East Matunuck State Beach

East Matunuck State Beach
View of East Matunuck beach from the rocky stretch along the beach's western shore.
Location in Rhode Island
Location	South Kingstown, Rhode Island, United States
Coordinates	41°22′35″N 71°31′43″W[1]
Area	144 acres (58 ha)
Elevation	3 ft (0.91 m)[1]
Established	1956
Operator	Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Parks & Recreation
Website	East Matunuck State Beach

East Matunuck State Beach is a public recreation area encompassing 144 acres (58 ha) on the shore of Block Island Sound in the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island.[2] The state beach offers picnicking, ocean swimming, and beach activities.[3] It is open seasonally.[4]

At the east end of the beach lies the small village of Jerusalem. Jutting out from the beach is the stone breakwater that protects Point Judith Pond and harbor. It was built in 1914.

History

The state began securing the area through condemnation proceedings beginning in 1956.[3] An additional 36-acre (15 ha) parcel was purchased in 1967.[5] A beach pavilion featuring concessions, bathrooms, changing stalls, and a lifeguard tower was built at a cost of $4.5 million and opened in May 2012.[6]

• 
  View of East Matunuck State Beach looking west from the east end by the breakwater. It shows the houses along the first part of the beach and the public pavilion in the distance.
• 
  View of East Matunuck State Beach looking west from the start of the fully public portion of the beach. It shows the row of lifeguard chairs and the pavilion.
• 
  View of East Matunuck State Beach looking east from the first lifeguard chair. It shows the houses on the east end of the beach and the breakwater.
• 
  View of the breakwater from the east end of the beach. The boat is the Block Island Ferry.

References

1. "East Matunuck State Beach". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
2. "East Matunuck State Beach". Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
3. "East Matunuck State Beach History". Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
4. "Rhode Island State Beaches: Parking Passes". Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
5. "Land Acquisition/RI Dept. Environmental Management" (PDF). Rhode Island DEM. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
6. "DEM hosts ribbon-cutting for new energy-efficient pavilion at East Matunuck State Beach" (Press release). RI Department of Environmental Management. May 21, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2014.

External links

• East Matunuck State Beach Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Parks & Recreation