South Kingston Real Estate

South Kingston was formerly a part of North Kingston and was first settled in 1670. It is the largest town in the State, comprising 98 square miles, and within its limits is the noted Point Judith.lila delman

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Rarely available, this extraordinary 11 room oceanfront home is located on 300 feet of private beach with panoramic views of ocean and Block Island. This property also offers an additional 1.28 pond front lot with a boat mooring. 5 bedrooms, 5/1 baths, List Price $4,500,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Jackie Hefner - Lila Delman Real Estate. ML# 732136.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. 3-Bedroom, 2-bath executive style beach home to be moved onto site #41. Home to be fully detailed, painted, new kitchen, floors, etc. (Vacant lot with permits available $1,995,000.) 3 bedrooms, 2/0 baths, List Price $3,200,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Sandra Puchalski - Charlestown Beach Real Estate. ML# 655015.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Theatre By The Sea - Restaurant and Bar. Walk to ocean. Priced to sell. 506 seat theatre. Tavern - License-Liquor-wedding and banquets. Beautiful flower gardens. Commercial use. Who can save this spectacular landmark? 0 bedrooms, 0/0 baths, List Price $2,700,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Steven Mcgill - Waterfront Properties. ML# 648258.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Magnificent sprawling home set upon 67 acres of unspoiled land 4284 square feet of luxury living area with attached inlaw or groundskeepers quarters. A field and stream environment within minuets of highway access. This is a one of a kind property. 5 bedrooms, 4/2 baths, List Price $2,500,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Stephen Forleo - Network Realty. ML# 652799.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Cruise to Nantucket, Block Island and Martha's Vinyard from your own private dock on 1 acre with panoramic water views from every room! Enjoy this one of a kind property on salt pond. 5 bedrooms, 2/1 baths, List Price $2,200,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Francis Castrovillari - Rhode Island Realty, Ltd. ML# 662028.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Extraordinary private waterfront location on wash pond. Custom contemporary on 10+ acres with subdivision possibilities. High elevation offers tremendous view potential. 4 bedrooms, 3/1 baths, List Price $2,200,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Claudia Philbrick - Residential Properties, Ltd. ML# 653371.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Come see the views... Waterfront estate on potters pond- elegant home set on over 10 beautifully landscaped acres. Large first floor master suite, spacious great room W/ fp, au pair apt and over 850' of waterfront W/ pond access AND mooring!! 4 bedrooms, 5/1 baths, List Price $1,950,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Janet Kermes - Lila Delman Real Estate. ML# 730837.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Developers take notice -subdividable-3bd-3bth, with 2bd-2bth inlaw. Two floors of wrap around porches. Set in the middle of 24 acres of fields and woods. Views of bridges from 2nd floor porches. Abutts 100 acre land preserve. Easy hghway access. 5 bedrooms, 4/2 baths, List Price $1,750,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Debra Hart - Home Source Realty. ML# 661757.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Newly renovated waterfront post & beam on Green Hill Pond. Total privacy. Unobstructed views of Pond & Block Island Sound. Registered dock w/ ocean access to private beach. Additional 784 sq. ft. Guest House w/ full bath, kitchenette, & water views. 3 bedrooms, 3/0 baths, List Price $1,499,999.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Nicole Harding - Lila Delman Real Estate. ML# 634393.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Beautiful authentic colonial reproduction on 9 1/2 ac of privacy in desirable land & sea w/beach, parking and clubhouse. 6500 Fabulous sq ft of country living at it's best. Amazing indoor poolw/spa that is a must see! 7 Fireplaces, sauna, billiards rm. 3 bedrooms, 2/1 baths, List Price $1,400,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Judith Chace - Residential Properties, Ltd. ML# 634394.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Magnificent 4,000+ sqft home situated on over 4 private acres. Walls of southeasterly facing windows open up to dramatic views extending from the Newport Bridge to the Beavertail LightHouse. One of a kind style and design!(possibilty for subdivision) 4 bedrooms, 3/0 baths, List Price $1,380,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Nicole Russo - R. D. Denelle & Company. ML# 658375.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Custom showplace, private 6 1/2 acre mini estate, master suite with fireplace and private sitting room, gourmet granite kitchen, professional appliances, full kitchen sized pantry, coffered/cathedral ceilings, hardwoods, 3 car garage, horses permitted. 4 bedrooms, 3/0 baths, List Price $1,349,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Bonnie Perrotti - Countryside Real Estate, Inc. ML# 654034.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Enjoy waterviews and boating from this spectacular 2.37 acre waterfront on Potter Pond with private dock. Magnificent grounds, charming 4 bedroom Cape with 2 car garage. 5 bed ISDS approved. 4 bedrooms, 1/1 baths, List Price $1,299,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Luisa Lopes - Re/Max Town & Country. ML# 653627.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Oceanfront charming well maintained home on Green Hill Beach- 3 Bed - open living w/ vaulted ceilings - town water - washer/dryer - deck- spectacular views - sandy beach at your feet - Location, Location! 3 bedrooms, 1/0 baths, List Price $1,295,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Josiane Schieldrop - Waterfront Properties. ML# 730127.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Superbly crafted, brand new 4000+ sq ft, 4 bed, 3 1/2 bath Colonial. Exquisite details, sun filled rooms, private balcony, gourmet kitchen, 3 car garage. Offering craftsmanship beyond comparison! Panoramic views. 4 bedrooms, 3/2 baths, List Price $1,249,900.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Scot Hallberg - Landmark Realty. ML# 731503.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Mini estate mins to town, beaches & commute on a clear day beautiful vistas of bvrtl, nar. river & at night twinkling bridges in the distance. A view & private bath w/all bedrooms, 6 fireplaces, 3 private manicured acres and very motivated sellers!! 7 bedrooms, 7/1 baths, List Price $1,225,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Cynthia Morrison - Re/Max Flagship, Inc. ML# 641792.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. MOTIVATED SELLER, Waterfront on Potters Pond total privacy beautiful views, Surrounded by farmland, permanently protected. Waterfowl abound SpectacularSunrises & Moonrises. Old time South County charm with Modern Conviences. 4 bedrooms, 2/1 baths, List Price $1,200,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: W. Michael Mckenna - White Rose Real Estate. ML# 650271.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Beachfront home on Green Hill Beach - Bright and airy - large deck overlooking the ocean and Block Island - Brand new bathroom - Perfect spot for a summer home. 3 bedrooms, 1/0 baths, List Price $1,195,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Josiane Schieldrop - Waterfront Properties. ML# 730932.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Equestrian estate in exclusive Land N Sea. Custom built 4bedroom, 3.5 bath contemporary on 8.5 acres of rolling pasture. 2FPs, 2 staircases, Cen. Air, Cen. Vac. 6-stall barn with lavette, office, A/C & Heat. Lighted riding arena. Priv't ocean beach rights. 4 bedrooms, 3/2 baths, List Price $1,179,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Ruth Bellino - Lila Delman Real Estate. ML# 638886.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Fabulous opportunity to be on the quiet South Kingstown side of Charlestown Beach. Almost oceanfront with beautiful ocean and pond views. Extra large lot with architectural plans for expansion. Enjoy beautiful sunsets on deck.Closing to be after 5/1. 3 bedrooms, 1/0 baths, List Price $1,145,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Deborah Wilson - Lila Delman Real Estate. ML# 658450.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Waterfront on Narrow River. Enjoy the colorful change of seasons, abundance of wildlife, and rare flowers. Property includes 4 cottages town water & sewer on over 1 1/2 acres. Developement Potential!! 8 bedrooms, 4/0 baths, List Price $1,100,000.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Dale Denelle - R. D. Denelle & Company. ML# 551406.

Single-Family Home - South Kingstown. Salt pond waterfront, mooring, dock assoc, panoramic views, private 2 acres, spectacular contemporary with all the bells & whistles, 3 fireplaces, jacuzzi, hard woods. 4 bedrooms, 2/1 baths, List Price $1,094,990.

For immediate personal assistance and detailed information on this great South Kingstown home Call: Bruce Brast @ 877-855-7913

The Information Data Exchange is an innovative program between cooperating members to provide complete listing information to the public. Listed By: Ned Caswell - Re/Max Flagship, Inc. ML# 551524.

The data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the IDX Program of the State-Wide Multiple Listing Service, Inc. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Coldwell Banker are marked with the MLS logo and detailed information about them includes the name of the listing brokers.

It has an uneven surface, a soil of gravelly loam, based on a granite foundation. Large quantities of grain of various kinds and of the productions of the dairy are annually sent to market from this town; also the fleeces of about 7,500 sheep.charlestown estate real ri

This town possesses great navigable advantages; its eastern and southern borders being washed by the Atlantic ocean and Narragansett Bay.lila delman

It contains a great number of fresh water ponds, and a large salt pond: one of the fresh water ponds, covers an area of between three and four thousand acres.lila delman

The fisheries on the shores and in the ponds of South Kingston are of considerable extent and value. The fish taken are principally striped bass,

alewives, perch and smelts. Some portion of the inhabitants follow a maritime life for a livelihood.lila delman

Peace Dale

Peace Dale is unique among the mill villages in Rhode Island for its extraordinary number of public buildings and for the role its mill has played in the history of textile manufacturing in New England. Much of the development of the village can be attributed to the Hazard family who established the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company here in the early 19th century, and who continued to guide the growth of the town and the mill for over four generations. The power of the Saugatucket River was harnessed to power the looms. The firm produced shawls and fine woolen fabrics for which it became justly famous. In its heyday over 700 workers were employed.charlestown estate real ri

This beautiful church was designed and built by Rowland Hazard between 1870 and 1872, with interior design by John LaFarge. Built of stone with a slate roof, its architectural style is European, making it stand in sharp contrast to the Colonial style of the Kingston Congregational Church. Of particular note is the magnificent rose window of stained glass.lila delman

The principal village in South Kingston is improperly called "Little Rest Hill," for it is quite a snug and comfortable place. It lies 30 miles south of Providence, and 9 south from North Kingston.charlestown estate real ri

Beautiful, historic Kingston Village developed soon after 1700, and is the home of the University of Rhode Island. It was formerly known as Little Rest, though historians differ as to the origin of the name. There were five taverns here, all lively and important. Perhaps it was a little rest for the horses and riders as they came up the road on their way to Newport or Providence.

It originally contained a silversmith, a blacksmith, and saddler's shop, as well as a barber and schoolhouse. Many well preserved examples of Federal period architecture can be seen here. The seat of county and town government was moved here in 1752 with its jail located on the French property. Reportedly Cyrus French made the first beaver hats in America.charlestown estate real ri

Kingston Free Library

Wooden Observation Tower

You can climb this 100 foot, open-air, wooden tower atop MacSparran Hill, named after Reverend MacSparran who was the first Episcopal minister in the area. It was built in 1937 as a lookout to the sea. Enjoy this spectacular view of the Rhode Island coastline.charlestown estate real ri

Wakefield

Wakefield is the commercial center of South Kingstown and a showpiece of 18th and 19th century architectural styles. 196 Main Street was a hotel before it was Stedman's Bicycle Shop. Wright's Opera House opened in 1892, and is today the Campus Cinema on Columbia St. The Main St. Branch at 297 Main St. was established in the late 1860's as a hardware and farm implements store. The Bell Block along lower Main St. was built by contractor Louis Bell in 1899. Stores occupy the ground floor as they did back then. In the upper hall, amateur plays, political rallies, ball-room dancing, and roller skating events attracted crowds of people. What is today Sheldon Furniture at 349 Main St. began as the Sheldon Furnishing Company established in 1857. The building itself was originally located on the other side of the Saugatucket River and was moved to its present location in 1899. 344 Main St., South County Surgical Supply, was originally Kenyon's, a department store founded in 1856. With many renovations and restorations the mercantile center of Wakefield flourishes today with many fine restaurants and shops.charlestown estate real ri

charlestown ri real estate

The beauty of Matunuck Beach attracts many people from all around. Peace Dale Pond Dam is an interesting thing to check out. Why not climb nearby Blackberry Hill. Dead Man Spring is always fun to check out. Climbing up to the top of Indian Burying Hill is great exercise. If you want to get a better view of the area you could always climb Great Neck. Going up to the top of Big White Hill is great fun any day. A cool spot to check out is Peaked Rock. If you want to get a better view of the area you could always climb Sugarloaf Hill.charlestown ri real estate

Interesting geology is available here, Champlin Rock is right here. Take some time to visit Genesee Woods while you're here. If you're here at Matunuck Beach checking out Flat Rock is a must. If you're in a climbing mood you may want to go up on Tobey Neck. A visit to nearby Squally Point is very relaxing. Segar Cove is very close and always nice to visit. Why not go to Ram Point also while you're here. Taking a little trip to nearby Seaweed Cove is a great idea. From the top of Green Hill you get a great view of the surrounding area. If you like swamps you're in luck, The Breachway is right nearby. The view from the top of Strawberry Hill is worth the climb. Great hiking is available along the Clayhead Nature Trail.charlestown ri real estate

A visit to Succotash Marsh State Management Area rejuvenates the soul. If you want to see some interesting stuff take a look at Little League Rock. Why not climb nearby Meetinghouse Hill. Going up to the top of Little Sugarloaf Hill is great fun any day. Getting up on Rose Hill is great exercise and the view is great too. If you want to get up a bit higher try climbing Bluff Hill. The The Hills towers over Matunuck Beach. If you want to get up a bit higher try climbing Mount Pleasant. The view from the top of Broad Hill is worth the climb. Why not go to Deep Hole also while you're here.charlestown ri real estate

Taking a little trip to nearby Matunuck Point is a great idea. Why not go to Succotash Point also while you're here. Taking a little trip to nearby Sycamore Cove is a great idea. Up on the top of Kingston Hill you'll get a great view. Whaleboat Point is very close and always nice to visit. Meadow Point is very close and always nice to visit. From the top of Tefft Hill you get a great view of the surrounding area. Jumping Hill is a great place to go up on if you want more of a bird's eye perspective on everything here around Matunuck Beach. A visit to nearby Perch Cove is very relaxing. There are swamps here too, Green Hill Swamp is not far away.charlestown ri real estate

Getting up on Border Hill is great exercise and the view is great too. If you're in a climbing mood you may want to go up on High Point. Swamps like The Narrows are fun to visit. You get a great view from the top of The Hills.

Moonstone Beach...A rather Interesting Article

Moonstone Beach was a popular nude beach in South Kingston, RI. for a number of generations. As it became settled and building took place the clothed use of beaches that had been traditionally nude increased. Eventually nude use was limited by the late 70s to a section in front of Trustom Pond at Moonstone Beach, so called for the many "moonstones", ocean-polished silicate stones, that were found along the surface.charlestown ri real estate

The land at Moonstone Beach was owned by the local chapter of the Audubon Society which administered it as a wildlife sanctuary for many years. A section of the beach at the end of Moonstone Beach Road was leased to the Town of South Kingston to use as a town beach.

At about 1980, the Audubon Society concluded that it could not afford to continue to support the property. Word of this spread to the beach and in an attempt to assist the Audubon financially, many of the nude beach goers joined the Audubon chapter assuming their donations would allow the beach to continue as it had for many years. This was misinterpreted by the Audubon chapter as a possible attempt at a hostile take over. Empowered to act on the behalf of the chapter, the board at the RI Audubon voted to transfer the property to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 1980 thus avoiding the perceived hostile take over by nude beach goers. charlestown rhode island real estate

The USFWS indeed took over the land at that time and immediately tried to ban nude bathing but the users formed NENA and challenged the USFWS on grounds that there were no laws that prevented nude use of federally controlled lands. The USFWS did back down on this technical point and signs banning nudity were removed and nudity continued unabated.charlestown rhode island real estate

In the years following this, the USFWS determined that a closure of some of the length of Moonstone Beach was necessary to protect recently listed endangered species of wildlife that included the least tern and piping plover birds. The NENA group worked with the USFWS officials to help come up with a plan that would assure co-existence of the beach by both the wildlife and humans. This cooperative venture included assisting the USFWS in education of users about the fragile eco-system issues and the cooperative assistance on some beach projects which included the purchase and installation of dune grass to help prevent dune erosion and special fencing to protect piping plover nesting areas. This continued through 1987.charlestown rhode island real estate

At the end of 1987 the USFWS announced that all of the nude section of Moonstone would have to be closed for endangered wildlife species. The town beach leased by South Kingstown was also to be shortened somewhat. The NENA group negotiated with the USFWS and moved (leap-frogged) the nude section from the front of Trustom Pond to the front of Card Pond to the east side of the town beach. The nude use continued there for one season until wildlife officials from Washington, DC entered the picture and determined further wildlife closure was necessary. The town's beach lease ran for at least one more year but the frontage in front of Card Pond was not under any contract (NENA did try to obtain one at that time) and so the Card Pond side of the beach was fenced off in 1988. Though difficult, people continued to use this area nude in front of the USFWS fencing, especially at low tide as there were boundary issues (**) regarding the state's right of way along the shore. However by the end of 1989 this was resolved and the USFWS was allowed to fence their beach off well into the water per the letter of the law.lila delman

Beachfront boundaries are calculated from known surveyor's bench marks on the shore and are used in conjunction with NOAA tide measurements based on the the 18-year Metonic Solar Cycle, and then used to calculate ocean shore boundaries such as "mean" (average), "high" and "low" tide in most USA coastal states. It is not a visible mark left by tides or other similar obvious visual markers such as washed up vegetation or rocks. Because of erosion factors, legal boundaries of property owners can and have been located well into the water at times. Unresolved however is a conflict with how the state's charter guarantees passage atteh water line. For now, the ruling says the Metonic Cycle measurements are the legal ones.lila delman

Faced with no place to go the NENA group started to look for land to use as a nude beach. Through strange fortune, they managed to get a local land owner to lease a section of his beach front to them starting in 1990. This land was just to the east of the USFWS boundaries at Card Pond where nude users had just been been displaced, and a short walking distance from the privately owned Roy Carpenter's Beach that many Moonstone users used for parking and access to the beach anyway. This association lasted for 2 years at which time the property owner and NENA voluntarily parted company based on the property owner's misperception that there was an increase in usage. Rumors of pressure from elected officials against the property owner were never substantiated. Daily figures were kept by NENA and overcrowding was never the case. Demands by the property owner eventually became troublesome and at the end of the 1992 season both parties voluntarily opted out of the lease agreement. This brought to an end the only nude beach operating on the east coast on the ocean that included a staff and lifeguards for the safety and well-being of its members and other users as a part of its operation.lila delman

This appeared to be the end of matters but as fate would have it luck once again kicked-in and NENA purchased land to the west of their former location near the town of Charlestown, RI. Unfortunately, this area was less-friendly to the nude users and local property owners did not want the outside foot traffic on their roadways that fronted their summer homes, and a campaign was started to get the nude users removed. This effort ranged in spectrum from trying to get the police to arrest people, to frequent vandalism of NENA's storage box which was left on the beach on their property in-season to house their rakes, shovels, lifeguard buoys, and other materials used to operate the beach.

At about the same time the USFWS became frustrated over some people who were still hiking nude in front of the bird fences at Card and Trustom ponds. Because shore access was a right in that state, they needed another way to prevent nude access to this area. This resulted in the USFWS entering the RI state courts and obtaining a redefinition of the state disorderly person statute. This statute which included a component on genital exposure was ruled to be useful to prevent nude hikers in front of USFWS property.

The judge also ruled that any person could be a complainant to invoke this statute. Until this point in time it was considered necessary for a property owner to complain. In all the years that NENA and its predecessors used Moonstone Beach, and later its leased land known to many as NENA Beach, this technicality of law was all that allowed people to be nude - a misunderstanding of the law by local authoritities. With the petition of the USFWS this was changed making all nude (ie genital exposure) use of RI beaches illegal.lila delman

This resulted in numerous problems for NENA at its new location near Charlestown Beach and due to the redefinition of this law at least one person was cited for nudity on NENA Beach in 1993. NENA later erected 4 ft wind screens along its property boundaries to assure that passers-by did not see those inside, thus demonstrating that NENA was trying to shield view and comply with the law.

This prevented the police from being able to cite anyone lying down or sitting down to sunbathe nude. Unfortunately, people had to access the water with at least a g-string or other swimsuit to prevent arrest.

At about the same time some people continued to try and use the former leased area near Roy Carpenter's Beach only to be cited for nudity or tresspass - some paying high fines and being required to appear in court. NENA continued to warn users about this as best they could but outdated Naturist publications and other listings continued to send people to this location only to face legal problems.

As this situation deteriorated, local land owners bent on getting NENA and nude use out of the new area started to complain about sexual misconduct at NENA Beach. Police, frequently in plain clothes, often came to the beach to see if they could observe such behaviors. They even arrived with video camera equipment but none of this activity was ever seen, because it never took place. And given that NENA ran a legitimate family nude beach such conduct would never have been tolerated anyway.

By the end of 1994 it was obvious that the constant problems erecting the windscreens and residential complaints were not going to abate. Late in 1994 the state ruled that NENA had to install porta-toilets on the beach for its people rather than suggesting that their walking down to the rest rooms at Charlestown Beach was enough.

In that the Town of South Kingston would not allow any structures on a barrier beach and the Coastal Zone Management Commission also did not allow this, NENA was forced to close its beach on that point only. The land was eventually sold and the money was used to pay off NENA's remaining debts.

At the end of 1996, NENA ended its existence voluntarily and its membership was transferred to the Pilgrim Naturists of New England in Boston which was formed by me in 1994 after leaving NENA on friendly terms. Information on Pilgrim and its activities is available from the links on this page.

And so that is the story of Moonstone Beach, and the latter efforts at nude beaches by NENA, Inc.

It should be noted that nudity along the RI shore continues to be illegal, at least genital exposure, due to the rereading of the state disorderly person statute. It is speculated that the law could be overturned on constitutional grounds but at present the political climate is not favorable for such a challenge and is not being considered.

Further, while the state disorderly person statute makes genital exposure illegal it DOES NOT make topfree usage by women illegal, and on some remote beaches women are indeed going without tops. However, I would not suggest that on the more populated state beaches. Know the law and know your rights and have copies with you at all times if you try it. The police cannot be expected to know all laws by heart.

As to old Moonstone Beach, the shore front at the end of Moonstone Beach Rd. is still there, and due to the state's right of way to the ocean, a flared area of USFWS fencing has been removed but user but access is limited. The parking lot at this location is overgrown, can only hold a few cars if that, and without a town parking permit (in season) autos are towed out without warning. Further, nude use continues to be illegal as noted above and police may visit the beach telling people to get dressed without warning. Congregating within the right of way may be considered trespass.

Any lack of law enforcement on any day should not lull anyone into complacency that the police are not bothering the nude users or trespassers. They can and do visit, and will cite those offending. I have this directly from a police officer who used to work in that township. Those who may have used this area nude are doing so at their own personal risk and should not be encouraging other people to use it.

The average cost to get out of jail if arrested is $125.00 bail and bond with release on personal recognizance, with a court date ordered to appear on charges of being a disorderly person, specifically on genital exposure. If convicted you could be branded a sex offender in some states and be required to register as such for the rest of your life.

We hope that people will read this page in detail and come to understand the true issues that took place at Moonstone Beach, why it closed, and why its NOT a good idea to try and use it today. The past is gone for now but not forgotten. Advocates to return Moonstone Beach to nude use do exists in our group and we hope to get some area open to nude use at a date in the future. DMK for Pilgrim Naturists of New England

SOUTH COUNTY - When you go to the beach, do you feel like there's less room to spread your blanket than there was ten or even five years ago? You're right.

"Most of the shoreline is eroding," says Janet Freedman, coastal geologist for the Coastal Resources Management Council. "It's not just a Rhode Island problem; it's happening everywhere."

For mostly natural reasons, Rhode Island is losing an average of two feet of coastline a year.

"That's only an average," said Freedman. "They can lose 20 feet in one year but then they won't lose anything for the next two or three."

In 1995, the CRMC compiled a book of aerial pictures of Rhode Island shoreline from Watch Hill to Narragansett Town Beach from random years between 1939 and 1985 that showed how much of the shoreline has eroded.

According to Freedman, the aerial pictures only went up to 1985 because they were part of a University of Rhode Island student's thesis and that was when the project ended. With new funding from the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency, Jon Boothroyd, geologist for the state and University of Rhode Island geology professor, continued a similar pilot study in 1997 that followed erosion from 1985 to 1999.

"The maps up until 1985 are still pretty good today," said Boothroyd. "The average loss is pretty much the same." Freedman said the shoreline loss is due mostly to storms.

Strong wind, waves and storms have taken sediment out of the system without completely replacing it.

"There's a lot of energy on the shoreline and unconsolidated sand moves the easiest," he explained.

Boothroyd echoed Freedman in saying the shoreline hasn't eroded much since 1992, the year following Hurricane Bob. "Erosion happens either during winter storms or hurricanes," he said. Freedman said they have no records of how much shoreline was lost following the Hurricane of 1938 and Hurricane Carol in 1954.

According to the CRMC's figures, East Matunuck State Beach in South Kingstown has seen the worst shoreline loss.

East Matunuck State Beach loses between 2.5 to 3 feet of shoreline a year. "These are barrier beaches that are separated from the shoreline with sand that tends to migrate," she said.

Barrier beaches are narrow, low-lying strips of beach and dunes that are parallel to the coastline and are separated from the mainland by bodies of water or wetland. They were created and are constantly changed by coastal processes like erosion.

Bob Fox, owner of Matunuck Surf Shop on Matunuck Beach Road, remembers playing on sand dunes at a home his father owned in South Kingstown that was destroyed twice by hurricanes in 1938 and 1954.

"I remember them being so big," he said. "Today they're half the size. Erosion is going to happen. It's just nature doing its thing."

Bob Trager, owner of Skip's Dock on Succotash Road in Jerusalem, said the water, which can rise within a few yards of the road, hasn't gotten any higher in the past few years but he said there is definitely a difference since he bought the business over 30 years ago.

"I haven't seen much happening," he said, while looking off of the dock towards Galilee. "It wasn't always this high but we haven't had any big storms."

Scarborough Beach in Narragansett has also seen a big reduction in width. Since 1939, Scarborough has lost 1.5 feet of shoreline a year, or a whopping 97.5 total feet. During a heavy wind and rainstorm, Freedman said Scarborough could lose 30 feet of shoreline in one shot.

"It regenerates itself, but overall there is a net loss," she said.

South Kingstown Parks and Recreation Director Andy Nota said during his 14-year tenure as director in Narragansett studies were conducted on beach erosion at Narragansett Town Beach.charlestown rhode island real estate

"In the winter the tide has been extraordinarily high," said Nota. "However, when the winter weather drops off we got a redeposit of sand."

Nota acknowledged that the studies were conducted during a time when Rhode Island saw no serious hurricanes or Nor'easters. "I can't say we saw an impact in the past ten years but we're overdue for a big storm," he said. "If a hurricane hits Rhode Island then we could see some real damage."

Freedman said another natural cause to lessening shorelines is the rise of ocean levels. According to CRMC reports, the water levels at some of Newport's beaches have risen 2.54 millimeters a year since 1929.

She attributes this to both glacier melting and tectonic movement resulting in land rising and sinking.

Though bad weather is the main cause of shoreline erosion, Freedman points out that there are also manmade causes of beach loss.

Sea walls, like the one at Narragansett Town Beach that was built to protect houses, streets and businesses, have stopped the natural process of sediment reproduction and therefore have contributed to beach reduction.

"When waves hit the rocks and bluffs they would collapse and gradually build more shoreline," said Freedman. "When people build sea walls, houses and any other fixed structures close to the shore, the beaches can't move. They just get narrower and narrower."charlestown rhode island real estate

Boothroyd said the sea wall that surrounds Town Beach is an example of a structure being built too close to the shore. "I'm a big believer in setting things back from the shore," he said.

Beach loss at Narragansett Town Beach ranges from .39 feet a year on the northern end to .66 feet a year on the southern end near the sea wall, some of the lowest rates in the state.

But Bonnet Shores resident Mike Travisano, who has been a season pass holder at Town Beach for almost 15 years, said he has seen a definite change in the beach, especially on the south side.

"It wasn't like this before," said Travisano. "It's going like you wouldn't believe."

According to the CRMC, Roger Wheeler State Beach has had the least amount of beach loss due to breakwaters that protect it from inclement weather.

"It's calm over there but if you get a hurricane the breakwaters won't do nay good," said Freedman.

Wakefield resident and president of the Middle Bridge Homeowners Association, Richard Hunt said he has seen area beaches shrink dramatically since he moved to South County in 1995 and he wonders if the state government is ever going to do anything about it.

"Year after year we pave roads that need repair. We cut grass around the highways," he said.

"It's important to do that. Are our beaches any less important than our roads?" Freedman said the state has taken a serious look at replenishing beaches. The CRMC, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, is in the process of taking bids for a project that will restore Charlestown Beach, which recedes about three feet a year, and restore the eelgrass that is being choked out by sand.charlestown rhode island homes

"We don't want to waste the sand that we dredge so it will become part of the beach," Freedman said.

The CRMC and the Army Corps of Engineers are planning to hydraulically dredge sand from the delta of Ninigret Pond in Charlestown and pump it back onto the beach. Freedman said that due to the scope of the 45-acre project, it has taken years to plan.charlestown rhode island homes

"There are a lot of things to look at. We have to look at grain type, habitats living in the area, the feasibility of the project, do some further studying, plans and specs and put it up for public review," she said.

Freedman also said some people's fears that dredging will harm the natural environment are unfounded in the case of Ninigret Pond. "Some think the sand is polluted, but none of the sand we are planning to use is," she said.charlestown rhode island homes

Dave DeCubellis, owner of Jim's Dock on Succotash Road in Jerusalem, said dredging is a good idea in some areas, especially in Jerusalem and Galilee, but wondered how it would impact the people who live near the beach.

"We lose a lot of dockage when the sand shifts in," he said. "But those projects don't get done overnight and the machines they use are big and noisy."charlestown rhode island homes

Freedman acknowledges that dredging projects like the one at Charlestown Beach, which is expected to cost between $1 and $2 million, are costly but she and Boothroyd both cited Ocean City, Maryland's beach replenishment program as a groundbreaking way to revive area beaches.

In the 1920s new developments in Ocean City went beyond natural primary dunes so people could stay close to the beach.charlestown rhode island homes

Though more people were able to live near the ocean, beaches began to erode because the balance of sand sharing was disrupted. To protect their investment, coastal communities built breakwaters to dam and catch the river of sand.

However, these structures stabilized some areas at the expense of others. Sand accumulated on one side, but on the other side of the breakwater sand eroded more quickly.charlestown rhode island homes

In the 1980s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the State of Maryland developed a plan to stabilize Ocean City beaches through replenishment. Under the project, sand similar in characteristics to the beach sand is mined off shore and pumped to the beach. Bulldozers then shape and widen the beach.

However, because beaches are continuing to erode naturally, beach replenishment has to continue periodically. If there are no major storms, the Ocean City beaches are replenished every four years.charlestown rhode island homes

The cost of the project is shared by federal, state, county and city governments as part of a 50-year cooperation agreement. The cost is offset by a hotel tax and the savings to the area have been huge.

It is estimated that the project has prevented more than $238- million in storm-related damages since 1991.charlestown rhode island homes

"It's the star beach restoration project," said Boothroyd. "They designed it perfectly. The way they designed it was they found a sand supply offshore and they knew it was going to migrate south. So every couple of years, they go grab it and rebuild the beach. They'll be able to have a beach forever because of that project."

Because Scarborough has lost a lot of coastline since 1939, Freedman said there are two options to repair the beach. Either the pavilion and bath houses are going to have to be relocated or the sand on the beach is going to have to be replenished. Freedman said both options could be time-consuming and costly.

"This would be a very big project," she said. "We would have to truck sand in and each truck can only carry maybe 20 cubic yards of sand. That's a lot of trucks." Fox thinks dredging could prove to be a waste if Rhode Island is struck by a hurricane.charlestown rhode island homes

"Could Rhode Island do that? Sure, but it's only a temporary solution," he said. "One-million dollars in work could be gone in 24 hours."

Travisano said he would more than willing to pay extra tax money for a beach replenishment program.charlestown estate real ri

"As far as I'm concerned, if it is going to resuscitate the beach it would be worth it."charlestown estate real ri

Even though replenishment projects can cost a lot of money and take years to plan, Boothroyd said beach erosion is a natural process and people shouldn't get overly concerned about the future of beaches.

"Think about this. If you were here in 1938 and you were going to the beach, are you still going today?" he said. "There will always be a beach."charlestown rhode island homes

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