Misquamicut State Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids 
The pavilion at Misquamicut State Beach
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 Misquamicut State Beach
Location in Rhode Island
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| Location | Westerly, Rhode Island |
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| Area | 51.35 acres (20.78 ha) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Established | 1959 |
| Governing body | Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Parks & Recreation |
| Website | Misquamicut State Beach |
Misquamicut State Beach is a popular public beach in Westerly, Rhode Island. It's a great spot for fun by the ocean! This beach is part of Misquamicut Beach, which is a long, narrow island about 3 miles (4.8 km) long. This island acts like a natural wall, separating Winnapaug Pond from the big Atlantic Ocean. The state beach itself is about 51 acres (20.6 hectares) big. It has a large building called a pavilion with many useful things for visitors.
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How Misquamicut State Beach Began
Misquamicut State Beach was created after several strong hurricanes hit the area. Major storms in 1938, 1944, and 1954 caused a lot of damage. These hurricanes badly affected the beach community of Misquamicut.
To help the area recover, Governor Dennis J. Roberts started a plan. This plan led to the official creation of Misquamicut State Beach in 1959.
Keeping the Beach Open
In 1992, the beach's old water system stopped working. To keep the park open, new special toilets were installed. These "composting toilets" don't use water, which was a clever solution.
A new beach building, called a pavilion, was added in 1999. It cost $1.5 million to build. This pavilion was named after James J. Federico, Jr., a state senator from Westerly. In 2000, a large paved parking lot was also completed. It had space for 2,700 cars.
Recovering from Hurricane Sandy
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused a lot of damage. The storm blew much of the beach's sand into the parking area. The state worked to move about 30,000 cubic yards of sand back onto the shoreline.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers helped finish the beach repair. They brought in more sand from another location. This project was completed in 2015, making the beach beautiful again.
Summer Season Hours
During the summer of 2020, all Rhode Island state beaches were open. They welcomed visitors from 9 AM to 6 PM each day.
What You Can Do at the Beach
The James J. Federico, Jr. State Beach Pavilion is the main building at the beach. It has many helpful facilities for visitors.
- Bathhouse Building: This part includes the special composting toilets.
- Concession Building: Here you can find a gift shop and offices.
- Lifeguard Tower: Lifeguards watch over swimmers from this tower to keep everyone safe.
- Shade Gazebos: These offer cool, shady spots where you can relax away from the sun.
The Misquamicut Business Association also organizes different events. These events happen throughout the year at the state beach and other nearby places.
