popular beaches along the Rhode Island coast and is used extensively by people in the region.

History

A series of hurricanes in 1938, 1944, and 1954 did heavy damage to the Misquamicut beach community. As a result, Governor Dennis J. Roberts instigated condemnation proceedings that culminated in the creation of Misquamicut State Beach in 1959.[5] The beach's 40-year old septic system failed in 1992, at which time waterless composting toilets were introduced which allowed the park to stay in operation.[5] A beach pavilion was added to the site in 1999 at a cost of $1.5 million,[5] named for Westerly native State Senator James J. Federico, Jr. (1946-1997).[6][7] The project was completed with the addition of a 2,700-space paved parking area in 2000.[8] Hurricane Sandy blew much of the beach into the parking area in 2012; the state moved some 30,000 cubic yards of sand back onto the shoreline,[9] and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the beach replenishment project in 2015, using an inland sand source.[9]

Activities and amenities

The James J. Federico, Jr. State Beach Pavilion includes a bathhouse building with composting toilets, a concession building with gift shop and offices, a lifeguard tower, and shade gazebos.[9] The Misquamicut Business Association sponsors various events throughout the year at the state beach and other locations.[10] The beach is open seasonally.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "Misquamicut State Beach". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ "Misquamicut State Beach". State of Rhode Island Division of Parks & Recreation. Archived from the original on July 5, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  3. ^ Farzan, Antonia Noori. "Rhode Island pronunciation guide: 35 names that visitors and even some locals get wrong". The Providence Journal. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Misquamicut State Beach". Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Misquamicut State Beach History". Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  6. ^ "RI Gen L § 22-7.4-54". State of Rhode Island General Assembly. 1999. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  7. ^ "97 S 1085". State of Rhode Island General Assembly. May 16, 1997. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  8. ^ "Beaches". Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved September 1, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c "Pawcatuck River, Rhode Island: Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study: Appendix B: Economics" (PDF). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. October 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  10. ^ "Events". Misquamicut Business Association. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  11. ^ "Rhode Island State Beaches: Parking Passes". Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Westerly, Rhode Island, that includes Misquamicut State Beach.
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