It will cost out-of-towners a little bit more to park at Barrington Beach this summer.

At their meeting on Monday night, May 6, members of the Barrington Town Council approved a rate increase for non-resident parking passes at the town beach. 

When officials open Barrington Beach later this month, the non-resident parking passes will cost $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends. Last summer, non-resident parking passes cost $10 on weekdays, weekends and holidays. 

Barrington Recreation Department Director Michele Geremia told members of the Council that the Park and Recreation Commission had discussed the resident and non-resident fees. They looked at nearby towns and how much they charged for non-resident parking passes — Geremia said Warren charges $10 on weekdays and $20 on weekends, while Bristol charges $20 on weekdays and $30 on weekends. 

Geremia said the rate change in town will bring Barrington more in line with the neighboring communities, and could promote a better distribution of people using the area beaches. She also said the town could potentially bring in more revenue as a result of the rate increase, and reduce Barrington Beach congestion experienced on hot, sunny days.

A short time later, Council member Braxton Cloutier made a motion to approve the Barrington Beach parking pass rate increase for non-residents. Councilor Kate Berard seconded the motion, and it passed by a 3-0 vote. 

Beach information

The town’s website offers plenty of information about Barrington Beach:

• Beach opens May 25 and closes Sept. 2

• Beach hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Facilities remain open until 7 p.m. There are no lifeguards after 5 p.m.

• Beach parking fees apply to cars, motorcycles and mopeds. There is no cost for bicyclists and walkers. Buses and RVs are not allowed at Barrington Beach.

• Dogs are not allowed on the town beach sand during beach season. (Owners are allowed to walk their dogs on the parking lot to where it ends, and then go on the sand past the town beach.) 

• Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

• Season parking passes are available to Barrington residents — passes are free to seniors and $30 for all other residents.

• Resident day parking passes cost $5, and people must present a Barrington license or vehicle registration with a Barrington address

• Non-resident parking passes are $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends and holidays.