The Public’s Radio — Advocates for shoreline access in RI score victory in Narragansett

Point Judith in Narragansett.
PHOTO BY STEVE MELIDOSSIAN

By Alex Nunes — Officials in Narragansett are taking several steps towards improving shoreline access in the Point Judith section of town.

The Narragansett Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to take down stretches of no parking signs within an area of the Point Judith section of town that’s popular with surfers, pursue ways to create safer parking in that area, and begin scrutinizing nearby rights of way, with the possibility of widening them and adding vehicle spaces.

The streets affected by the changes are Pilgrim, Louise, and Conant Avenues. No parking signs will come down on one side of each street after a new ordinance is written and officially approved by the town council, said Jesse Pugh, the council president.

The town will also explore options for installing crushed stone in the area to provide more stable parking, and begin examining the rights of way at the end of Conant and Pilgrim.

Pugh said the vote demonstrates the town is taking seriously its obligation to protect the public’s access to the shore, as guaranteed by the Rhode Island Constitution.

“We're going to do whatever we can to make sure that there's a decent amount of parking around rights of way, so it's truly accessible, and not just symbolic,” he said.

…