There has been controversy over maintaining the endangered piping plover population in the Scarborough Beach region. This has lead to some more restrictive beach rules over the warmer months. April 1 to Labor Day there are restricted areas for the protection of piping plovers. See individual beach rules. May 15 to Labor Day – non-restricted areas allow off-leash play – sunrise to 9 a.m. with voice control and leash on-hand. On-leash only 5 p.m. to sunset. Follow posted beach signs and respect the restricted beach areas. Scarboroughmaine.org has the animal control ordinance with the latest updates and you should always read the posted beach signs. RESTRICTED AREAS: April 1 to Labor Day for piping plovers – no dogs allowed on the area of Ferry Beach starting at the south end of municipal parking lot and extending south to Ferry Rock and to the southeast for the full length of Western Beach. Follow restricted area signs. TAIL-WAGGING FEATURES: Ferry Beach is a soft, sandy beach where dogs can kick up their heels along the shores of the Scarborough River channel, with views across to Pine Point Beach. Ferry Beach joins Western Beach, which continues all the way to the south side of Prout’s Neck. All of Western Beach is off limits to dogs during piper plover nesting season.