New parking rules around Cape Elizabeth’s ‘secret beach’ spark outcry, protest

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • June 30, 2026

Town restrictions on parking near Cliff House Beach in Cape Elizabeth, which went into effect in March, have prompted nonresidents who visit the beach to stage an “Occupy Cliff House” protest next month. “It’s a public beach,” Lexi Shorey said. “It should feel public.” Nonresidents now have to walk up to a half mile to access the beach. Only Cape Elizabeth residents – determined by a municipal recycling sticker – are permitted to park on about 20 side streets on either side of this section of Shore Road between May 1 and Oct. 1, significantly reducing the parking options for out-of-towners who want to access the beach.