The Summer of 2025 was a record-setting winner in #MiddletownRI according to the financials provided to the Town Council Monday night. Local leaders said work is already underway to try to make Summer 2026 even better.
RECORD SETTING SUMMER FOR MIDDLETOWN BEACHES, CAMPGROUND
MIDDLETOWN, RI (DECEMBER 2, 2025) – By all measures, the Summer of 2025 was a pretty good one at Middletown’s beaches and the Second Beach Family Campground.
Recently released financials cemented this assertion.
At a meeting Monday night in Town Hall, the Town Council learned a record total of seasonal revenues came into Second and Third beaches and the Sachuest Point Road campground — more than $2.5 million.
Local leaders applauded the news, saying the amazing weather, conditions and hard work of the staff made it hard summer to beat.
“I want to thank everyone who contributed to this and helped make last summer such a safe and enjoyable one for our residents and beach patrons,” said Will Cronin, Operations & Facility Manager who oversees the beaches. “It takes everyone pulling the same direction as part of the team to achieve such success.”
At the same time, Cronin said it was no time for Middletown to sit back and rest on its success.
Rather, Cronin said he and other staff are already looking at ways to fine tune the operation and save without cutting into the overall experience. Numbers from the Finance Department indicated the beaches also spent a record total of $2.1 million, mostly due to rising labor costs and related expenses.
Progress is being made on plans from the Beach Commission to add a 700-square-foot deck to the existing pavilion. That effort is expected to be completed well before the unofficial start of beach season on Memorial Day weekend in late May 2026.
Temporary fencing was installed across many walkways to the beach this offseason in hopes of catching and keeping more sand through the rougher winter months. That fencing will be removed well in advance of Memorial Day too.
“Once one beach season is over, we step back and start working on the next season almost immediately,” Cronin said. “There’s a constant discussion about what worked, what needs fixing and where we can do better.”
Unlike some other beaches in Rhode Island, there’s never a fee to walk and bicycle to Second and Third beaches.
The revenue created comes from parking in one of the approximately 1,700 spots at the beaches.
Residents can pay $90 for a seasonal parking pass, which is $85 for senior citizens to park at either beach. The cost of a seasonal parking pass for nonresidents is $180 and $170 for nonresident seniors to park at Second Beach on Sachuest Point Road.
The daily parking rate is $25 weekdays and $35 weekends and holidays.
Changes to any of the parking rates need approval of the Town Council before going into effect. That item is expected to come up for discussion during the council’s discussion of the proposed Fiscal 2027 budget, which traditionally beings in the spring.
The previous high revenue mark for Middletown beaches — $2.3 million — was the Summer of 2024, when the current parking rates were set by the council.
“A lot of this is weather driven, more than the expenses are to a certain degree,” council President Paul M. Rodrigues said. “It’s amazing how much the campground makes.”
“Let’s be honest — this summer was exceptional from a weather perspective,” Cronin said. “After a little bit of a slow start, every weekend and almost every day was beautiful, sunny and warm. When everything comes together like that, the beaches get busier. Fingers crossed for the same next summer.”
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-25
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
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