Maine’s coastline is more than just a scenic backdrop — it’s vital to our state’s identity, economy and well-being.

Earlier this year, the town of Scarborough decided to erode coastal access for Mainers, with the Town Council unilaterally deciding on an unprecedented raise in beach access costs for Mainers and tourists alike. The cost of visiting Scarborough’s beaches rose dramatically in the early morning hours, while season passes were restricted and now cost more for non-Scarborough residents.

This isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a reductive approach to public resource management that harms the community and Scarborough’s economy. Policies governing Maine’s beaches should ensure broad public access, prioritizing the common good over exclusivity.

Despite claims of managing pressure and maintaining access, the recent fee increases implemented by the Scarborough Town Council tell a different story — one of heightened financial barriers for everyone but residents.

Let’s look at the facts:

• The $5 early morning (5:30-9 a.m.) and late afternoon (3-6 p.m.) rates for daily parking have been eliminated, replaced by a flat daily rate of $20.

• The standard daily parking rate jumped from $15 to $20.

• Street parking meters on Bayview Avenue, previously $1, are now $5 per hour.

• Nonresident beach passes increased from $150 to $200, capped to 350 passes from the 435 passes sold in 2024.

The most striking contradiction to the town’s rationale is the data on lot usage. Despite the narrative of overcrowding, the number of “lot full” days has decreased year over year: from 26 days in 2022, to 21 days in 2023, and down to just 17 days in 2024. This occurred even as both resident and nonresident passes increased. The claim that these increases are “essential to manage pressures” doesn’t align with the town’s data.

The Scarborough Community Services Advisory Board’s recommendations, which were adopted by the Town Council, stated: “Keeping our fees in line with surrounding towns is essential to manage the pressures on our facilities while maintaining access … From 2021 through 2024, nonresident beach passes have increased … it has had a profound impact on access to our area beaches. In addition, the variable parking rates and times have caused public confusion and parking conflicts, and enforcement issues.”

This justification is flawed. “Keeping our fees in line with surrounding towns” should not mean aligning with the highest, most exclusionary rates. Many coastal communities remain accessible with free or nominal fees, demonstrating that equitable models are not only possible but practiced. Furthermore, the argument of “profound impact on access” due to increased passes is directly refuted by the decrease in “lot full” days. The town’s attempt to correlate increased passes with parking difficulty is a misdirection.

“Streamlining the barriers” has, in practice, meant raising them. These policy changes have eroded public beach access for Mainers, creating a financial barrier that will restrict our low-income neighbors from enjoying the coast while tourists who pay thousands of dollars a week for rental properties continue to crowd the beaches. This feels less like a judicious policy change and more like an ill-willed tariff on local enjoyment.

The current economic climate of Maine has seen persistent inflation, rising costs and stagnant wages. The cost of beach access/parking fees can create substantial barriers for average Mainers.

People already struggling to afford groceries, fuel and basic needs cannot afford $20 to visit the beach for an hour. Locals often view beach visits as an affordable, spontaneous form of recreation or an integral part of their lifestyle and community identity. When these costs rise, it forces families to potentially sacrifice recreation and enjoyment of the outdoors.

Besides the immediate impact on locals, these policies also carry consequences for the entire community. While beach fees generate direct revenue, pricing out locals might harm Scarborough’s economy. Local businesses rely on business from residents, not just tourists. If locals can’t afford to visit the beach, their spending at Scarborough establishments will likely decline.

The town took a narrow view of economic benefit, focusing on beach revenues while overlooking the interconnected ecosystem of local spending and community vitality.

In these challenging economic times, policies that shut us out of our public spaces are not just damaging, they’re short-sighted. They burden our families, chip away at our community spirit and can even hurt our local economy and environment in the long run.

Next year, Scarborough has an opportunity to reconsider policies that prioritize equitable and affordable beach access that welcome its neighbors who support its businesses and contribute to the community. Let’s work toward a future where Scarborough’s beaches are welcoming spaces for everyone.