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FAIRFIELD, Conn. The return of warmer weather means that people are heading back to Fairfields beaches. Heres what you need to know if you plan to go to the shoreline in the next few weeks.
Fairfields beaches are open for all people, but since the beginning of this month the shoreline has been now off-limits to their four-legged friends. A town ordinance bans dogs and other pets from the beach from April 1 to Oct. 31.
The Fairfield Police said the Animal Control Department received an increased amount of complaints of dogs on the beach since the cutoff date. In response, Fairfield Animal Control will be doing extra sweeps of the towns five public beaches.
Anyone found with a dog will be subject to a $90 fine. Dogs are permitted in Fairfields other open spaces, including Ash Creek and the woods of Lake Mohegan.
If you choose to head to Long Island Sound, you will swim at your own risk until next month. Lifeguards will not begin patrolling the shoreline until Memorial Day weekend. And the Fairfield Health Department will not test the Sounds water quality until May, so there will be no weekly advisories on bacteria levels for the next few weeks.
Access to Fairfields five public beaches Jennings, Penfield, Pine Creek, Sasco and Southport is always free. But parking at the towns lots near those beaches and along marked streets near the shoreline require a parking pass starting Memorial Day weekend.
Most Fairfielders will not see a change in their sticker fee this year. All residents can still get a free P sticker for Penfield Beach parking. The cost of an A-level sticker, which covers all five beaches, the South Benson Marina and the town dump, is still $20 for most residents.
Some seniors, however, will have to pay for the A sticker for the first time in years. The permit was formerly free for all residents over 62 and still is for those who receive Senior Tax Relief from the town. But all other seniors will need to pay $10 for the A sticker.
Only Jennings and Penfields parking lots will be open to nonpermit holders. Those beachgoers will must pay the fee: $15 for a weekday and $25 for a weekend.
This summer, people without permits will have fewer chances to fees. The Parks and Recreation Commission decided over the winter to extend the fee collection hours from 6 to 8 p.m. each night and even later for special events.
Beach sticker renewals are available through the Parks and Recreation Department website. If youre buying a new sticker, youll need to visit the departments headquarters at 75 Mill Plain Road, or fill out an application and mail it along with registration information to the same address.
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