Penfield Beach, 3.5 acres in size and located at 323 Fairfield Beach Road, is one of six beaches in town and includes two pavilions that residents and non-residents can rent for private parties.
Penfield Beach also includes boat launches, sailboat racks, changing rooms, a food concession and a playground.
Penfield Beach is free and open to the public, but people who park their cars there must have a beach sticker from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
Beach stickers for Penfield Beach, which also include the other four Long Island Sound beaches, South Benson Marina and the town dump, cost $20 for people who have a motor vehicle registered in Fairfield. If that person is at least 62 years old or permanently disabled, the beach sticker is free. The beach sticker is also free if a person has a car registered in Fairfield and wants only a beach sticker for Penfield Beach.
Beach stickers for Penfield Beach, the other four Long Island Sound beaches in town, South Benson Marina and the town dump cost $20 for people who are permanent residents of Fairfield with sole access to an out-of-town company car.
People who do not have a car registered in Fairfield, but who own real estate in Fairfield, can get a beach sticker for Penfield Beach, the other four Long Island Sound beaches and South Benson Marina for $55.
Current and former town employees who do not have a car registered in Fairfield can get a beach sticker for Penfield Beach, the other four Long Island Sound beaches and South Benson Marina for $45.
People who do not have a car registered in Fairfield and who do not meet the exceptions listed above can get a beach sticker for Penfield Beach and Jennings Beach for $135.
Daily parking rates at Penfield Beach (for those without beach stickers) are $15 on weekdays and $25 on weekend days and holidays.
Penfield Beach has eight lifeguards during peak times in the summer.
Dogs and horses, accompanied by their owners, are allowed on the beach from Oct. 1 to March 31. Dogs must be leashed, and people must clean up after their dogs and horses, according to the Parks and Recreation Department's regulations.
The cost to rent Penfield I Pavilion, which includes seating for 225 people but no kitchen facilities, is $500 for residents and $900 for non-residents, from May 29 to Sept. 6. The facility rents daily from 8 p.m. to midnight.
The cost to rent the Jacky Durrell Pavilion, which includes seating for 125 people and full kitchen facilities, is $800 for residents and $1,200 for non-residents, from April 16 to Oct. 10. This pavilion rents from noon to 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; and from noon to 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. Afternoon parties cannot be held during the months of July and August.
Evening parties at either pavilion that include alcohol require hiring a Fairfield police officer for four hours at an additional cost of $228.