Misquamicut State
Beach History
ACREAGE:
152
DATE STATE ACQUIRED:
1958
ORIGINAL BATHHOUSE DEDICATED:
June 1960
ORIGINAL BATHHOUSE
VALUATION: $213,450.00
NEW BATHHOUSE
DEDICATED: July 1999.
PARKING ACCOMMODATIONS:
2,700 Cars
PREVIOUS OWNERS:
Department of Public Works and the
Division of Harbors and Rivers
OTHER NAMES:
Pleasant View
Misquamicut State
Beach officially opened in 1959, after the State of Rhode Island
announced its' intention to acquire this beach area damaged by the
1954 hurricane. A popular surf beach with Rhode Island residents,
Misquamicut is also affectionately known as "Rhode Island's best
known and most popular" beach by many non-residents, mainly from
Connecticut.
This State Beach
almost had to close in 1992 when its' forty year old septic system
failed and the Division of Parks and Recreation was not allowed to
build a new leach field. At this time, a solution involving the
Clivus Corporation of Lawrence Mass. and DEM was investigated. From
this partnership came the Clivus Compost Toilet System, a first at a
Rhode Island beach. This waterless toilet system allowed Misquamicut
State Beach to remain open for the enjoyment of the public.
The State of Rhode
Island, Department of Environmental Management has constructed a new
1.5 million dollar bathing pavilion, which opened for 1999 Beach
Season. The new pavilion was designed by William L. Burgin
Architects, of Newport, RI and constructed by Promac, Inc. of North
Kingstown. The village-like appearance includes a bathhouse building
with coin operated hot showers and Clivus Multrum composting
toilets, a concession building including a gift shop and office, a
lifeguard tower, shade gazebos and outdoor cold shower structures.
The new complex, built
just west of the existing pavilion, constructed in 1959 and
dedicated in 1960, is set back slightly farther from the water and
the building will be elevated on a concrete deck. To suggest an old
fashion boardwalk, decking on the pavilion is made from a compound
of wood and recycled plastic.
A $700,000.00
renovation to the parking area was constructed in phase two of
the project, and completed in the year 2000.