Scarborough State Beach

Growing up in "The Ocean State," I have countless memories of taking day trips to the beach with my family. As a part of a small town, it was well-known which beaches were considered best in the state and which were not. As a child, I remember hearing constant praise about the beautiful Scarborough State Beach. It had trails with tall grasses, scenic views from mountainous rocks, and beautiful rushing waves. The shoreline, clean sand, and bright air were perfect for photos and it was THE visiting place of the summer. As I became a teenager, I watched this reputation slowly become soiled along with the beach. What once was a lovely location is now spotted with piles of litter, made smaller with years of aggressive erosion. A puddle of dirty water had appeared at the start of the trails and as I became an adult, it mirrored my growth. It is now a giant puddle of brown water that gives off a disgusting scent, making most visitors turn away. If you mention spending the day at Scarborough to a member of my town, they will scrunch their nose at you in repulsed surprise. The rest of the beaches throughout Rhode Island are not far behind.