Crescent Park Beach in East Providence to reopen as a swimmable beach

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Governor Dan McKee gathered with state officials announced today that they will be reopening Crescent Park Beach in East Providence as a licensed state, beach.

The beach has been a non-swimming beach for over a century. Residents have been advised to not swim at the beach due to urban water runoff and industrial discharge.

May 2026 is being targeted as the opening date.

Several water quality improvement projects have been implemented over the last decade at Crescent Park Beach by government agencies, community groups, and environmental non-profits, such as Save the Bay, the Narragansett Bay Commission, and the Nature Conservancy. after non-profits, community groups, and government agencies

Funding for the project was secured by RIODH and from the Environmental Protection Agency.

“This is a great day for East Providence, and for all of Rhode Island,” said McKee. “Crescent Park is a place where people come to sit by the water, enjoy concerts, and be with family and friends. In the near future, people will be able to swim here too. Accessible by the East Bay Bike Path and public transit, this beach will be a destination for people in the city and beyond.”

“Our administration is always looking at opportunities to bring more amenities to our residents and community,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “Having a licensed, swimmable beach here at the historic Crescent Park will be wonderful for our residents both young and old to visit and enjoy for generations come.”

The park is the former site of the Crescent Park Amusement Park, which operated from 1886 to 1979.

One of the park’s main features were bathhouses that ran hundreds of feet along the length of Crescent Park.

The bathhouses were affordable and offered everyone an opportunity to swim at Crescent Park Beach.