BARRINGTON - A gray mini-van became the first vehicle to park legally along Nayatt Point.

On Friday morning, Providence resident Lou DeIorio pulled his Dodge Caravan into a newly-created parking spot at the northern tip of Nayatt Road. The two parking spaces — which are located at the entrance to a public right-of-way — were approved by officials from Coastal Resources Management Council and built by Barrington Department of Public Works employees.

Mr. DeIorio seemed the perfect fit for the spots. For years, Mr. DeIorio has petitioned for parking at the end of Nayatt Road. The town picked up the battle from the avid fisherman and a Superior Court judge recently ruled in favor of allowing parking. That decision denied a motion made by neighboring residents to keep the area without on-street parking. The residents are currently considering filing an appeal.

That information was far from Mr. DeIorio as he stood next to his caravan Friday morning.

"I'm just so happy," he said. "We've worked so hard for this. It's really been worth it."

On Friday morning crews from the town cleared enough space to allow for two cars. They also sunk three wooden posts to restrict motorists from pulling too far down the right of way path. They dropped rocks into a hole near the parking area and, according to Mr. DeIorio, have plans to spread seashells.

"It's going to look really nice," he said.

According to Barrington Town Manager Peter DeAngelis, officials from CRMC reviewed a plan submitted by the town for parking at Nayatt Point. Town officials submitted four parking plans to CRMC. Option C, a proposal to create two parking spots off the Nayatt Road cul-de-sac directly in front of the right-of-way, was finally accepted.

Mr. DeAngelis worked closely with CRMC's Kevin Cute and a representative from the Saltwater Anglers Association. Mr. DeAngelis submitted the letter on Aug. 19 and received the response from CRMC on Sept. 3.

— Josh Bickford