How much would you pay for a Barrington Beach season pass?

On Monday night, April 7, the Barrington Town Council voted unanimously to follow the Park and Recreation Commission’s recommendation to raise the price of a seasonal beach pass by $10. 

This year, residents must pay $40 for the beach parking pass. 

The council’s approval followed a short discussion. Councilor Jordan Jancosek asked why the town was raising the fee so much. Jancosek said the $10 increase seemed like a large price jump, adding that she was not sure if she was comfortable with the new rate. 

Barrington Park and Recreation Commission Chairman Mike Seward told councilors he was not at the commission meeting where the increase was recommended. 

Tom Rimoshytus was. The longtime commission member was also at the April 7 council meeting and spoke about the issue. He said the seasonal beach parking pass fee had not been increased in five years. (Barrington Recreation Department Director Jean Bellm later clarified that the last time the rate was increased was 2012.) 

Rimoshytus also said that town needs to raise more money because Barrington officials spend a lot of money. 

Councilor Liana Cassar asked Bellm how many seasonal passes the town sold last summer. Bellm offered an estimate: 1,500. 

A short time later, council president Braxton Cloutier said the price increase was needed to balance the ledger, as the town was spending more money to run the beach each summer than it collected in revenue from parking passes. He also reminded councilors that the Barrington Park and Recreation Commission had recommended the increase.

Jancosek made the motion to approve the beach pass price increase. Cloutier seconded it, and it passed 5-0. 

Parking pass rates

The season beach parking pass for Barrington seniors (residents 65 and older) is still free. The resident day pass is $5, and the non-resident parking pass costs $15 on weekdays and $20 on weekends. 

As a reminder, beach parking fees are applicable to cars, motorcycles and mopeds. There is no cost for bicyclists and walkers. Buses and RVs are not allowed at Barrington Beach.

Also, if parking is close to capacity at Barrington Beach, a “Red Alert” will appear at the top of the town’s webpage stating, "Temporary parking closure to non-residents at Barrington Beach."