Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Will Have Free Public Restrooms This Summer

As summer creeps closer and closer, the town of Old Orchard Beach, Maine, will once again come to life. The seasonal shops will ready their wares, the restaurants and ice cream shops will have their food ready to go, and the carnival games and rides will once again be singing. But this summer, another change will be music to the ears of beachgoers, more free public bathrooms.

According to Saco Bay News, one of the busiest and easiest-to-access public restrooms in Old Orchard Beach has been a pain point for the last few years. Visitor complaints have skyrocketed over the 50 cent fee to use the bathroom on West Grand Avenue. The fee was initially put into place to cover the costs of a regular bathroom attendant.

Several issues began to change the town officials' minds when it came to the fee. As more and more people travel without cash and use credit cards or digital currency for payments, a cash fee seemed archaic. Additionally, there had been some late night confrontations between intoxicated patrons and bathroom attendants that the town would rather avoid.

Old Orchard Beach also wants to avoid the unfortunate circumstances that led to people using anywhere and everywhere to relieve themselves several years ago.

The public restroom at West Grand Avenue will join several other already free public restrooms that can be found throughout Old Orchard Beach. All these public restrooms are owned by the town. Any privately owned restrooms may still ask for a fee per usage.