If you’ve never heard of Quonochontaug Barrier Beach, you’re forgiven.

This exquisite stretch of sand in Westerly is one of Rhode Island’s best kept secrets, because wealthy property owners have tried to keep it mostly for themselves .

”We would love nothing more than to be able to use it year round,” said Joy Cordio, a local activist.

But for years, beachfront homeowners have done their best to block that . At every pedestrian access point, the Weekapaug Fire District has posted signs declaring this is to be a “private beach,” strictly off limits to outsiders from Memorial Day through to Labor Day.

Just in case people don’t get the message, guards stand by all day to remind people.

State officials may be about to change all that.

On Monday at Westerly Town Hall, the Coastal Res

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