Two Rye beaches – Playland Beach and Oakland Beach – are opening this weekend subject to various restrictions.
The two beaches are adjacent to one another but are run by two different government entities. New York City beaches are expected to remain closed this weekend, so there is a concern (and related policies in place) to keep New York City residents off these two beaches.
Both Westchester County and the Town of Rye have said in various forums that future beach openings and rules will be dependent on how things unfold this Memorial Day Weekend. Expect for both entities to maintain, modify or change the policies after the weekend.
Here is what you need to know.
Playland Beach:
- Run by Westchester County;
- Opening for the season and at reduced capacity on Friday, May 22, through Monday, May 25;
- Beaches will be open from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with no admittance after 6 p.m.;
- Open to Westchester residents only;
- Visitors will be required to verify their Westchester residency with their Westchester County Park Pass or driver’s license with a Westchester address;
- All beach-goers are required to follow park staff’s instructions and posted signs regarding social distancing protocols and everyone must have a mask;
- Parking at Playland is $5 per car with the park pass and $10 per car without. Admission to the beaches is $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 5 to 11 and free for children under age 5 and under;
- No food concessions will be open. Bathrooms will be open; showers and locker rooms will be closed.
Oakland Beach (at Rye Town Park)
- Run by the Town of Rye;
- Rye Town Park and Beach will be open only to residents of Rye Town and Rye City on Memorial Day Weekend (Friday, May 22 – Monday, May 25, 2020). Rye Town includes Port Chester, Rye Brook And Rye Neck;
- The beach and park is open from 9 a.m. – Dusk. Admission is charged and lifeguards are on duty until 6 p.m.;
- Proof of residency will be required before entering the parking lot and the beach. Acceptable forms of identification include: a 2019 Resident Season Permit*, a NYS State-Issued photo I.D. (or other form of official photo I.D.) and a current utility bill;
- Current resident passholders can use existing 2019 permits through May 31, 2020;
- Beginning Friday, (5/22) Lifeguards will be on duty and swimming is allowed in the designated area;
- The beach will operate at 50% capacity. The Rye Town Park Commission has tasked that park’s rangers and attendants to remind visitors to protect themselves and others by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing measures;
- Park restrooms will be open, entry is limited to two people at a time. Attendants will be stationed at the entrance to the restrooms, and the facilities will be thoroughly cleaned every two hours;
- Parking and Day Passes can be purchased on site and online through MPay2Park, the park’s phone app. The park’s 3 onsite kiosks are also available but special reduced-rate Resident Beach Day passes can only be purchased at the beach gates;
- 2020 permits are currently available for purchase online.
