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Protect Beach Access in Rye NH

Protect Beach Access in Rye NH

Prevent the town of Rye from charging for parking along Ocean Blvd (Route 1A) in New Hampshire.

RECENT UPDATES AS OF 7/12/2026

Recent Progress

After public outcry over the removal of free roadside parking along Ocean Boulevard in Rye, Governor Kelly Ayotte directed the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) to restore nearly all of the parking spaces eliminated.

This action is an encouraging step toward protecting public beach access and demonstrates the impact of sustained community advocacy. While the immediate threat to access has been reduced, this is not a permanent solution. Surfrider Foundation remains committed to ensuring future decisions prioritize both public safety and equitable access to New Hampshire's coastline.

The Challenge

Earlier this year, the Town of Rye approved changes that eliminated approximately 90 free roadside parking spaces along Ocean Boulevard and surrounding streets. The changes were intended to address traffic safety concerns, but significantly reduced affordable public access to New Hampshire's beaches.

While safety is an important priority, decisions that impact access to public resources should be based on transparent, data-driven processes that fully consider how communities use these spaces. Public access should not be diminished without meaningful public engagement, comprehensive study, and exploration of alternative solutions that can improve safety while preserving access.

Our Impact

The Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter has worked alongside residents, businesses, and partner organizations to advocate for a balanced approach that protects both safety and public access by:

  • Mobilizing community members to speak out about the impacts of the parking changes.
  • Engaging state and local decision-makers to elevate concerns around equitable beach access.
  • Working with partners to ensure beach access remained at the forefront of public discussion.
  • Supporting a solution that recognizes roadway safety while protecting the public's ability to access New Hampshire's beaches.

Community advocacy helped elevate this issue to state leaders and contributed to the recent decision to restore the majority of the parking spaces.

What's Next

While the restoration of parking is an important step, our work is far from over. Surfrider Foundation will continue advocating for a permanent, collaborative solution that protects both public safety and equitable beach access.

Get involved by spreading the word, contacting local leaders, and standing up for free, fair, and equitable beach access for all. Reach out to nh@surfrider.org.

BACKGROUND

The Surfrider Foundation New Hampshire Chapter is participating in a grassroots campaign to protect and preserve public beach access for everyone at Rye’s coastal shoreline. Recent proposals in the Town of Rye would dramatically reduce free public parking along Route 1A and adjacent beach-access roads, replacing it with paid or permit-only parking. This would effectively limit meaningful access to the ocean for non-residents, low-income families, and the broader public.

Public parking along Ocean Boulevard (Route 1A) and neighboring streets is a critical gateway to the beach — it’s where families, surfers, swimmers, and visitors park before stepping onto the sand. Restricting or removing this access would make it far more difficult for people without resident permits or the ability to pay meters to reach our shoreline, thereby undermining the principle that beaches should be accessible to all.

Surfrider NH is working with local residents and advocates to:

  • Fight proposals that eliminate free parking or make public access expensive or exclusive.

  • Educate the community and decision-makers about how parking restrictions negatively impact beach access, equity, and coastal recreation.

  • Mobilize public support ahead of upcoming Town meetings and votes.

  • Ensure that any changes to parking policy protect public access first and foremost.

This campaign is rooted in Surfrider’s broader mission: defending ocean, waves, and beaches — not just physically, but in law and in practice — so that everyone, regardless of where they live or how much they can pay, can enjoy New Hampshire’s coast.

 Get involved by spreading the word, contacting local leaders, and standing up for free, fair, and equitable beach access for all. Reach out to nh@surfrider.org.

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