Jennings Beach, 27 acres and located at 880 South Benson Road, is the largest of the six beaches in town and is traditionally the place where residents go to view the 4th of July fireworks display.
Jennings Beach is free and open to the public, but people who drive there must have a beach sticker to park their cars from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
Jennings Beach also has a new skate park that features twists and turns, a pyramid, a quarter pipe, camel humps, a pole jam, a railing and a sidewalk with waves on it. The skate park is recommended for people who are at least 10 years old, and helmets and pads are required. Admission to the skate park is free, but people must either pay a fee or have a beach sticker to park their cars there.
Jennings Beach also includes boat launches, sailboat racks, a food concession and a playground and is a venue for swimming lessons, sailing lessons and volleyball.
Beach stickers for Jennings Beach and 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.
Beach stickers for Jennings Beach and the other four Long Island Sound beaches, as well as South Benson Marina and town dump, cost $20 for people who are permanent residents in town and who have sole use of an out-of-town company car.
Beach stickers for Jennings Beach and the other four Long Island Sound beaches and South Benson Marina cost $55 for people who own real estate in town but whose cars are registered out-of-town.
Beach stickers for Jennings Beach and the other four Long Island Sound beaches and South Benson Marina cost $45 for current and former town employees.
People who do not have a motor vehicle registered in town and who do not meet the exceptions listed above can get a beach sticker for Jennings Beach and Penfield Beach for $135.
Daily parking rates at Jennings Beach (for those without beach stickers) are $15 on weekdays and $25 on weekend days and holidays.
Jennings Beach has 12 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 do not have to be leashed while on Jennings Beach, but they do have to be under the control of their owners. People must clean up after their dogs and horses, according to the Parks and Recreation Department's regulations.
Jennings Beach is the only public beach where bonfires are permitted subject to approval from the Fairfield fire marshal. Alcohol is not permitted at bonfires.