Rye looks to charge beachgoers for Route 1A parking

RYE — Beachgoers may be required to pay for parking along Route 1A in Rye as early as 2026.

Rye officials are revisiting the matter that Tighe & Bond studied 10 years ago. No payment plan was implemented for roadside parking at that time, but that could soon change.

At summer’s peak, vehicles line both sides of Route 1A near state and town beaches, sometimes stretching as far south as Rye Harbor. This leaves little to no wiggle room for pedestrians and drivers. State beaches like Wallis Sands and Jenness have paid parking lots along Route 1A. Many beachgoers, however, park on the side of Route 1A and either walk to one of the state or town beaches or simply climb over the rocks.