Rehoboth to reopen Boardwalk, beach Friday, May 15

Rehoboth Beach officials are set to reopen the beach and Boardwalk for walking and exercise by Friday, May 15. The beach and Boardwalk have been completely closed for nearly two months.

“It would be very positive for our businesses and restaurants,” said Mayor Paul Kuhns May 12, during a special commissioner meeting. 

Kuhns said Rehoboth City Manager Sharon Lynn told him it will take a few days to get the public restrooms on Rehoboth, Baltimore and Wilmington avenues ready for use. There will be no benches or swimming in the ocean, he said.

“I’m hoping there’s not going to be a wild crowd, but we’ll see this weekend,” said Kuhns, noting the predicted 80-degree weekend forecast.

As part of the opening, visitors will be asked to practice social distancing and wear face masks, said Kuhns.

Rehoboth Beach Police Chief Keith Banks suggested the beach and Boardwalk should be open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; commissioners agreed. Per city code, Banks said bicycles would have have to be off the Boardwalk by 10 a.m.

The reopening of the beach and Boardwalk will occur just one day before the Reopen Delaware demonstration scheduled for Saturday, May 16.

The commissioners also agreed to postpone turning on parking meters and permit enforcement until at least Friday, May 29. Both were scheduled to go into effect Friday, May 22.

Commissioners have scheduled another meeting about reopening the city for 10 a.m., Friday, May 15.